NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Launches of Humira, Golimumab and Orencia for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Will Drive Annual Five Percent Market Growth

The new Pharmacor report entitled Ulcerative Colitis finds that Humira and golimumab -- as maintenance therapies -- will drive nearly two-thirds of the growth in the ulcerative colitis market inthe United States,France,Germany, Italy,Spain and theUnited Kingdom over the next ten years. Humira and golimumab will expand treatment options for moderate to severe patients who fail treatment with conventional pharmacotherapies, posing a threat to Centocor/Schering-Plough/Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma's Remicade. Additionally, the approval of Orencia by 2012 for the treatment of moderate to severe disease as an acute and maintenance therapy, will expand treatment options for patients who fail treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors.

"We project golimumab may have an advantage over its predecessors within the TNF-alpha inhibitor class-specifically Remicade and Humira-because the drug is being investigated for both intravenous and subcutaneous delivery," said Kathryn Benton, analyst at Decision Resources. "However, we expect Humira to outperform golimumab in ulcerative colitis sales due to Humira's earlier market entry and more well-established long-term safety profile."

The report also finds that the uptake of Shire/Takeda/Giuliani's Lialda/Mezavant/Mezavant XL and its launch in additional countries will contribute to market growth, owing to the agent's improved dosing convenience and its premium price compared to currently marketed drugs in its class. Lialda/Mezavant/Mezavant XL, the most recently approved oral 5- aminosalicylate, has launched inthe United States,Germany and theUnited Kingdom and is expected to launch in the remaining European markets in late 2008.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (http://www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

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

    For more information, contact:
    Elizabeth Marshall
    Decision Resources, Inc.
    781-296-2563
    emarshall@dresources.com

SOURCE Decision Resources, Inc.