The Majority of Surveyed Gastroenterologists in the EU5 Identify Remicade as Their Most Preferred Biologic for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

EXTON, Pa., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that Janssen/Merck/Mitsubishi Tanabe's Remicade is the market leader for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), following the approval of its first biologic competitor—another TNF-alpha inhibitor—AbbVie/Eisai's Humira. According to the results of a survey conducted nearly one year after the European approval of Humira for ulcerative colitis, 69 percent of gastroenterologists pointed to Remicade as their most preferred biologic, while 27 percent of respondents indicated Humira.

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The TreatmentTrends^®: Ulcerative Colitis (EU) report finds that Remicade also leads over Humira in patient share estimates across the major European markets. While the new TNF-alpha inhibitor may not trail far behind Remicade in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, gastroenterologists from Italy and France provide estimates half those of Remicade. In addition to the relatively recent approval of Humira, physician perception of Humira's efficacy appears to be a factor limiting uptake as nearly one-third of European gastroenterologists noted its efficacy relative to Remicade as a disadvantage, but less than ten percent stated that its relative efficacy was an advantage. These findings may also explain Remicade's higher patient share compared with Humira in the severe segment (24 percent and 12 percent, respectively) that leads by a wider margin than in the moderate segment (11 percent and 7 percent, respectively).

The findings also reveal that approximately one-third of respondents were aware of new treatments in development for ulcerative colitis. After viewing product profiles of Takeda's vedolizumab, Janssen/Merck/Mitsubishi Tanabe's Simponi and Pfizer's tofacitinib, gastroenterologists reported a mean interest level for tofacitinib that is significantly greater than those of vedolizumab and Simponi. Additionally, tofacitinib received the greatest proportion of gastroenterologists identifying it as offering the most value to their practice. Oral administration was the most common reason given.

"However, when thinking of unmet needs for a new agent for moderate to severe UC, oral administration falls in the middle of the range of importance ratings among surveyed attributes, signaling that this attribute alone will not drive prescribing," said Decision Resources Group Senior Director Joanna Kim, M.Ed. "Efficacy will continue to be a key decision point."

About BioTrends Research Group
BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom primary market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please visit www.bio-trends.com. BioTrends 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 of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]  

SOURCE BioTrends Research Group

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