Pharmabiz
 

Market for drug delivery technologies estimated at $ 41 billion

Dr. Venkat AppajiWednesday, June 13, 2001, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

Oral drug administration continues to be the predominant choice of U.S. physicians, but inhalation therapy and sustained release injections are expected to hold the key to future growth of the U.S. drug delivery markets. According to new analysis by Frost & Sullivan''s healthcare group, the U.S. Emerging Drug Delivery Technology Markets are expected to grow from $19 billion in 2001 to $41 billion by 2007. "The growth of the drug delivery industry will be driven by the application of novel delivery technologies to biotechnology drugs," says Frost & Sullivan Pharmaceutical Industry Analyst Dhirajjmani "Pulmonary drug delivery technologies for insulin and other proteins are expected to be commercialized in 2002-2004 and will have multi-billion dollar market potential."

Some of the notable molecules expected to hit the market in the future include Inhalable insulin, NESP, Buspar TDS, Viagra Zydis, Insulin oral spray, Oral Heparin, Alprox-TD and Evra TDS. "U.S. Emerging Drug Delivery Technology Markets" analyzes the following key product segments: Oral controlled/sustained release tablets or capsules, immediate release systems, transdermal creams and patches, CFC-free metered dose and dry powder inhalers, Buccal tablets and patches, nasal preparations, sustained release/depot parenteral formulations, needle-free injections and sustained release implants. The research does not analyze the markets for traditional inhalation therapies, which use CFC propellants.

Viagra rival ''Uprima'' Arrives In UK

A new drug rival to Pfizer Inc.''s anti-impotence pill Viagra will go on sale soon in the Netherlands, after winning European Commission marketing approval, Abbott Laboratories said .The product, which will be sold as Uprima by the U.S. healthcare group and as Ixense by its partner Takeda Chemical Industries of Japan, was given a positive opinion from a European medical committee in January. Uprima/Ixense - which is not yet approved for sale in the United States - will be rolled out in other selected European markets later in June.

The new drug is administered as a small tablet that dissolves under the tongue, which means it enters the bloodstream quickly and works rapidly, typically triggering an erection in under 20 minutes .It works by enhancing natural brain signals - a different mode of action to Viagra, which blocks the action of certain enzymes, thereby increasing the flow of blood to the penis. Pfizer''s most famous product Viagra notched up global sales of $377 million in the first quarter of 2001.Erectile dysfunction affects some 30 million men in Europe and more than 150 million worldwide.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) Patent Invalidated

The U.S. Court of Appeals Panel has reaffirmed its decision to invalidate Eli Lilly''s Prozac (fluoxetine) patent, significantly increasing Pharmaceutical Resources, Inc.''s likelihood of marketing the generic form of the drug. The Prozac case has been defined as the biggest generic industry victory in history. Based on the court ruling, Pharmaceutical Resources believes it will market its exclusive dosage forms, the 10mg. and 20mg. tablets, as well as the exclusive 40mg. Capsule concurrent with the companies that will market a 20mg. capsule and 10mg. capsule. PRI also anticipates receiving all or nearly all of the six months exclusivity expected to be granted by the FDA. Pharmaceutical Resources anticipates being the only company to be able to offer all strengths of fluoxetine 10mg., 20mg., and 40mg.) during the exclusivity period.

FDA Advisors Give Nod to Heart Failure Drug

The first new treatment for congestive heart failure in more than a decade was recommended for approval by a panel of advisors to the FDA. Natrecor, a genetically engineered drug , made by Scios, is a variation of natural hormones secreted by the heart to help it when it''s struggling to pump blood. Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a condition in which the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the tissues of the body. There hasn''t been a new drug for CHF in nearly 13 years, so a new medicine for this condition, the treatment of which costs American $38 billion annually, could have considerable significance. The recommendation now goes to the full FDA for action.. The FDA had earlier turned thumbs down on Natrecor once. In April of 1999, the agency expressed concern that higher doses of the drug could result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Natrecor, was generally given in one large dose followed-up by smaller amounts.. According to the company, those in the study showed a decline in the wedge blood pressure reading associated with CHF in just 15 minutes as compared with two hours for nitroglycerin. Other findings show Natrecor also benefited patients'' breathing.

Drinking Coffee May Increase Arthritis Risk

A new report suggests heavy coffee drinking may raise risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The findings are based on two studies of more than 25,000 people in Finland. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the lining of the joints in the body and can lead to deformity and disability. It occurs when the body''s immune system attacks the joints, although it is not known why. There is also no cure. The scientists at Social Insurance Institution, Turku, Finland, studied the association between coffee drinking, rheumatoid arthritis, and a blood marker called rheumatoid factor that is found in about half the cases of rheumatoid arthritis. They published their findings in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease.

Compiled from WWW by Dr. Venkat Appaji Padmanabhuni

e-mail : appajipv@hotmail.com

 
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