Dealmaking and Industry Outlook: Antivirals

Abstract

Introduction

The infamous mutability of viruses has long challenged antiviral drug developers, but complete genome sequences are now known for thousands of viruses, and the viral proteins encoded in these sequences are being used as targets for novel antiviral development. Viruses originated early during the evolution of life and have survived by their ability to mutate key genetic sequences in order to evade the defense systems of their hosts. However, the last 30 years have seen great strides in elucidating the link between viruses and the development and treatment of human diseases. In this report, we evaluate the landscape for antiviral drugs, including antivirals on the market and those in clinical development. We assess novel mechanisms of action, recent deals, industry- shaping events, and market drivers all of which are important in shaping company business strategies.

Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy

• Human viruses exist in many different forms and genetic types. What types of viruses exist? What novel mechanisms of action are being exploited in the development of antivirals? What novel fi rst-in-class antivirals are in development?
• Life-cycle management strategies are very important in the antivirals industry. What are the major antiviral franchises? What strategies are these companies using to maintain their market dominance? Why are combination drugs so important?
• The HIV antiretroviral market is dynamic and competitive, comprising more than two dozen agents from six classes. What are the most pressing needs in HIV antivirals? What are the promising emerging therapies? How will the market share of different classes of HIV antivirals change in the near term?
• Because of the side effects of interferon and ribavirin therapies, responses occur in only approximately 40-50% of U.S. patients infected with HCV (genotype 1). What novel HCV therapies are in development? What is Bristol-Myers Squibb' s three-pronged approach to HCV?
• Pfi zer' s Research Technology Center' s CSO Arthur M. Krieg, M.D., says RNAi is �gpotentially a transformational technology for biopharma that makes it worthy of aggressive investment.�h What RNA-based antivirals are in development? What RNA-based deals took place recently?

Scope

• Viruses: 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine, viral genome sequences, viral targets, human immunodefi - ciency virus type 1 and type 2, herpesviruses, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, varicella zoster virus, human papillomavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, infl uenza virus A and B.
• Antiviral markets: Total market size, major franchises, best-selling brands, major companies, blockbuster antivirals, promising HCV antivirals, promising HIV antivirals, fi rst-in-class antivirals in development, emerging markets, swine fl u antivirals.
• Technologies: Biologics, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, vaccines, small-molecule drugs, RNA-based therapeutics, RNA interference, microRNAs, antisense, pro-drugs, nucleoside analogues, follow-ons, ribozymes, genetically altered stem cells, cell-delivered gene therapy.
• Mechanisms of action: Polymerase inhibitors, nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), neuraminidase inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), fusion inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, RNA antagonists, oligonucleotide antagonists.
• Strategies: Life-cycle management, fi xed-dose combinations, pegylation, overcoming drug resistance, drug cocktails, market drivers, novel drug classes.
• Dealmaking: RNA-based deals, a $1.1 billion megadeal, copromotion, upfront payments, milestones, profi t sharing, codevelopment, novel interferons, human proof-of-concept, options.

Mentioned in This Spectrum Report

• Companies and organizations
  • Abbott
  • Actelion
  • Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
  • Arrow Therapeutics
  • Astellas Pharma
  • AstraZeneca
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Conatus Pharmaceuticals
  • Cowen and Company
  • Cubist Pharmaceuticals
  • Debiopharm
  • Genentech
  • Gilead Sciences
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Hemispherx Biopharma
  • Human Genome Sciences
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Kyowa Hakko Kirin
  • Lumavita
  • MedImmune
  • Merck & Co.
  • Metabasis Therapeutics
  • Migenix
  • Myriad Genetics
  • National Center for Biotechnology Information
  • Novartis
  • Oncolys BioPharma
  • Oxford University
  • Panacos Pharmaceuticals
  • Penn Medicine
  • Pfi zer
  • Pfi zer Research Technology Center
  • Progenics Pharmaceuticals
  • Ranbaxy Laboratories
  • Roche
  • Sangamo BioSciences
  • Santaris
  • Schering-Plough
  • Tacere Therapeutics
  • TaiMed Biologics
  • Tanox
  • United Therapeutics
  • University of California Los Angeles
  • University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania Health System
  • ViroPharma
  • Virostatics
  • VIRxSYS
  • ZymoGenetics