Physician-Reported Patient Share for Bayer's Eylea in the EU5 Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration Market Has Increased Significantly Over the Past Year

Desire for Greater Efficacy and Improved Convenience Drive Perceived Value of Emerging Therapies for Wet Form of the Disease, According to Findings from Decision Resources Group

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Decision Resources Group

Oct 27, 2014, 10:00 ET

BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that retinal specialists in the EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) report patient share for Bayer's Eylea, the most recently launched anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has significantly increased from 8 percent one year ago to 21 percent—driven in large part by a substantial growth in the Eylea prescriber base. Eylea appears to be competing directly for patient share with the standard of care, Novartis's Lucentis, although Lucentis remains the market leader across the EU5 markets and continues to be viewed by the majority of retinal specialists to be their typical first-line treatment approach for wet AMD.

Other key findings from the TreatmentTrends: Dry/Wet AMD 2014 (EU) report:

Impact of market changes on off-label Avastin: EU5 share of Roche's Avastin, approved for oncology indications but compounded for off-label use in wet AMD, has remained stable over the past year and is anticipated, unlike Lucentis, to remain largely unaffected by the continued upward trajectory of Eylea. In fact, Avastin patient share is anticipated to increase significantly in France and Italy, where recent decisions by authorities to allow use of/reimbursement for off-label Avastin for wet AMD for economic reasons, will open up competitive pressures on the branded anti-VEGF therapies.
Drivers of emerging wet AMD therapy value: Among emerging wet AMD therapies surveyed, the greatest percentage of EU5 retinal specialists perceived Novartis's Fovista and Ohr Pharmaceuticals' squalamine as offering the greatest value to their treatment of wet AMD. Retinal specialists are intrigued by the potential of Fovista, an adjunctive intravitreal therapy to be administered with anti-VEGF therapy, to offer superior efficacy over current mainstays, while squalamine's eye drop formulation offers potential convenience benefits that could reduce overall treatment burden on patients, caregivers, and physicians.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Emma McFadden, Ph.D.:

"EU5 retinal specialists rate Eylea significantly higher on convenient dosing frequency and low need for re-treatment compared with the other anti-VEGF agents, although they estimate administering a similar number of injections of Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea after the first six months of treatment. Such a finding suggests that Eylea's performance ratings may be related more to messaging surrounding the recommended dosing label and less by what is actually occurring in clinical practices."
"Not surprisingly, with no currently approved therapies, geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry AMD, is identified as having the greatest unmet need for improved therapies among EU5 retinal specialists. While awareness of products in development for GA is low, retinal specialists are split on whether Acucela's emixustat hydrochloride or Roche's lampalizumab would offer the most value to their treatment of GA. Given that intravitreal lampalizumab is anticipated to launch first, the convenience associated with emixustat hydrochloride's oral formulation will likely help drive its use and expand the pool of treated GA patients."

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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For more information, contact:
Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group