The treatment market for multiple myeloma across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries of China, India, Japan, and Australia will rise in value from $1.7 billion in 2014 to $2.8 billion by 2021, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4 per cent, according to business intelligence provider GBI Research.

The company’s latest report states that growth will primarily be driven by the emergence of novel therapeutics that have significantly improved clinical outcomes across all stages of the disease, as well as the lack of generic competition in China, Japan and Australia.

Deekshita Allavarapu, analyst for GBI Research, expects the leading brands, Revlimid, Velcade and Thalomid, to continue to perform strongly in the APAC multiple myeloma treatment space, with minimal generic competition at present.

Allavarapu explains, “The only leading brand that faces imminent generic challenge is the proteasome inhibitor Velcade, the patent of which is expected to expire in China, Japan and Australia in 2015, 2018 and 2020, respectively. Generic versions of Velcade are already available in India.

“Furthermore, there are now several options in the relapsed or refractory disease setting, which will also contribute to growth in the APAC multiple myeloma therapeutics market by 2021. These drugs include Pomalyst, which was approved in Australia and Japan in 2013, and Farydak, which was approved in Japan earlier this year.”

During the forecast period, these existing treatments for multiple myeloma will be supplemented by new drugs, many of which will be used in combination with the leading brands.

Allavarapu continues, “Kyprolis will be launched in the APAC region in the near future, Daratumumab has been trialed in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone, and elotuzumab has been trialed in combination with Revlimid.

“These emerging multiple myeloma therapies are likely to offer alternatives in the relapsed or refractory disease setting, in both the second and third lines of treatment, further boosting APAC market growth.”

Other promising multiple myeloma pipeline drugs are Zolinza, filanesib and plitidepsin. However, no clinical trial is registered for these treatments in the APAC countries and they are only expected to launch towards the end of forecast period, according to GBI Research.