Brands & Strategies: Psoriasis

Introduction

Biologic therapies have had a major impact on the psoriasis market since the first such agent was approved by the FDA in 2003. In the moderate-to-severe psoriasis market, biologic agents alone totaled over $900 million in 2006. The psoriasis market is currently dominated by two classes of biologic agents: TNF-alpha inhibitors (Amgen/Wyeth/Takeda' s Enbrel and Centocor/Schering-Plough/Tanabe' s Remicade) and T-cell modulators (Genentech/Merck Serono' s Raptiva, Astellas Pharmaceutical' s Amevive). Several new agents are set to enter the market during the 2005-2010 such as Abbott Laboratories/Eisai' s Humira, a fully-human TNF-alpha inhibitor with highly competitive efficacy, Centocor' s CNTO-1275, the first interleukin inhibitor in the psoriasis market, and Isotechnika' s voclosporine, a small-molecule analogue of cyclosporine with reportedly a much better safety profile. The launch of these drugs will impact both currently available therapies and expand the share of patients treated with branded agents.

Questions Answered in This Report

• Enbrel is the undisputed leader of the moderate-to-severe psoriasis market because dermatologists are comfortable with the agent' s safety profile and efficacy, patients have responded well to the therapy, and third-party payers have granted the drug more favorable reimbursement than its peers. How have Amgen and Wyeth secured such a dominant market share for Enbrel? What strategies have shown success in the psoriasis market?
• Dermatologists have been cautious in their uptake of biologic agents due to concerns over potential safety risks and the high cost of the drugs. Amevive, the first biologic to market, was sold by Biogen Idec to Astellas Pharmaceuticals in 2006 due to disappointing sales. What do physicians identify as the key attributes of currently marketed agents? What are the perceived advantages and/or disadvantages of emerging therapies versus available therapies?
• On April 2, 2007, Abbott Laboratories filed regulatory submissions with the FDA and EMEA seeking approval for the company' s monoclonal antibody Humira in the moderate-to-severe psoriasis indication. What is Abbott doing to position Humira in the psoriasis market in advance of its anticipated approval? How will Enbrel and other agents be affected by Humira' s launch and uptake?
• TNF-alpha inhibitors currently are the gold-standard for psoriasis therapy; however, Centocor' s highly anticipated IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor CNTO-1275 has the potential to radically change the market on the strength of hitherto unseen efficacy. Other companies also have agents in their pipelines with novel mechanisms of action. What products are being developed in the major competitors' pipelines? How will CNTO-1275 perform if it is approved to treat psoriasis?
• Psoriasis is part of a broader set of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions with similar pathophysiologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. These diseases can be best treated with biologic agents and some pharmaceutical companies are increasingly organizing therapeutic areas around this opportunity. How does psoriasis fit into the wider autoimmune and inflammatory therapeutic areas of companies in the market? What strategies are being pursued to achieve success in this treatment area?

• Markets Covered: United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Japan.
• Competitive Analysis: Detailed discussion of major competitors including Amgen, Wyeth, Genentech, Merck Serono, Centocor, Schering-Plough, Abbot Laboratories, and Astellas Pharmaceuticals in addition to the emerging competitor Isotechnika. Included is an analysis of each company' s autoimmune and inflammatory product portfolio, strategic positioning, and development pipeline. The report features an in-depth discussion of leading brands including approval history, sales and market position, SWOT analysis, and on-going life cycle management initiatives.
• Physician Perception of Key Brands: Analysis of physician perceptions of the psoriasis market based on a custom survey of over 50 US-based dermatologists. The survey is brand-focused and examines physician perceptions of key competitors, brand attributes, and uptake of emerging agents.
• Epidemiology: Total prevalent and diagnosed cases for each of the major markets are presented in an annualized forecast from 2005 to 2010.
• Market Forecast: Annualized sales forecasts for branded agents presented by region, drug class, molecule, and brand for 2005 to 2010, including the uptake of new agents.