GBI’s latest report says that the increase, which is predicted to occur across the eight major markets of the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and Canada, will be driven primarily by growing multiple myeloma prevalence because of an aging population. The report also states that approvals during the forecast period for drugs that will supplement current market leaders, such as Revlimid, and offer improved therapeutic options, mainly in the relapsed/refractory setting, will also enhance the market. Some examples include ixazomib, ARRY-520 (filanesib), elotuzumab and daratumumab.
While multiple myeloma remains incurable, greater understanding of its underlying cellular and molecular biology has led to novel therapy development, with significantly improved clinical outcomes. Some late-stage pipeline drugs will have a low impact, while others, including elotuzumab and daratumumab, have demonstrated promising clinical results in specific patient populations. Thus, these products could provide physicians with increased choice and complexity in multiple myeloma treatment over the forecast period. On the other hand, market barriers, such as a limited target patient population, will restrict any further growth in the multiple myeloma therapeutics arena by 2021, according to the report.
Because multiple myeloma is rare and designated as an orphan disease, the available treatment population is limited, in turn limiting the potential revenues that can be generated. These factors, along with high drug development costs, can keep manufacturers from investing in multiple myeloma drugs. Conversely, incentives for orphan disease drug development and the ability to repurpose drugs could help to balance these challenges and spur additional research into multiple myeloma treatments.
Earlier this month Drug Discovery & Development reported on other aspects of the GBI Research analysis of the cancer drug market. Among the findings were that the oncology drug pipeline is much bigger than any other therapy area in the pharmaceutical industry, with 6,484 products in active development, suggesting “significant opportunities for new market entries.” GBI’s latest report says that of the pipeline oncology products in development, most are in the early stages, with 2,937, or about 45 percent of the total pipeline, at the Preclinical stage, and 1,591, or 25 percent, at the discovery stage.