Abstract
The market for antidepressive drugs is the largest segment of the CNS sector
with global sales of US$16.2 billion in 2005. Find out more in this chapter of
CNS Drug Discoveries.
The market for antidepressive drugs is the largest segment of the CNS sector
with global sales of US$16.2 billion in 2005, and annual growth of 2% year on
year. This is a saturated market where a number of generics have been launched
and eroded the market share of leading brands. This chapter focuses on the
ways in which companies have optimised the life-cycle of their products
through new formulations, combination and new products in order to protect
their franchises. It looks at the changing dynamics in the marketplace and
evaluates how effective the launch of Cymbalta (Eli Lilly), and Wellbutrin XL
(GSK), have been.
It is estimated that depression affects over 18.8 million US citizens and over
121 million people worldwide, with approximately 20% of the global population
at risk of developing major depression at some point in their lives. Women are
almost twice as likely to suffer from depression as men (9.5% versus 5.8%),
but prevalence figures vary from country to country. Depression costs the US
economy an estimated US$44 billion each year and the WHO predicts depression
will become the leading cause of disability by the year 2020.
Global depression market
The global market for antidepressants is unevenly distributed. In 2005, the US
antidepressant market accounted for 66% of the global market compared to 23%
in Europe and 11% rest of world (largely Japan).
We believe the depression market is now saturated as numerous formulations,
combinations and generics are available. In order for new products to
capitalise on this market they will have to demonstrate improvements in the
efficacy, speed of onset, safety/tolerability of drugs and a reduction in
remission rates and relapse/recurrence.
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