Asthma

Pharmacor -- June 2007

  Introduction:

Although asthma’s large patient population drives an extremely lucrative market, patients’ and physicians’ high level of satisfaction with current therapies is a daunting barrier to entry for emerging players. However, our research demonstrates that individual segments of the highly heterogeneous asthma population have distinct needs that have been met with varying degrees of success. In this report, we highlight key opportunities that remain for drug developers that are considering the asthma market.

  Questions Answered in This Report:

In 2016, there will be eight marketed agents from the class of long-acting beta2 agonist/inhaled corticosteroid combinations, compared with three in 2006. To what degree will competition in the asthma market affect sales and commercial opportunity? What drug attributes would place an emerging agent in a favorable commercial position? Which of the emerging agents is poised for the greatest commercial success?

Several high-priced, targeted biologics are expected to enter the asthma market within the next ten years. How will uptake of these agents differ among pulmonologists in the United States, Europe, and Japan? To what degree will sales of these agents impact the overall asthma market?

Most asthma drugs are delivered by inhalation with a metered-dose inhaler, a dry-powder inhaler, or a nebulizer. What importance do physicians place on delivery device? What challenges can a drug developer expect from regulatory agencies?

  Scope:

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

Primary research: 37 country-specific interviews with thought leaders.

Epidemiology: Diagnosed current prevalence, the best measure of drug-eligible asthma cases; prevalence of four subpopulations: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent asthma.

Population segments in market forecast: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent asthma.

 Emerging therapies: Phase II: 20 drugs; Phase III: 6 drugs. Coverage of 1 select preclinical and Phase I product.