New BioTrends Report Highlights The Growing Use Of Biologics Among Dermatologists And Rheumatologists In The US

The introduction of
biologic agents has expanded therapeutic options for patients with
Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and many
other immunologic conditions. BioTrends Research Group, Inc. conducted
primary market research in March 2007 with Dermatologists (n=101) and
Rheumatologists (n=102) practicing in the United States to better
understand how these agents are currently used in clinical practice and how
that use is expected to evolve in the future. According to responses
collected via an on-line survey, a majority of practitioners in both
specialties expect to increase their use of biologic agents in the next six
months.


Among Rheumatologists, the TNF-alpha antagonists (such as Amgen/Wyeth's
Enbrel and Abbott's Humira) are expected to maintain the first line
biologic position, but both Bristol Myers Squibb's Orencia and
Genentech/BiogenIdec's Rituxan are expected to post market share gains as
physicians become more familiar with these agents and treat more
aggressively. Enbrel is the preferred biologic for the treatment of RA, but
a higher percent of the surveyed Rheumatologists indicate a preference for
Humira when treating PsA based on the perception that Humira has "superior
skin data." Although a majority of these rheumatologists would be most
likely to initiate Orencia or Rituxan after the patient had failed two
TNF-alpha antagonists, 66% would consider Orencia and 48% would consider
Rituxan after a DMARD failure.



Dermatologists, while overwhelmingly loyal to Enbrel, report a growing
use of Abbott's Humira. Less than half of the dermatologists surveyed
currently use Humira, however, in the next six months 64% expect to use the
product. Furthermore, 15% of the respondents choose Humira as their
preferred first line biologic to treat PsA and with a psoriasis approval
expected in the next few months, use of Humira can be expected to expand
further among dermatologists. Centocor's Remicade was also recently
approved for its first dermatological indication and although 13% of the
dermatologists expect to increase their use of Remicade, only one-third of
the dermatologists are currently using the product. In-office infusion of
Remicade by dermatologists will remain limited due to
stocking/administering logistics, liability concerns, and reimbursement
issues. Finally, use of the T-cell inhibitors (Astellas' Amevive and
Genentech/Xoma's Raptiva) remains low and stagnant. Currently, more than
50% of the surveyed dermatologists do not use either of these products.
















On the horizon are several new biologics such as Centocor's CNTO-148
(golimumab) and CNTO-1275, Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab), and UCB Pharma's
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and although physicians report a low level of
familiarity with products in development, their interest level in new
treatment options is extremely high. The ideal agent? More than half of the
respondents suggest that an oral biologic, if approved, would become their
preferred first line biologic.


About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.



BioTrends Research Group, Inc. (bio-trends) provides syndicated
and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufactures competing in
clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets.


All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks of their respective holders.


BioTrends Research Group, Inc.

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View drug information on Actemra; Amevive; Cimzia.