Rise of the superbug set to
drive antibacterials growth
30th March 2007: The increasing incidence of multi-resistant superbugs is
emerging as a major global health concern. Although there are several
candidates for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
other pathogens such Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter Baumannii pose an
even larger threat. This largely unmet urgent need for treatments should drive
growth in the antibacterials market.
The antibacterials market, valued at approximately $25.5 billion in 2005, is
highly mature, growing at a modest average rate of only 5.1% from 2002 to
2005. Most community-acquired infections can be treated well with available
drugs, and the level of genericization is very high, leaving little profit
opportunities for drug manufacturers.
However, more recently multi-drug resistant bacterial infections such as
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged as a major
global health concern, refueling Big Pharma's interest in the sector. Sales
growth rates reflect this trend with classes mainly indicated for the
treatment of resistant infections, and former niche antibiotics such as
Pfizer's Zyvox (linezolid) on the verge of blockbuster status.
Key unmet need
Over the last decade, MRSA has rapidly developed into a public health concern.
The incidence of the so-called 'superbug' has been found to nearly triple
among US ICU patients, where it accounted for up to 63% of all S. aureus
infections in 2004. Across the Atlantic, the situation is nearly as serious
with the UK reporting an MRSA incidence of 45%, with approximately 15% of the
cases proving fatal. Clearly, there is a crucial need for new MRSA treatments,
and a look at the antibacterial pipeline reveals no less than four candidates
in late-stage development, indicating that efficacious options will continue
to be available.
Indeed, the situation is worse for other multi-drug resistant pathogens such
as the gram-negatives Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter, with carbapenems the main
and in many cases only efficacious option. With carbapenem-resistant strains
starting to emerge and just two new candidates, Johnson & Johnson's Doripenem
and Ceftobiprole in late-stage development, further treatment alternatives are
urgently needed.
Hospital antibacterial market opportunities
The rising incidence of resistant infections will fuel strong growth
particularly in the nosocomial antibacterial market. Although there has been a
worrying increase in MRSA cases in the community setting, most infections with
resistant strains occur in the hospital setting. Furthermore, in-hospital
treatment of bacterial infections will become more and more common as the
number of elderly and immunocompromised patients grows.
Importantly, generic competition is less intense than in the community market.
This, in combination with the high clinical need of critically ill patients,
eases cost pressure on hospital antibacterials, making the hospital market an
attractive target for drugs manufacturers. With only few branded products left
in the relatively well-served and highly genericised community market, the
main commercial opportunity in antibacterials lies in the treatment of
nosocomial infections.
Efficacious drugs against MRSA and, in particular, multi-resistant
gram-negatives are urgently needed and their significant commercial potential
will hopefully drive continued R&D in this area.
Related research:
Commercial Insight: Antibacterials - Growth in resistance rates drives niche
indications priced $15,200
Stakeholder Insight: Respiratory Tract Infections in the USA - The demise of
narrow-spectrum antibiotics priced $15,200
Commercial Insight: Antibacterials - Pharma Strikes Antibac priced $15,200
