The Acute Ischemic Stroke Drug Market Will Experience Modest 3 Percent Annual Growth from 2010 to 2020, According to Findings from Decision Resources
Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, amid continued clinical trial failures of investigational treatments, no novel drug therapies are forecasted to launch for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) through 2020. In the AIS space, questions linger about the clinical potential of mid- and late-stage compounds, including Paion/Lundbeck's thrombolytic desmoteplase and D-Pharm's metal ion chelating neuroprotectant DP-b99, which are both in Phase III studies.
The findings from the Pharmacor topic entitled Acute Ischemic Stroke reveal that, in the absence of new pharmacotherapies, drug-treatment rates in AIS in most markets under study will increase modestly over the next ten years as use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA)/alteplase (Genentech's Activase, other brands) gradually increases, aided by a modestly-expanded treatment window. As a result of the dearth of emerging agents and a minimal increase in use of existing therapies, the AIS drug market will experience modest 3 percent annual growth from 2010 to 2020 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan.
The findings also reveal that rt-PA, the gold standard of pharmacological treatment in AIS, is administered to a tiny fraction (less than 5 percent in 2010) of diagnosed patients in the world's major pharmaceutical markets. Expanding the use of this and interventional treatments such as endovascular devices cleared for use in AIS (such as Concentric Medical's Merci Retrieval System) through infrastructure improvements and continued research will remain a primary near-term goal in the stroke field.
Additionally, neurologists agree that new directions in neurorestorative therapy offer promising and much-needed avenues for treatment. Although success in this arena is far from certain, a growing number of companies, including Stem Cell Therapeutics and Sygnis Pharma, are seeking innovative routes to stimulate neuroplasticity through growth factors. Other companies, including Aldagen, ReNeuron, Athersys, SanBio/Teijin, Celgene and Stemedica Cell Technologies are also exploring cell-based approaches to AIStherapy. In addition, PhotoThera continues to assess an innovative transcranial laser recovery device that interviewed neurologists find intriguing, although they call for clarification of its mechanism of action.
According to the findings, although an array of neuroprotectants is being evaluated in AIS, none stands out in the opinion of interviewed experts.
"Given the persistent failure of neuroprotectants in clinical trials, neurologists remain skeptical that such an agent will prove effective in AIS," said Decision Resources Analyst Jonathon Loring. "Several neuroprotective agents are in the pipeline, but experts we interviewed hold limited expectations for these therapies."
About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.
About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Contacts:
Decision Resources
Christopher Comfort, 781-993-2597
ccomfort@dresources.com
