Fibromyalgia is a relatively common chronic pain syndrome, affecting around 2% of the population. This little understood market suffers from high unmet need both at the level of drug research and current clinical practice. Several leading industry players, including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Wyeth, have expressed an interest in this niche thus highlighting the commercial opportunity it offers. 

Scope

Quantitative treatment data from over 260 physicians from the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK 

Analysis of epidemiology, assessment and referral patterns, first- to third-line treatments, and unmet market needs 

Discussion of the R&D drug pipeline for fibromyalgia, including analysis of duloxetine, pregabalin, and milnacipran 

Coverage of the hot topics including the potential of SNRI antidepressants and the need to push regulatory agencies to recognize fibromyalgia 

Report Highlights

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome that is substantially under served by the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. The challenge facing investors is to provide improved understanding of the biologic and physiologic processes responsible for the symptoms, in order to develop better pain medications that can improve quality of life. 

The biggest commercial opportunity is for manufacturers of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Forest’s SNRI milnacipran is the closest to entering the market, although competition from Eli Lilly and Wyeth can be expected in the near future. 

Companies aiming to enter the fibromyalgia market need to push regulatory agencies to recognize the condition as a single clinical entity. Until this is achieved, companies will be unable to gain labeling for fibromyalgia. 

Reasons to Purchase

Forecast product sales by understanding key aspects of fibromyalgia epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment 

Gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by future players in the fibromyalgia market 

Predict trends in the treatment of fibromyalgia and how to capitalize on forthcoming changes in treatment practice. 

March 2004 Pages: 113 

Publisher: Datamonitor CNS Central Nervous System 2004 

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