BURLINGTON, Mass., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Decision Resources Group (DRG) finds that, for the treatment of
primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PP-MS), surveyed U.S.
neurologists would be willing to accept a certain level of risk for a
therapy with proven efficacy on disability progression, likely owing to
the absence of approved therapies for this indication. This finding is
reflected by the fact that among hypothetical therapies assessed in
DRG's conjoint analysis tool, neurologists were most receptive to an
agent with the greatest efficacy improvement over the market's sales
leading therapy, Teva's Copaxone, but which was also associated with the
greatest risk of serious or life threatening side effects.
Other
key findings from the DecisionBase report entitled Chronic-Progressive
Multiple Sclerosis: Amid Substantial Unmet Need, What Magnitude of
Efficacy and Safety Do Neurologists and Payers Expect of a
First-To-Market Therapy for Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis?:
- Unmet need: A
therapy's effect on disability progression is weighted by surveyed U.S.
and European neurologists as the most important efficacy attribute
driving prescribing decisions for the treatment of PP-MS. However,
according to available clinical data and interviewed experts' opinions,
none of the profiled current or emerging therapies are differentiated
from Copaxone on this attribute rendering it an area of high unmet need.
- Nerventra: Nearly
all surveyed U.S. neurologists would prescribe Teva's emerging product
Nerventra, with it capturing 24 percent of currently treated PP-MS
patient share. Although not yet studied in PP-MS, interest in Nerventra
stems from the product's putative neuroprotective effect, benign safety
profile to date and once-daily oral administration.
Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Emma McFadden, Ph.D.:
- "Data
suggest that surveyed U.S. managed care organization pharmacy directors
are highly receptive to novel PP-MS therapies offering even modest
improvements over Copaxone on disability progression. However, they are
sensitive to the risk profile of such agents when making formulary
decisions, with few willing to reimburse a therapy with greater than one
percent risk of serious adverse events. This reluctance is likely owing
to the high costs which can be incurred by riskier therapies, such as
by the need for patient monitoring and potential hospitalization."
- "If
proven effective in their respective ongoing PP-MS clinical trials,
Novartis's Gilenya and Roche/Genentech's ocrelizumab both have
considerable market potential. Even prior to the availability of PP-MS
clinical data, surveyed U.S. neurologists indicate that they would
prescribe these therapies to 20 percent of their currently treated PP-MS
patients."
About Decision Resources Group Decision
Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and
insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely
on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more
atwww.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.
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