Early Diagnosis And Targeted Therapy To Address Unmet Need In European Breast Cancer Therapeutics Market

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 07 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PST

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The greatest unmet need of all breast cancer patients is a cure. A variety of drugs are used to treat breast cancer in stages III and IV. However, they only act to control the progression of the disease and can be associated with side effects that can cause significant disruption to patients' quality of life. In those who respond, the tumour can be controlled for many years. However, in most cases, survival is not greatly extended. This situation is creating a real and immediate need for effective, targeted therapeutics.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), European Markets for Breast Cancer Therapeutics, finds that the market earned revenues of $1.72 billion in 2006 and estimates this to reach $2.9 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the European Markets for Breast Cancer Therapeutics, then send an e-mail to Radhika Menon Theodore, Corporate Communications, at rmtheodore@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

"Fifteen per cent of breast cancer cases are detected at a metastatic stage and approximately 50 per cent of those detected at an early stage will progress to stages III and IV," states Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sriram V. "In the advanced stages of the disease, the chances of being cured with the current therapies are bleak, opening up opportunities for improved diagnostic techniques and development of breast cancer therapeutics with a good safety profile."

Chemotherapeutic side effects present a significant challenge to the breast cancer therapeutics market. Biologics are considered to be the alternative, with a host of products anticipated to enter the market post 2008. However, clinical trials and their lengthy duration are a concern that companies should address before determining the timing of their product launch.

At present, the only commercially available offering in the biologics sector is Herceptin. A huge barrier to the widespread adoption of biologics will be the high cost of treatment. Pressure on margins and high prices due to the high cost of development may not continue for long, as prescribing trends are subject to governmental regulations and available literature.

"A single Herceptin injection is estimated to cost $3,500, while a whole course over a nine month period may cost up to $60,000" comments Sriram. "This challenge will have a limited effect in the early stages of the market, since only one biologic is currently available, but is anticipated to have a greater impact after 2008, as more biopharmaceutical products enter the global breast cancer therapeutics market."

Cancer therapeutics are the most expensive to bring to market, owing mostly to the costs involved in administering clinical trials. A potential strategy to counteract this challenge will be to attract commercial partners to support drug development and marketing. Large multinationals are comparatively receptive to such proposals if the product shows promise in the pre-clinical stages.

European Markets for Breast Cancer Therapeutics is part of the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Markets for Lung Cancer Therapeutics. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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