The Herpes Therapeutics Market has Low Unmet Need and a Weak Pipeline

Monday 23 January 2012, Amsterdam

The report analyzes the markets for dermatology therapeutics in the US, the top five countries in Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain) and Japan. It provides treatment usage patterns, revenue, annual cost of treatment and forecasts to 2017 for the key geographies and leading therapeutic segments. The report also provides competitive benchmarking for the leading companies and it analyzes the mergers, acquisitions and licensing agreements that shape the global markets.


The Herpes Therapeutics Market has Low Unmet Need and a Weak Pipeline

Herpes (simplex and zoster) pipeline portfolio is weak with 26 molecules under research and development. Seven molecules are under Phase III clinical studies, while five molecules have first in class mechanism of action among all pipeline molecules. Occurrence of headache, nausea, dizziness and abdominal is another common problem among patient population that is being treated with present therapies. Hence there is high demand for synthesizing safer drugs.
The herpes therapeutics has strong market for some antivirals such as Zovirax (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir), Zostavax (Herpes Zoster Vaccine) and Valtrex (valacyclovir). These drugs contribute for more than $1.2 billion of global herpes therapeutics market. Large sector of the market is shared by generics that are having low prices which demands high first in class outputs from research and development side to strengthen the market.

The herpes therapeutics market will basically grow due to increasing awareness about the disease and increasing trends for their treatment. The number of prescribed patients will increase from 2010 to 2107 with a CAGR of 7.1%, indirectly increasing revenues for herpes therapeutics market. Hence negative impact from weak pipeline molecules will be countered by increasing trend of prescription population. 

 
Psoriasis is a Strongly Growing Market Associated with Increased Competition and Strong Pipeline

From 2002, the market grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2% to reach $16.3 billion in 2010. Psoriasis was one of the fastest growing segments. This growth is primarily attributed to increased competition among the existing products and a strong pipeline with more emerging therapies. The current market is crowded with biologics and topical treatments for psoriasis. The pipeline is strong with biologics and several other treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis. The psoriasis market is expected to reap large revenues with the increased uptake of biologics and the increased awareness of the disease in patients leading to increased treatment seeking rates at the early stages of the disease.

 
Increasing R&D in Dermatology Segment Boosts a Strong Clinical Pipeline

In the dermatology sector, most companies coordinate their Research and Development (R&D) activities to constantly expand their product pipeline with innovative drugs. Though there is a consistent and continuous threat from generics and other alternatives, companies in the dermatology sector are not reluctant to invest in R&D and are focused on offering new products to the market. There are about 543 drugs in the dermatology pipeline.

Dermatology Therapeutics Market, Global, Pipeline by Phases (%), 2011 (See Figure)