pan>)--Biogen Idecs Avonex and Bayers Betaferon capture the greatest share of
first-line prescribing of disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the
treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) according to patient-level data
provided by EU5 neurologists. When switching occurs, patients started on
the most common first-line DMAs are likely to be switched to either
Tevas Copaxone or Biogen Idecs Tysabri for their second-line DMA.
Patient audit data show that relapse rate and disability progression
reduction are the primary drivers of current DMA choice. However, a
comparison of self-reported perceptions and audit data suggests that
tolerability profile and route of administration may be more important
in the choice of DMA brand than neurologists realize. Overall, EU5
neurologists are highly satisfied with the clinical response achieved by
just over one-half of their DMA-treated patients, although neurologists
tend to be more satisfied with the clinical response achieved by
patients currently treated with Avonex or Tysabri compared to those
treated with Betaferon.
While the majority of EU5 neurologists agree that the availability of
the anti-JC virus antibody assay would increase their prescribing of
Tysabri, as of the time of study fielding, only 8% of DMA-treated audit
patients had been tested with the assay. Patients currently treated with
Tysabri represent 48% of assay-tested patients, although neurologists in
the UK report testing significantly more of their patients prior to
initiating any DMA therapy compared to neurologists in other EU5
countries.
The recently released ChartTrends:
Multiple Sclerosis in the EU report finds that 74% of
DMA-treated audit patients currently experience at least some MS-related
symptoms. While abnormal sensory perceptions, fatigue, and ataxia are
the most common MS-related symptoms, depression / apathy, pain
syndromes, spasticity, and bladder / bowel dysfunction are the symptoms
most frequently managed using chronic pharmacotherapy. Almirall /
Bayers Sativex, a symptomatic management agent recently approved for
spasticity in the EU and commercially available in the UK and Spain at
the time of fielding, has been prescribed to 7% of DMA-treated audit
patients in the UK and Spain.
When asked to hypothetically switch audit patients to one of the DMAs in
late stage clinical development, 44% of EU5 neurologists identify the
greatest opportunity for Novartis Gilenya followed by Biogen Idecs
PEG-Avonex and Tevas laquinimod. Among audit patients identified as
potential Gilenya candidates, the greatest percentage are currently
prescribed Tysabri indicating that these two products may compete
directly. A number of patient characteristics appear to help identify
the types of patients who are perceived by neurologists as more likely
to be switched to either Gilenya or one of the other DMAs in development.
ChartTrends:
Multiple Sclerosis is a syndicated annual patient audit designed
to compare what physicians report about disease management to what
actually occurs at the patient level. The 2011 audit captures
information from 1068 patient charts provided by 228 neurologists from
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK in April and May 2011. All
patients are on a DMA at the time of the audit with all
commercially-available DMA brands (Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone, Extavia,
Rebif, Tysabri) represented. A parallel report covering the U.S. market,
which includes Novartis Gilenya, is also available. Through an in-depth
review of specific patient charts, details such as product initiation,
switching, exacerbation management, and a host of test and patient
demographic variables help define patient types and identify therapy
triggers. Patient profiles for the seven DMAs in late clinical
development (alemtuzumab, BG-12, teriflunomide, laquinimod, PEG-Avonex,
daclizumab, ocrelizumab) are also characterized.
About BioTrends Research Group, LLC
BioTrends Research Group, LLC provides syndicated and custom market
research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically
evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends
publications and research capabilities, please contact us at (610)
363-3872 or www.bio-trends.com.
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Information Source: Business Wire