Growth Factors: Indications, Products, and Markets

Growth factors are gene products that play important roles in the regulation of cell division and tissue proliferation. Generally, the binding of a growth factor to its receptor initiates or, in some cases, blocks the ability of cells to divide and multiply. The nature and mode of action of these substances have made them of great interest in various therapeutic areas for which efficacy and specificity must go hand in hand.

This report analyzes the world markets for growth factors, focusing on the current and future markets for drugs used to promote the growth of tissue, organs, and blood vessels as well as those used in adjunctive cancer therapy, hepatitis C, and other indications.

Market forecasts are based on an examination of current market conditions and on investigations into the development of new products by key companies. This information is also weighted with the projected timing and the probability of receiving FDA and other regulatory approval to market products. Data points include estimates of global market size and growth for blood and tissue growth factors; competitive market share for categories such as erythropoietins, colony-stimulating factors, interleukins, interferons, wound growth factors, and neurotrophic growth factors; and geographic breakdown for four world regions.

In addition, the report generally reviews the nature and direction of research and profiles several companies involved in marketing or developing such products in the field, including Amgen, Chiron, Genentech, Johnson and Johnson, Stryker Biotech, and Wyeth, among others.

Interviews conducted with company executives, clinicians, researchers, and public health officials form the basis of the conclusions. In addition, information was gathered from company product literature and other corporate brochures and documents, as well as information found in the scientific literature, trade press, government databases, and regulatory filings.