Anti-Obesity Treatments 2007-2012 - A blockbuster target market

“By 2010, almost 50 percent of children in North America and 38 percent of those in the European Union will be overweight, researcher has found”. For pharmaceutical companies looking to target growing successful markets, the anti-obesity drug treatment market offers unique opportunities.

This high-level management report examines the commercial prospects for anti-obesity prescription drugs in the global healthcare market. With obesity now the most common nutritional disorder in western industrialised countries, is your company' s pipeline showing the potential blockbuster the market offers? Obesity in the US and Europe has already reached high levels, with obesity being described as an epidemic and a "public health time-bomb". Government funding continues to increase, especially in the most seriously affected areas - the US and Europe.

The U.S. health panel' s rejection of Sanofi-Aventis' obesity drug Zimulti however has cast a shadow over other experimental products in the same class while offering a stark reminder of challenges facing the development of weight-loss medications. The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Wednesday unanimously recommended Zimulti not be approved because of concerns it may increase suicidal thinking and depression. The FDA is expected to make a final decision by July 26.

Obesity is an major risk factor for serious, chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. In addition, obese people are more likely to suffer from psychological problems and a poorer quality of life in general. The increase in obesity during recent decades involves a complex interplay of environmental, social, economic, genetic and behavioural factors. Its most prominent causes include unhealthy modern diets - high in sugars and fats - and reduced physical activity.

New drugs in the field have the potential to treat a range of conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, with high potential revenues and life cycle benefits. Visiongain concludes that the commercial opportunities for anti-obesity medications are significant, predicting multi-billion revenues for the anti-obesity segment by early next decade. Nevertheless, there are many hurdles that market participants will have to overcome, particularly convincing healthcare authorities and practitioners that the drugs have adequate efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Anti-Obesity Treatments 2007-2012, examines the market for anti-obesity drugs critically, through comprehensive primary and secondary research. In addition to consultation with experts in medical practice, academia and industry, this research involved a detailed study of policy documents, industrial reports and relevant news. Importantly, visiongain also applied techniques such as financial forecasting, SWOT analyses and qualitative projections. The result is a comprehensive market-based report with detailed analysis and informed opinion.

In particular, Anti-Obesity Treatments 2007-2012 concentrates on the following essential aspects of the market:

• Overview of treatments in the anti-obesity sector
• Key industrial players in anti-obesity treatments
• Forecast of the world anti-obesity market from 2007-2012, including forecasts of the leading therapeutic agents
• Forecasts for anti-obesity sales in the seven leading national pharmaceutical markets, including forecasted prevalence of obesity in those countries
• Drivers and opportunities in the anti-obesity drug market
• Restraints and threats in the anti-obesity drug market
• Key opinions from experts in the healthcare sector, academia and medical practice
• Coverage of pipeline developments in the anti-obesity sector

Why you should buy this report:

• To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for anti-obesity treatments from 2007-2012
• To discover predicted revenues, growth rates and other key metrics for anti-obesity treatments from 2006-2011
• To receive the views of experts in the field of obesity and metabolic syndrome
• To determine the forces that influence the market for anti-obesity treatments:
  • Competitive characteristics of the market
  • Drivers
  • Restraints
  • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• To find out where the anti-obesity sector is heading - both technologically and commercially

The market for anti-obesity drugs has proved far more difficult to conquer than most companies expected. In 2006, that market segment generated sales of over $1300m worldwide. There have been problems in marketing products, with concerns over safety and efficacy having a negative impact on sales. There have been major disappointments, but important commercial opportunities remain.

Visiongain predicts that the anti-obesity market will exhibit strong growth in revenues from 2007-2012, with significant investments being made by far-sighted companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Although sales have been only modest so far, anti-obesity drugs will increasingly gain acceptance from stakeholders in healthcare. High revenues should then be possible over the coming years, with at least one blockbuster product emerging by 2012.

The period 2007-2012 is a very exciting and decisive period in the development of anti-obesity drugs. Some experts predict that anti-obesity drugs will eventually work as reliably as anti-hypertensives and lipid regulators. There are significant opportunities for companies in providing safe and effective drugs that help patients with short- and long-term weight loss/management. Far-sighted companies are already investing in the high potential of the anti-obesity market.

Clearly, obesity is going to remain a leading health problem for decades to come. It is inevitable, however, that progress will be made in treating that often-recalcitrant condition. There lies one of the most important challenges for the pharmaceutical industry, in conjunction with healthcare authorities, since the lives of millions depend upon progress in treatments.