Neuropathic Pain - Pipeline Assessment and Market Forecasts to 2016

12 Jul 2010 • by Natalie Aster

GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist’s new report, “Neuropathic Pain - Pipeline Assessment and Market Forecasts to 2016”, is an essential source of information and analysis on the global neuropathic pain market. The report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the global neuropathic pain market. The report also provides insight into the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to bring significant shifts in the positioning of the existing market leaders. Most importantly, the report provides valuable insights into the pipeline products within the global neuropathic pain sector.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.

GlobalData estimated the global neuropathic pain market to be valued at $4.8 billion in 2008. It is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.3% from $4.8 billion in 2008 to $6.5 billion in 2015. This growth will be supported by the increase in the aging population, increased treatment seeking behavior and increased uptake of the current products. The diagnosis rate remains as one of the barriers for the growth of the market. The available treatment options are moderately successful in meeting the market demand. There is still a need for better therapy and there exists unmet needs. There exists a market potential for any new entrant that will cater for these unmet needs. There is enormous opportunity for any drug that could match or better the efficacy provided by the current players with increased safety.

GlobalData analyzed that there are over 139 molecules in various stages of the pipeline. Vimpat and Fentora are some of the pipeline candidates in the regulatory filing stage for approval. The late stage pipeline includes some promising molecules such as Ralfinamide, NP-1 and Sativex. These drugs may retain the similar efficacy and offer better safety and may benefit the patient population who cannot tolerate the available drugs. The newer therapies may intensify the existing competition and there seems to be the possibility of price war.

The Neuropathic Pain Market is Forecast to Show Modest Growth until 2016

GlobalData estimated the global neuropathic pain market to be valued at $5.5 billion in 2009. It is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 0.2% from $5.5 billion in 2009 to $5.6 billion in 2016. The neuropathic pain market is driven or supported by the ageing population, increased treatment seeking behavior and increased uptake of the current agents. A low diagnosis rate and the patent expiry of Cymbalta (Duloxetine) (2013) and Lidoderm (Lidocaine patch) (2015) act as barriers for the neuropathic pain market. Pfizer remains the market leader globally.

Competition in the Neuropathic Pain Market is Strong

GlobalData found that the current competition in the neuropathic pain market is strong, led by Pfizer’s Lyrica and Eli Lilly’s Cymbalta. There are only six drugs that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of neuropathic pain. These six drugs are Lyrica (pregabalin), Cymbalta, Neurontin (gabapentin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Lidoderm and Qutenza (capsaicin). Lyrica, Cymbalta, Lidoderm and Qutenza together will contribute to the growth of the market. Moreover, the presence of the generic Neurontin (blockbuster) has intensified the competition. Pfizer remains the market leader in the neuropathic pain market. It is followed by Eli Lilly who produces Cymbalta. There is competition between Lyrica and Cymbalta in the treatment of pain associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN).

Current Treatment Options are Moderately Successful in Meeting the Market Demand

GlobalData found that the available treatment options are moderately successful in meeting the market demand. Current therapeutics are competing to provide greater than or equal to 50% reductions in pain. A greater than or equal to 30% reduction in pain is considered to be clinically significant. Providing partial relief (a greater than or equal to 50% reduction in pain) has been the target end point for products in the market. However, there is a need for a product that can be more efficacious in reducing the pain, offering long term pain relief with better safety. There is market potential for any new entrant that will cater to these unmet needs. There is enormous opportunity for any drug that can offer better efficacy or equal the efficacy provided by the current players and provide increased safety. Neuropathic pain has various etiologies and a new entrant has diverse sections of the patient population to target. This broad patient population increases the scope for any new entrant to become the “first of its kind” for a particular type of neuropathic pain.

Newer therapies in Pipeline are Expected to Increase the Competition

GlobalData found that there are 155 molecules in various stages of the pipeline. Vimpat (lacosamide) and Fentora (fentanyl-buccal) are some of the pipeline candidates in the regulatory filing stage for approval. The late stage pipeline includes some promising molecules such as Ralfinamide, NP-1 and Sativex. There are also some promising therapies in the Phase II stage of the pipeline. These pipeline molecules differ from the existing therapies in their mechanism of action. They are likely to offer better safety. The pipeline has several drugs with new mechanisms of action, such as N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor agonists, cannabinoid receptor modulators, opioid receptor agonists, alpha-2 receptor agonists and protein kinase inhibitors.

These drugs may have similar efficacy and offer better safety, and may benefit the patient population who cannot tolerate the currently available drugs. The pipeline also has several me-too drugs, such as ion channel modulators, which are being tried. The newer therapies may intensify the existing competition and may cause a price war.

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