Continued Uptake Of Oral Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogues Will Drive Growth In The U.S. And European Hepatitis B Markets

BURLINGTON, Mass., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, from 2011 to 2021, growth in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug market will be driven by continued uptake of oral nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb's Baraclude (entecavir) and Gilead's Viread. However, the entry of generic Baraclude in 2015 and 2016 in the United States and Europe, respectively, will curtail sales of branded versions of both agents.

"Both Baraclude and Viread, which have high genetic barrier to viral resistance, will continue to dominate the market for HBV therapies as more patients gain access to them throughout the next ten years," said Decision Resources Analyst Benjamin Guikema, Ph.D. "Generic entry will drive even more prescriptions of entecavir and further raise the bar for drug developers in HBV."

According to Niche Markets and Rare Diseases: Hepatitis B, the launch of Bristol-Myers Squibb/ZymoGenetics' pegylated interferon lambda-1a in 2017 will help to slow the decline spurred by the entry of generics in the HBV market. Prescribing physicians will favor pegylated interferon lambda-1a for patients who would otherwise receive an interferon alpha-based therapy and for additional patient populations because of more favorable tolerability compared with currently available interferons.

"In addition to the anticipated launch of a prophylactic vaccine, Dynavax's Heplisav, pegylated interferon lambda-1a will be the only emerging therapy for HBV over the next ten years," Dr. Guikema said. "But, because of patient preference for oral therapies, we do not expect widespread uptake."

About Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is offered as part of Decision Resources' Niche Markets and Rare Diseases service. Each report assesses opportunity in a select drug market across the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The report provides detailed coverage of patient populations, current therapies, unmet needs and emerging therapies, and includes primary research with country-specific thought leaders.

About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (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. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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

SOURCE Decision Resources

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