Osteoporosis - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016

19 Mar 2010 • by Natalie Aster

GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist, has released its latest research, “Osteoporosis - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016” which provides key data, information and analysis on the osteoporosis market. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the annualized market data from 2001 to 2009, and forecasts forward seven years to 2016. The research also includes market characterization, opportunities, the unmet needs associated with osteoporosis, competitive assessment, product profiles of major marketed products and promising drugs in the pipeline, an overview on discontinued projects, implications for future market competition, and the key players of the osteoporosis market.

The Osteoporosis Therapeutics Market is Forecast to Show Significant Growth to 2016

The global osteoporosis therapeutics market was valued at $9.6 billion in 2009. It is expected to grow to $16.7 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% by 2016. This significant growth is primarily attributed to strong current treatment options as well as strong pipeline candidates. The increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis among the female population is the principal driver of the osteoporosis market and will continue to be in the future. The significant reason for the increase in prevalence is due to the decline in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in healthy postmenopausal women. HRT has been used to help prevent the bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. However, recent negative study results, showing the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots, have led to a decline in HRT usage. Therefore, population growth and the increase in the prevalent population will combine to contribute to the increased burden of osteoporosis.

Current Treatment Options are Moderately Successful in Meeting Market Demand

GlobalData has analyzed the current market landscape and found it to be strong. Antiresorptive and bone-forming drugs are the two main types of drugs which are used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen and estrogen agonists/antagonists are the major antiresorptive drugs available in the market. They include alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), ibandronate (Bonivia), zoledronic acid (Reclast) and raloxifene (Evista). The market is currently dominated by antiresorptive drugs. However, bone-building drugs are being developed by researchers and are just becoming available. Eli Lilly is the only company which has two products – Evista and Forteo in the osteoporosis market. Neither of these drugs are part of the bisphosphonate class. Forteo is the first and the only bone-forming drug available in the market.

Poor Diagnosis of the Disease is a Major Barrier for the Osteoporosis Market

The poor diagnosis of the disease is a major barrier for the osteoporosis market. One of the major reasons why osteoporosis is underdiagnosed is that most vertebral fractures are asymptomatic and therefore go unrecognized by the patient and physician. Even patients with clinically apparent fragility fractures are overlooked, with fewer than 5% of patients with osteoporotic fractures being referred for medical evaluation and treatment. The large majority of patients with fragility fractures are not referred for further evaluation and treatment. Studies have shown that older women and men with hip fractures do not receive follow-up drug treatment.

Strong Pipeline Candidates are Expected to Intensify Future Competition

GlobalData found that there are more than 130 products in different stages of development. Most of the products in clinical development are me-too. These products are a mixture of calcium modulators, cathepsin K (CTSK) inhibitor, bone-tissue resorption inhibitors and selective estrogen receptors modulators (SERM). If successfully launched, these products are expected to meet patients’ expectations. It may also lead to an intensely competitive market landscape and the existing market leaders will have to be prepared to manage this dynamic, yet challenging, scenario. The largest growth driver of the osteoporosis market is expected to be Amgen’s Prolia (denosumab), which is the first monoclonal antibody on the market.

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