The Highest Proportion of Surveyed Oncologists and MCOs Indicate That Bortezomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone is the Most Ef

Despite Its High Cost and Added Potential for Side Effects, Most Surveyed Oncologists and MCOs Perceive Bortezomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone To Have the Best Overall Clinical Profile, According to Findings from Decision Resources

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the highest proportion of surveyed hematological oncologists (55 percent) and surveyed managed care organization’s (MCO) pharmacy directors (50 percent) selected the three-drug regimen VRD—bortezomib (Takeda/Janssen-Cilag/Janssen’s Velcade) plus lenalidomide (Celgene’s Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Merck & Co.’s Fortecortin, Visufarma/Banyu Seiyaku’s Decadron, generics)—as the most efficacious treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma when compared to other currently available therapies.

The findings from Decision Resources’ analysis of the multiple myeloma drug market reveal that although both bortezomib and lenalidomide are approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, the combination of these agents is not approved in this setting to date. Nevertheless, this regimen has yielded impressive response rates in newly diagnosed patients and encouraging efficacy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, thereby making VRD clinically appealing in this setting.

Although the high cost and added potential for side effects of VRD limit its patient share, most surveyed oncologists (37 percent) and surveyed payers (41 percent) perceive this three-drug regimen to have the best overall clinical profile. However, surveyed oncologists who selected VRD as the most efficacious regimen are least satisfied with the survival achievements of this regimen, compared with tumor response and measures of disease progression.

“The clinical rationale for combining two agents with different and well-proven mechanisms of action is strong,” said Decision Resources Analyst Khurram Nawaz, M.Sc. “Currently, however, no robust positive data in comparable patient populations support the superiority of VRD over the benchmark therapy, lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, in terms of overall survival. Furthermore, because surveyed oncologists consider overall survival to be the most important efficacy measure in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, they are not satisfied with VRD on this efficacy measure.”

The findings also reveal that the multiple myeloma drug market is set to experience robust annual 7.2 percent growth from 2009 to 2019 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Japan. The market will be driven by the further penetration of lenalidomide into the first-line setting after approval and increased use in the maintenance setting. The launch of premium-priced emerging therapies—notably Onyx Pharmaceuticals/Ono Pharmaceutical’s carfilzomib and Celgene’s pomalidomide in the relapsed/refractory setting—will also drive growth through 2019, but these agents will struggle to achieve the same market share as lenalidomide and bortezomib.

Decision Resources’ Robust Market Forecast and Opportunities Analysis

Decision Resources provides a comprehensive view of what is happening in a specific drug market now and in the decade ahead. The research includes analysis of the unmet need and near-term drug development opportunities that exist within a drug market powered by primary research from physicians and payers. The robust market forecast and opportunities analysis is comprised of the Pharmacor 2011 advisory service and the DecisionBase 2011 report series.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

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CONTACT:

Decision Resources, Inc.
Christopher Comfort, 781-993-2597
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Biotechnology  Oncology  Pharmaceutical  Managed Care

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