Abstract
Market Prospects of Inhalable Drugs Depend on their Ability to Establish Safety Levels
The new technology of inhalable insulin is capturing patient interest with its valuable benefit of doing away with the hassle of injecting insulin three to four times a day. Several drug delivery companies have started developing this patient-friendly technology, which is currently in Phase III of clinical trials. However, manufacturers will have to establish its long-term safety for securing approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This move is necessary because during the trials, severe side effects such as pulmonary thrombosis and inability of the lungs to absorb enough insulin in the long term were identified.
This Frost & Sullivan research service examines the U.S emerging insulin drug delivery technologies markets and discusses the various trends and opportunities in the drug delivery market. It also provides market drivers, restraints, challenges, and strategic recommendations to overcome the challenges. The study is segmented into markets for injectable insulin, insulin pump, non-invasive technologies such as oral, buccal, and inhalable insulin, and other emerging technologies.
Changing Consumer Preference Drives Product Development in Invasive Technology Segment
Non-invasive technologiesf booming popularity has compelled manufacturers in the invasive technology arena to focus on easy drug administration for patient convenience through enhanced technological innovation. Insulin syringe manufacturers are producing finer and thinner needles to enhance compliance while insulin pen manufacturers are introducing newer and improved versions of insulin pens. "The increased sophistication and discreetness of the pens are attracting many users and thereby, driving revenue," says the analyst.
Jet injector companies are also improving their technology so that they cause minimal pain during drug delivery. The newer trend is to use pain morphine, which not only prevents injury to the patient but also reduces pain. Insulin pumps are also working on the higher convenience factor and seeing improved demand with the introduction of more advanced pumps that have to be monitored only once in two to three days. Greater product awareness and physician education about the efficacy of these products are important if these devices are to compete effectively against a host of new non-invasive products such as buccal insulin, oral tablets, and inhalable insulin.
Non-invasive Technology Can Exploit Revenue Potential
Once non-invasive technology is approved by the FDA for commercial introduction, it is likely to eat into the revenue of the syringe market. If the inhalable technology is launched in 2006 as expected, 2.5 percent of the total diagnosed diabetic population is likely to use this technology that year. This is projected to increase to over half a million patients in 2010. "Such remarkable growth is anticipated due to participantsf proposed strategy of using strong eguerilla marketingf to create product awareness," remarks the analyst.
Promotional campaigns on such a large scale can be conducted only by large manufacturers since they have the required resources for aggressive awareness and promotional campaigns. The involvement of large manufacturers in the non-invasive market is expected to give the products another marketable advantage of reliability. A huge and continuously increasing population of Type II diabetics is also likely to ensure that the revenue stream for non-invasive market does not deplete soon.
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