Orphan cancer drugs worth $50.3bn in 2017 with high growth 2013-2023

Friday 30 August 2013, Amsterdam

Orphan cancer drugs worth $50.3bn in 2017 with high growth 2013-2023
A new report predicts the world market for orphan cancer drugs will reach $50.3bn in 2017. Strong growth for Revlimid and Velcade in multiple myeloma will stimulate that expansion, as will the launch of new therapies for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in the US and EU in 2012 and 2013. Rituxan will be the bestselling orphan cancer drug in 2013, with revenue of $7.49bn. Those revenue forecasts and others appear in Orphan Drugs for Cancer: R&D and Market 2013-2023, published in July 2013.

This study shows fastest growth will come in the leukaemia and multiple myeloma submarkets. Three new therapies were launched in the CML sector and two new drugs were approved in the multiple myeloma submarket between the beginning of 2012 and June 2013. These new orphan drugs will drive growth in these segments in the first half of the forecast period. For other leading segments, growth will be slower to 2023. Growth in these submarkets will be restrained by patent expiries for leading products. In glioma, revenues for Merck & Co.’s Temodar have fallen in recent years and will continue to do so with the launch of the first generics in the US in the second half of 2013. The launch of biosimilar competitors to Rituxan from 2015 in the US, EU and Japan will similarly limit growth in the lymphoma submarket.

Richard Lang, a pharmaceutical market analyst, said: “Unmet treatment needs exist in almost all orphan cancer indications. Through the success of drugs such as Novartis’ Glivec and Celgene’s Revlimid, pharmaceutical companies have seen the opportunities that developing drugs for rare cancers can bring. There are hundreds of new therapies in development targeting these diseases, providing hope for patients in the future. However, increasing competitiveness in leading orphan cancer submarkets – resulting from the launch of new drugs in this decade – may limit the potential for many of these pipeline therapies.

“The rising incidence of cancer worldwide will play a small role in the growth of the orphan cancer drug market. The increased number of patients, along with the rising prices for cancer medicines, may restrict which drugs healthcare payers are willing to pay for. Cost effectiveness and superior efficacy will increasingly impact the uptake of new drugs in many orphan cancer indications.”

This new report forecasts the overall world market to 2023 for orphan anticancer drugs, as well as giving revenue predictions for its submarkets:

  • Leukaemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Lymphoma
  • Glioma
  • Other disorders.

 
That investigation also predicts revenues to 2023 for 12 leading orphan cancer drugs and six recently approved therapies, brands including Glivec, Revlimid and Sprycel. Patent expiries will affect revenue growth for many of the market leaders, as will the launch of new therapies.

The report also discusses R&D and predicts overall revenues to 2023 for rare cancer indications in leading and emerging national markets. The work analyses the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Spain (EU5), Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). Although orphan drug designation – and associated benefits – is available in only a small number of countries, rare cancers affect public health worldwide. Unmet treatment needs will continue to drive growth in developed national markets from 2013 to 2023, the study finds. Concerns from healthcare payers over the high cost of recently-launched orphan cancer drugs may restrict uptake in these markets. Developing national markets will also expand revenues, but most patients there will continue to use established therapies, including generics.

Orphan Drugs for Cancer: R&D and Market 2013-2023

Orphan Drugs for Cancer: R&D and Market 2013-2023

Publish date : July 2013
Report code : ASDR-74175
Pages : 179

ASDReports.com contact: S. Koomen

ASDReports.com / ASDMedia BV - Veemkade 356 - 1019HD Amsterdam - The Netherlands
P : +31(0)20 486 1286 - F : +31(0)20 486 0216

 back to News