Glaucoma - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016

13 Apr 2010 • by Natalie Aster

GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist’s new report, “Glaucoma - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016” is an essential source of information and analysis on the global Glaucoma market. The report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the market, and provides insight on the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to bring a significant shift in the market positioning of the existing market leaders. Most importantly, the report provides valuable insight on the pipeline products within the global glaucoma market.

The Glaucoma Market Is Forecast to Show a Decline in Growth Rate Due to a String of Patent Expiries

The glaucoma market is predicted to witness major revenue depletion over the next few years due to a string of patent expiries. Pfizer’s Xalatan (latanoprost) is the most prescribed drug for the treatment of glaucoma. However, in January 2010, Xalatan accounted for about 27% of the total US prescription share for glaucoma, compared to 30% of the US prescription share in the previous year. GlobalData’s analysis suggests that although generics of Xalatan are expected to enter the market by 2010, the impact on sales will only be felt during or after 2011. In addition, in January 2010, Cosopt (marketed by Merck) accounted for only 0.8% of the total US prescription glaucoma market, compared to 10% in October 2008 due to the launch of generics. Thus a drop in prescription share for products in the US markets would result in a major drop in its global revenues as the US markets generate maximum shares for prescription medicines.

Glaucoma Market is Expected to Witness Entry of Me-Too’s and Product Extensions in the Near Future

The glaucoma market will be subjected to generic erosion which could impact overall market revenues despite the increase in disease prevalence and treatment seeking rates. The interesting fact to note is that products which are expected to enter the market are either me-too’s or product extensions which will not bring about a significant improvement in terms of safety and efficacy. Therefore, the only governing factor which would drive the market would be the cost of the product. As a result generics are predicted to govern the market for glaucoma drugs over the next few years. The Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 2001 to 2009 was 3.8% and is expected to nose dive to a negative CAGR between 2009 and 2016 because of the possible impact of generics entering the market.

Major Players Eyeing US market to gain Regulatory Approval

GlobalData has analyzed the current market players and their major marketing activities for product launches and promotions across global geographies. Merck’s Saflutan, which was originally acquired from Santen Pharmaceuticals in Japan has gained approval in Europe and is currently being studied for approval in the US. In April 2006, Extravan/ DuoTrav from Alcon also received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The approval of Extravan (a combination of Travatan and timolol) in the EU was expected, since the EMEA demonstrates a more lenient view of combination products compared to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the management at Alcon has declared it is not to perform any additional trials and will continue to analyze the data from previous trial results for a re-filing. GlobalData’s analysis suggests that the FDA’s relative reluctance to approve combination therapies will make it difficult for these products to enter the US market. However, an increasing number of players in the ophthalmic market are aggressively planning strategies to cash in on the untapped US and Japanese markets and this trend is likely to continue over the next few years.


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