(Posted By: Josi Creek)
BioTrends is pleased to announce the publication of a new syndicated report,TreatmentTrends: Multiple Sclerosis.
This report covers the use of disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the
treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as attitudes and
perceptions toward these products, advantages and disadvantages, ideal
patient types, barriers to growth and expected future use. In addition,
respondents were queried about their awareness of and interest in MS
products in development.
The study, based on feedback gathered in an on-line survey completed by 100 neurologists in March 2010,
found that among the disease modifying agents available, Biogen Idec's
Tysabri had the highest percent of neurologists indicating a recent
increase in use. However, fear of PML is noted as a leading obstacle to
expanded use of the product by 80% of the respondents. Furthermore,
patients on Tysabri are significantly more likely to be given a drug
holiday compared to other brands and this is usually at the direction of
the neurologist as opposed to patient request.
Neurologist
uptake for Extavia, Novartis's recently launched interferon B-1b, has
been reserved with only about one-third of the survey respondents
reporting trial. As expected, the majority of neurologists surveyed
view Extavia as interchangeable with Bayer's Betaseron. Contact rates
for Extavia lagged the other DMA brands and the main message recalled by
called-on neurologists was centered on cost/insurance coverage for
Extavia. Extavia share is expected to increase significantly for
patients with Relapsing Remitting MS in the next six months where Rebif
is projected to decline for this patient group.
Another
change in practice noted by neurologists is the trial and adoption of
Acorda's Ampyra (dalfampridine), a newly approved agent for improvement
of walking in patients with MS. At one month post launch, over
one-third of the neurologists reported use of the product with more than
half of the non-users anticipating trial in the next six months.
Projected share estimated suggest that Ampyra could potentially be used
in about one-third of neurologists' MS population. The uptake in
Ampyra will be explored further in LaunchTrends: New Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis, a three wave report series which will be available beginning in May 2010.
Oral
formulations, along with improved efficacy and reduced disability
progression, were identified as the greatest needs for new MS agents.
Among nine therapies in development that were profiled in the research,
interest was rated highest for Novartis's Gilenya and EMD Serono's
Movectro. More than one-quarter of the respondents indicated that
Gilenya would likely be the product to offer the greatest value to their
practice.
Labels: Ampyra, Aubagio, Betaseron, Extavia, Gilenya, Rebif, Tysabri
