[email protected] +44 20 8123 2220 (UK) +1 732 587 5005 (US) Contact Us | FAQ |

Hepatitis C - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016

09 Jun 2010 • by Natalie Aster

GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist, has released a new report, “Hepatitis C – Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2016”. The report is an essential source of information and analysis on the global hepatitis C market. The report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the global Hepatitis C market. The report also provides insights into the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to cause significant shifts in the positioning of the existing market leaders. Most importantly, the report provides valuable insight into the pipeline products within the global hepatitis C sector.

Hepatitis C Market is Forecast to Show Significant Growth until 2016

GlobalData’s analysis suggests that the global hepatitis C market was worth $4.4 billion in 2009. It is forecast to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8% for the next seven years to reach $8.5 billion by 2016. The high projected growth rate is primarily attributable to a strong pipeline. The increase in the prevalence of the disease and the availability of new first-in-class therapies with better safety and efficacy profiles are expected to drive the growth of the hepatitis C market.

GlobalData analyzed the current competitive landscape for hepatitis C drugs and found that the competition is weak. There are six commonly used approved products for the treatment of hepatitis C. The combination therapy of Peginterferon alfa 2b from Merck & Co., and Peginterferon alfa 2a from Roche are the two approved combination therapies present in the market for the treatment of hepatitis C. Generics do not hold a major share in the market. GlobalData’s analysis of the entire competitive landscape of the branded products shows weak competition between the available treatments for hepatitis C. The competition is weak due to a lack of competing products for the combination therapies. The market has a huge potential for molecules with better safety and efficacy profiles.

Strong Clinical Pipeline with Several First-in-Class Molecules

GlobalData analyzed the hepatitis C pipeline and found it to be strong. The pipeline for hepatitis C consists of around 169 molecules currently in development. Most of these molecules are first-in-class and are promising better safety and efficacy profiles. There are approximately seven molecules in the Phase III clinical trial development stage. For example, SCH 503034(Merck), albinterferon alfa-2b (Human Genome Sciences, Inc.and novartis), RG7128 (Roche) and VX-950(Vertex and Tibotec pharmaceuticals) are among the most promising molecules in pipeline for the treatment of hepatitis C. A strong clinical pipeline coupled with high unmet needs in the hepatitis C market is expected to help sustain the market’s high growth rate during the forecast period.

The Hepatitis C Market Has High Unmet Need

The global hepatitis C market is attractive, with high levels of unmet need. The unmet need in the market is around 70%, which is approximately $3 billion. Some of the unmet needs in this market are due to the lack of availability of effective treatment options and the moderate safety profiles of the marketed drugs. The efficacy of the marketed products in hepatitis C market is only moderate. The safety profiles of the products available to treat hepatitis C are low and some serious side effects are associated with the drugs that may even lead to death in rare cases.

The adverse effects of the drugs include pregnancy, mental health problems, blood related disorders and autoimmune disorders. Patients using the standard interferon combination therapy to treat hepatitis C soon develop resistance against these drugs and must wait for novel therapies to enter the market. Apart from various drugs that are available for the treatment of hepatitis C, certain biosimilars like interferon alfa-2a and interferon beta-1a can also drive the hepatitis C market in future. There is huge untapped potential in the current hepatitis C market which could be captured by novel molecules, targeted to fulfill the current void left by the existing treatment options. Thus the hepatitis C market has high potential for further research and development (R&D) activities.

About GlobalData

GlobalData is an industry analysis specialist company providing business information products and services.

Our highly qualified team of Analysts, Researchers, and Solution Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, analyze and represent the latest and the most reliable information essential for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.

Analytics & News

Weekly Digest