Acorda's Ampyra Sustains High Levels of Interest Seven Months After Launch With Favorable Future Share Projections

EXTON, Pa., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, Inc. finds that on most metrics, perceptions of Acorda's Ampyra, the first FDA-approved product for the management of a multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom, have remained consistent or improved since earlier waves, including product awareness, interest, satisfaction, the managed care process and Acorda's patient support program. Compared to early in the launch, patient requests play a less impactful role in Ampyra uptake. With increased familiarity after seven months on the market, neurologists are gaining a clear picture of the discontinuation rates, responder rates and insurance dynamics associated with Ampyra.

The recently released third and final wave of the LaunchTrends®: Ampyra report series finds that about half of the surveyed neurologists had been detailed on Ampyra within the past month.  Those considered high prescribers of the brand recall dialogue related to reimbursement. While market share of Ampyra was not significantly different compared to the prior wave, the respondents report starting significantly more dalfampridine-naive patients on Ampyra compared to earlier waves. More than three-quarters of the surveyed neurologists currently prescribe Ampyra and projected market share increases for the brand are expected to come from both an expanded user base as well as increased use among current prescribers.

LaunchTrends®: Ampyra is a three wave syndicated report series designed to track the uptake of Acorda's Ampyra at one month, four months and seven months following its commercial availability. In the current wave of research, which measures Ampyra's market impact at seven month post-launch, BioTrends surveyed 76 neurologists and conducted qualitative interviews with a subset of 20 of the respondents in November 2010. BioTrends will continue to track the uptake of Ampyra in TreatmentTrends®: Multiple Sclerosis, a report series published quarterly in the U.S. and annually in the EU, which provides a comprehensive view of the current and anticipated future management of MS. BioTrends also recently released ChartTrends®: Multiple Sclerosis, a patient chart audit of over 1,000 MS patients assessing how MS patients are being managed with disease modifying agents as well as agents used in symptomatic conditions.  

About LaunchTrends

LaunchTrends assesses trial and use of new products, obstacles to use, reasons to use, typical patient types, line of therapy, product perceptions, promotional efforts/messages and product satisfaction.

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SOURCE BioTrends Research Group, Inc.