Atrial Fibrillation Population with Unmet Needs Triggers Growth in the U.S. Anticoagulant Market

Jan. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Jan. 6, 2012 – The U.S. anticoagulant market is on the verge of a major shift in clinical practice. It is transitioning from a market dominated by a single injectable anticoagulant to a highly competitive one dominated by first-in-class novel oral anticoagulants. Companies are vying with each other to introduce novel therapies that offer superior safety, efficacy and convenience to patients and physicians. This is a medical need that has been unmet for decades.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s (http://www.frost.com) Analysis of the Anticoagulant Market research finds that the market earned revenues of $4.7 billion in 2010 and this is expected to reach $11.8 billion in 2016.

If you are interested in more information on this research, please send an email to Britni Myers, Corporate Communications, at britni.myers@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company email address, company Web site, city, state and country.

“Studies reveal that there are currently 2.7 million patients in the United States with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, this may be an underestimation as the actual figure could be as high as 4.0 million,” said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Deborah Toscano. “Lifelong anticoagulant therapy is critical for stroke prevention in these patients, resulting in substantial commercial opportunities.”

Warfarin, the long-established gold standard therapy for stroke prevention in AF, carries many significant inherent risks such as bleeding, leaving a very narrow therapeutic window.

A robust growth period is expected following the launch of Pradaxa (dabigatran), an oral direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), in late 2010.  This will be followed by a second growth period upon the anticipated launch of Eliquis (apixaban), an oral factor Xa inhibitor, in late 2012 or early 2013. Edoxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, is also in the pipeline, and Xarelto (rivaroxaban), another oral factor Xa inhibitor that is approved for prophylaxis following orthopedic surgery, is awaiting approval for stroke prevention. These agents are poised to dominate the market for stroke prevention in AF, a very large and partially untapped market. They are also likely to grab substantial market share from the parenteral anticoagulants for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in orthopedic joint replacement surgery.

With the approval of Pradaxa and the imminent approval of its successors, the bar has been significantly raised for the anticoagulant market. Superiority to Warfarin is paramount for new drug approval and market uptake. Patient and clinician acceptance will depend on strong data showing improvements in efficacy and lower risk of bleeding.

There is a fine line between the prevention of thrombosis and uncontrollable bleeding. Most often, bleeding issues or other safety concerns may not arise until late-stage clinical trials, or only in certain patient populations, after significant investments in drug development have been made.  In addition, bleeding issues or other safety concerns may surface in the future, particularly if the bleeding risk of the real-world population differs from that studied in clinical trials, leading to black-box warnings or market withdrawal.  One of the shortcomings of oral anticoagulants is the lack of a strategy for reversal in case of emergency or uncontrolled bleeding.  

“The oral anticoagulants are ideal for chronic therapy with their easy administration,” said Toscano. “However, the ability to quickly reverse the anticoagulant action in the event of an emergency is a critical unmet need.”  

Newcomers to the market that can address this issue will resolve the key shortfall of chronic anticoagulation therapy.  Their drugs are likely to see rapid adoption into clinical practice.

Analysis of the Anticoagulant Market is part of the Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: U.S. Knee Implants Market, U.S. Hip Implant Market, U.S. Orthopedic Joint Replacement Markets, U.S. Direct-energy Based Medical Devices Market – Aesthetics; Cardiovascular; Gynecology; Orthopedics; Urology, and European Diagnostic Cardiovascular Monitoring Equipment Markets. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Analysis of the Anticoagulant Market
N9EF

Contact:
Britni Myers
Corporate Communications – North America
P: 210.477.8481
F: 210.348.1003
E: britni.myers@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

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Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.