Psoriatic Arthritis

Pharmacor -- May 2007

  Introduction:

The market for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) therapies has recently undergone a dramatic transformation. Prior to 2002, no drugs had received FDA approval for the indication; in the years since, three biologic agents have emerged. Despite the advent of biologic therapy for PsA, the disease remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and poorly understood.

  Questions Answered in This Report:

Three TNF-alpha inhibitors, Abbott/Eisai’s Humira, Amgen/Wyeth/Takeda’s Enbrel, and Centocor/Schering-Plough/Tanabe’s Remicade, are currently marketed for the treatment of PsA. What attributes drive physicians’ selection of agents in this key drug class?

Two TNF-alpha inhibitors, Centocor/Schering-Plough/Tanabe/Janssen’s golimumab and UCB’s Cimzia, will launch during the forecast period of 2005-2015. How will these emerging agents compete with established TNF-alpha inhibitors?

Interviewed thought leaders cite a need for additional treatment options with novel mechanisms of action. Will emerging agents satisfy the need for a more diverse treatment armamentarium?

  Scope:

Markets: United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Japan.

Primary research: 40 country-specific interviews with thought leaders.

Epidemiology: Diagnosed prevalence of psoriatic arthritis.

Emerging therapies: Phase II: 3 drugs; Phase III: 1 drug.