Singapore, April 4, 2008: The global rheumatoid arthritis (RA) market to generate sales of around $27 billion, by 2015, due to the growth in sales of existing and new biologic therapies, which will remain as the main growth drivers. The new oral therapies will begin to make a further impact on market growth from 2011. The uptake of these more effective newer agents will lead to a decline in sales of established treatments to 2015, according to the Research and Markets report on "Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Discoveries: What The Future Holds."

 

The Research and Markets noted the global rheumatoid arthritis market was worth approximately $11.6 billion in 2007, accounting for 1.7 per cent of global pharmaceutical sales (which were $691.2 billion in 2007). Global sales include the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, (MTX), and the biologic therapies. The biologics account for the greatest proportion of sales, although the majority of patients are still treated with the traditional DMARDs.

 

The rheumatoid arthritis is continuing to grow, driven mainly by the biologic DMARDs. It is dominated by five major pharma companies: Abbott, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Schering-Plough and Wyeth, which between them market three of the most successful biologics, the tumour necrosis factor inhibitors Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab).

 

Research into new treatments is intense, driven by the need for safer and even more effective medications with more convenient dosing schedules. GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Schering-Plough and UCB all have biologics in the late phases of development, while Pfizer is pinning its hopes on its oral kinase inhibitors, which are currently in Phase II development. As these new therapies come on board and the market becomes more competitive, the prospects for RA patients can only improve

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease. The incidence of RA among white populations is approximately 3 people per 10,000 or 0.03 per cent per annum worldwide, although this can vary markedly between different regions. RA is rare in rural and less developed parts of the world; indeed, one large study in Nigeria failed to find a single case of RA. It is also known to be rare in China and Indonesia, and the incidence is very low in Japan, suggesting urbanized and westernized lifestyles may have a key role in the onset of the disease.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is relatively uncommon in patients aged less than 15 years, with incidence increasing up to the age of 70 years before tailing off. The commonest age of onset is between 40 and 50 years of age. Overall, the prevalence in North America and the European Union is expected to increase until at least 2010, due to the aging population. At the same time, prevalence in rural countries is expected to continue to increase.