Multiple Myeloma Therapy Market Set For “Robust” Annual Growth

The multiple myeloma drug therapy market will experience robust growth averaging 5.6% annually from 2010 to 2020 in seven of the world’s major markets, according to new projections.

Growth in these markets – US, Italy, Spain, UK, France, Germany and Japan – will be driven by additional penetration of Celgene’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) into the first-line setting and the launch of premium-priced emerging treatments, according to the study, from Decision Resources, a research and advisory firm for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues.

Despite the continued expansion of Takeda/Janssen-Cilag/Janssen’s Velcade (bortezomib) in the first-line setting, sales of Velcade will be rapidly overtaken by Revlimid’s dramatic growth, the report projects. The report also expects Revlimid’s approval in the first-line setting to aggressively erode patient share and sales for the thalidomide products – Celgene’s Thalidomide/Thalomid and Fujimoto Seiyaku’s Thaled.

In 2020, Revlimid will hold a 62% share of the total multiple myeloma market, and Revlimid and Velcade will experience growing uptake in the relapsed/refractory setting as they will be used in combination with emerging therapies, the study predicts.

Revlimid will be used in combination with Onyx Pharmaceuticals/Ono Pharmaceutical’s carfilzomib, which is expected to be accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as early as 2012, and also with Bristol-Myers Squibb/Abbott’s elotuzumab, whose launch in the US and Europe is expected for 2015.

Velcade will also experience improved uptake in combination with AEterna Zentaris/Keryx Biopharmaceuticals/Yakult Honsha’s perifosine, Merck & Co’s Zolinza (vorinostat) and Novartis’ panobinostat.

“Overall, Revlimid will emerge as the clear market leader in the multiple myeloma sector over the next decade,” commented Khurram Nawaz, Decision Resources analyst. “Velcade will remain the second highest-selling agent but will suffer from the entry of generics towards the end of the forecast period.”

“Additionally, the most commercially promising emerging therapies that are anticipated to launch for multiple myeloma – carfilzomib and Celgene’s pomalidomide – will command combined sales of nearly $800 million in 2020,” he added.

The findings also reveal that substantial opportunity lies in the development of agents that improve survival and reduce toxicities compared to currently-available agents. The launch of seven emerging therapies during the forecast period will partially fulfil the high unmet need, says Decision Resources.

Links:

www.decisionresources.com
www.pharmatimes.com

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