Women’s Infertility - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016

25 May 2010 • by Natalie Aster

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

The Women’s Infertility Market is Estimated to Decline until 2016

GlobalData estimates that the global women’s infertility market was valued at $1.08 billion in 2009 and is forecast to decline at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10% to reach $520m by 2016. The decline in market growth is primarily due to strong market competition and the entry of generics. Some key branded products such as Cetrotide, GONAL-f, Crinone, Ovidrel, Luveris, Pergoveris and Puregon are going to face severe threats from generics as they approach patent expiry between 2010 and 2015. Although the incidence and prevalence of the condition are increasing, the reducing drug prices are allowing the market to decline.

Current Treatment Options Cater to Most of the Market Needs

GlobalData finds that the women’s infertility market is highly competitive with highly successful branded drugs and generics. The market is dominated by some key therapies such as clomiphene citrate, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), and follicle stimulating hormones. All of the therapies that are available to treat infertility in women are highly efficacious and safe. The current drugs serve almost all of the available opportunities in the market and therefore leave low unmet needs.

Women’s Infertility Drug Development Landscape is Highly Competitive

The market is highly competitive, with Merck Serono and Ferring Pharmaceuticals dominating the market with the highest number of marketed products. GlobalData predicts that Merck Serono SA, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and PregLem SA will become the leading competitors in the global women’s infertility market. The current competitive landscape is populated with more than 10 branded dugs and few generics, which are significantly strong.

Weak Pipeline Candidates Raise Little Hope for the Women’s Infertility Market

GlobalData’s analysis shows that products for women’s infertility in the developmental pipeline are weak with 16 molecules in various phases of clinical development, including three first-in-class molecules. The women’s infertility pipeline lacks innovation and the development of first-in-class molecules with better safety and efficacy profiles. The pipeline includes GnRH antagonists, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonists, luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulators and beta-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of infertility in women.