CATALYST:
Roche is finding it difficult to manufacture its novel antiretroviral drug
T-20.
Roche's new HIV drug, T-20,
should launch next year. However, it already seems that producing
sufficient quantities of T-20 will be a challenge - particularly before
the full-scale production facility for the drug comes online. Roche will
need to manage customer expectations carefully in the early stages of
T-20's launch, or risk losing confidence.
Swiss pharma company
Roche is already trying to manage patient and advocacy group expectations
regarding the availability of T-20, or Fuzeon as it has now been named,
following concerns that demand for the drug will massively outweigh supply
capabilities.
While the drug is
conceivably a treatment option for tens of thousands of patients with
resistance problems, Roche envisages being able to provide it to only
3,000 patients by March 2003. The problem is that T-20's complex structure
makes manufacturing the drug a highly intricate process.
To overcome the
manufacturing shortfalls, Roche and partner Trimeris have set out to bring
a new production facility online in Colorado. But in the meantime, Roche
will have to rely upon careful allocation of the drug from a relatively
small pilot plant.
Activist groups,
physicians, and patients have been scrutinizing T-20's development because
of the substantial advance it theoretically offers. As the first of a new
class of antiretrovirals, it is eagerly awaited, especially as the
marketing of clinical trial results has been particularly well received.
Given that demand is
highly likely to exceed supply, if Roche is to maintain customer
confidence it must demonstrate that it has taken as many precautionary
steps as possible to minimize the effects of the shortage. Assuming that
the company can manage expectations successfully, the capacity problems
may well have the effect of increasing, rather than decreasing demand for
the drug.
Related reports:
Datamonitor, "The HIV Pipeline - A Complete Overview" (BFHC0456)
To
order - click
here
The HIV Pipeline - A Complete Overview
Introduction
Analysis of the late and early stage HIV pipeline, including
antiretrovirals, vaccines and immunotherapies, and identifying licensing
opportunities across geographical markets and differentiated therapeutic
sectors.
Scope
Class by class analysis of the 101 pipeline candidates currently in
development for the treatment of HIV
Drug classes include NNRTIs, NRTIs, Protease Inhibitors, Entry
Inhibitors, Immunotherapeutics and Biologics
Interpretation of clinical and commercial aspects of the 31 candidates
in phase II and III trials
Comparative overview of the characteristics of the HIV pipeline by
class composition, and company type
Strategic insight into the future shape of the market, and key
considerations for players at all levels from discovery to marketing
specialists
Report Highlights
HIV management is due to undergo a major shift with the imminent
introduction of new classes of therapeutic products. While the majority of
pipeline candidates appear to be intended for complementary use with
conventional therapeutics, some may have the potential to force older
products out of the market.
Differentiation, forced by a plateau in advance in meeting unmet need,
will attract new players from distinct sectors to compete in the HIV
market, forcing conventional market leaders to reappraise both their
position in the market, and approach to its future domination.
Whilst some new market entrants may be able to drive their own market
penetration, the majority will require the market presence of more
established players to achieve market entry. Tactical collaboration will
prove central to market growth.
Reasons to Purchase
Features, benefits, strengths and weaknesses of all major products set
to enter the HIV market and a reference to all developmental compounds
Assess the impact of novel class entry on current HIV therapeutics, and
the flexibility of existing classes to counter this potential revolution
Appraise the strategies employed by market leaders to counter the
imminent arrival of numerous new market entrants
Identify the tactics new market entrants will employ to maximize impact
on a market currently dominated by a small number of strong competitors
Identify potential candidates for licensing through an independent
analysis of the positioning of pipeline candidates and their developers.
Report Code: BFHC0456 Report Format: PDF Publication Date: 30th July
2002
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Table of Contents
Price:
$1,500.00 / £960.00
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