Impending Generic Competition Forces Innovation In Alzheimer's Treatments

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 01 Sep 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease is expected to jump from 5 million to about 14 million in 2050. Meanwhile, several patents for Alzheimer's treatments are approaching expiration, and developers are working on innovations in anticipation of impending generic competition, according to a newly published report from Kalorama Information, "World Alzheimer's Disease Market (Incidence, Treatments, Key Companies, Pipeline and Trends)."

Demand for Alzheimer's treatments has surged over the past decade -- sales grew a healthy 17.3% annually from 2005 to 2007. Though growth is expected to continue at a strong 6.7% annual rate through 2012, this is significantly slower than before, and can be attributed to a sudden drop in growth after 2010 as a number of drugs near patent expirations and generic companies prepare to launch equivalent products. Teva, Dr. Reddy's, Ranbaxy, Mylan, Barr, Sun Pharma, Genpharm, Lupin, and Wockhardt are all expected to have generic versions of some of the world's largest Alzheimer's drugs on the market by 2010.

"Eisai's Aricept, which has the lion's share of the market, is a prime target for generic competition," notes Mellisa Elder, Kalorama Information's pharmaceutical analyst. "Its patent is still enforceable as it was granted in 1990. But Eisai has been fighting with Teva, Mutual and United Research Labs, and more court proceedings are expected."

To counter the imminent generic onslaught, several developers are offering promising innovative treatments in all phases of development, including Eisai's sustained release formulation of Aricept SR which is in phase III development. The number of new drugs in development has increased, from about 20 in 2005 to almost 60 in 2007.

Kalorama Information's report "World Alzheimer's Disease Market (Incidence, Treatments, Key Companies, Pipeline and Trends)" provides a worldwide overview of this multi-billion dollar market. A market analysis by product and region, products in development and forecasts through 2012 are included, along with a competitive analysis and key company profiles. For further information hclick here.

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent market research in the life sciences, as well as a full range of custom research services. Kalorama routinely assists the media with healthcare topics, and can provide experts to speak about markets in the life sciences industry.

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