New BioTrends Report Highlights The Growing Use Of Biologics Among Dermatologists And Rheumatologists In The US

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Article Date: 01 May 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The introduction of biologic agents has expanded therapeutic options for patients with Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and many other immunologic conditions. BioTrends Research Group, Inc. conducted primary market research in March 2007 with Dermatologists (n=101) and Rheumatologists (n=102) practicing in the United States to better understand how these agents are currently used in clinical practice and how that use is expected to evolve in the future. According to responses collected via an on-line survey, a majority of practitioners in both specialties expect to increase their use of biologic agents in the next six months.

Among Rheumatologists, the TNF-alpha antagonists (such as Amgen/Wyeth's Enbrel and Abbott's Humira) are expected to maintain the first line biologic position, but both Bristol Myers Squibb's Orencia and Genentech/BiogenIdec's Rituxan are expected to post market share gains as physicians become more familiar with these agents and treat more aggressively. Enbrel is the preferred biologic for the treatment of RA, but a higher percent of the surveyed Rheumatologists indicate a preference for Humira when treating PsA based on the perception that Humira has "superior skin data." Although a majority of these rheumatologists would be most likely to initiate Orencia or Rituxan after the patient had failed two TNF-alpha antagonists, 66% would consider Orencia and 48% would consider Rituxan after a DMARD failure.

Dermatologists, while overwhelmingly loyal to Enbrel, report a growing use of Abbott's Humira. Less than half of the dermatologists surveyed currently use Humira, however, in the next six months 64% expect to use the product. Furthermore, 15% of the respondents choose Humira as their preferred first line biologic to treat PsA and with a psoriasis approval expected in the next few months, use of Humira can be expected to expand further among dermatologists. Centocor's Remicade was also recently approved for its first dermatological indication and although 13% of the dermatologists expect to increase their use of Remicade, only one-third of the dermatologists are currently using the product. In-office infusion of Remicade by dermatologists will remain limited due to stocking/administering logistics, liability concerns, and reimbursement issues. Finally, use of the T-cell inhibitors (Astellas' Amevive and Genentech/Xoma's Raptiva) remains low and stagnant. Currently, more than 50% of the surveyed dermatologists do not use either of these products.

On the horizon are several new biologics such as Centocor's CNTO-148 (golimumab) and CNTO-1275, Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab), and UCB Pharma's Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and although physicians report a low level of familiarity with products in development, their interest level in new treatment options is extremely high. The ideal agent? More than half of the respondents suggest that an oral biologic, if approved, would become their preferred first line biologic.

About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. (http://www.bio-trends.com) provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufactures competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

BioTrends Research Group, Inc.
http://www.bio-trends.com

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