Commercial Insight: Antidiabetics - Billion Dollar Drugs, Pipeline Dreams?

Introduction

The diabetes epidemic has contributed to the expansion of the antidiabetics market in the past few years, and with prevalence increasing, this trend is set to continue. However, the highest selling drug classes in the market (sulfonylureas and biguanides) are now heavily genericized and will not generate the revenues required to drive this growth.

Scope of this report

• Country specific event-driven sales forecasts for 2005-14 for the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, plus a Global overview
• Patient potential and prescribing trends overview of the antidiabetics market based on historical sales data and future key events
• Examines the country and market specific issues which will impact future antidiabetic sales, including generic erosion and class switching
• Case studies demonstrating how Sanofi-Aventis built a strong insulin portfolio, and how BMS managed the Glucophage lifecycle

Research and analysis highlights

The insulin class continues to dominate the antidiabetics market, with a 37.5% share of its global sales. However, it is interesting to note that this class did not generate the greatest growth in the market. The thiazolidinediones experienced a superior growth in sales, while also accounting for the second largest portion of the market share.

In order for a company to achieve and maintain growth in this sector, the correct strategy needs to be followed. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the companies with the strongest presence in the insulin market, and Sanofi-Aventis, which is a relative newcomer, appear to follow the strategy of developing "insulin families" rather than isolated products.

Inhaled insulins are expected to play an important role in expanding the insulin market. However, whether they realize their full potential will depend on whether they deliver their promise of increased convenience and compliance.

Key reasons to read this report

• View independent, event-driven forecasts for key antidiabetic products and classes across the seven major markets
• Quantify the impact that the launch of novel antidiabetics will have to the market. Which established classes will be most severely affected?
• Identify the best strategy to build, launch and market a successful insulin portfolio. Compare the strategies followed by major companies