Extavia's Launch Foreshadows Novartis' Future Intentions in the Multiple Sclerosis Market, According to Cutting Edge Information
MARKETWIRE
Feb 05, 2009RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NCMARKET WIRE
Novartis' recent launch of Extavia in Europe may not significantly alter the multiple sclerosis landscape, but it points to the entrance of a formidable new player into the market. Extavia is essentially a rebranded Betaseron, for which Novartis gained distribution rights when it acquired Chiron in 2005. Extavia's launch points to larger aspirations, however.
According to Cutting Edge Information's newly published neurodegenerative market analysis report, "Neurodegenerative Market Forecast to 2013" (http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative), Novartis plans to launch a new drug in 2010 that will eventually become a multiple sclerosis blockbuster.
Novartis' fingolimod, an immunomodulatory agent, is one of many oral treatments in Phase III trials for multiple sclerosis. Teva's Copaxone is the only currently marketed treatment choice for MS which has an oral mode of administration, an advantage which has helped fuel its skyrocketing sales.
"Oral agents will likely be the drugs of choice for MS patients looking to supplement interferon therapy, or those for whom interferon therapy no longer works," said Jeremy Spivey, lead writer for the report. "Interferons are effective for many but require fairly frequent injections and have significant side effects."
"Pharmaceutical Business Review" reported recently that Novartis is likely using Extavia's launch to train and strengthen its neurology sales force in anticipation of fingolimod. This would give Novartis one to two years to prepare for fingolimod's launch. With Novartis' neurology sales forces already promoting Exelon and Stalevo for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively, Novartis is clearly attempting to further solidify its position in the scientifically challenging neurodegenerative treatment marketplace.
More information on these upcoming oral MS agents and other neurodegenerative drugs can be found in Cutting Edge Information's "Neurodegenerative Market Forecast to 2013" (http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative). This report provides actionable information for drugs designed to combat multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
The 201-page report consists of 40 brand profiles, which detail each product's competitive and strategic positioning, market opportunities, and patent and litigation data. The profiles include the following information:
-- Drug's current and projected competitive strength -- Current/projected sales position within its class -- Sales projection charts for the next four to seven years -- Assessment of competition -- Materiality charts -- Clinical trial information
Download a complimentary report brochure at http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative.
Contact: Jeremy Spivey Lead Author 919-433-0373 Email Contact