EXTON, Pa., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, Inc. announces the release of the final wave of LaunchTrends®: Simponi and Cimzia report. The survey was completed by U.S. Rheumatologists (n=77) in late November 2009. BioTrends also conducted qualitative interviews with a subset (n=20) of the survey respondents to get an in-depth view of the sales and marketing messages being employed to differentiate the products. Over the course of the six month study over 300 Rheumatologists were interviewed about their reception to these new agents.

Awareness of both new TNF antagonists was nearly universal among the respondents. The initial favorability rating noted in baseline research in May 2009 for Centocor's Simponi decreased during subsequent waves of research and now trails UCB's Cimzia in both favorability and interest in learning more about these newest agents. The initial favorability rating for Cimzia has risen from the 31% reported in the two prior waves to 48% in this final wave of research coupled with a significant increase in familiarity with the product as well.

Cimzia has made significant gains, with new product share now split between these once-monthly products. Consistent with prior waves of research, Rheumatologists indicate that over 40% of their current patients on these newest TNF agents were switched from the current market share leaders Enbrel and Humira. Although the surveyed Rheumatologists perceive Simponi and Cimzia to be extremely similar, there have been a few areas of differentiation that have started to emerge.

Among Rheumatologists who have used the new anti-TNF products, overall satisfaction has increased to 60% with Simponi and 50% with Cimzia. While both Simponi and Cimzia are expected to gain market share in the next six months, the combined share of the two agents is not expected to exceed 12% of the biologic share in Rheumatoid Arthritis which has been a consistent estimate over the course of the six month study.

Looking to the future, there continues to be a clear desire for agents that offer alternative mechanisms of action. Across all four waves of this research, Rheumatologists have consistently reported high familiarity and interest in Roche's ACTEMRA, an IL-6 inhibitor currently in Phase III clinical trials. More than two-thirds of the survey respondents anticipate that Actemra would be most likely to replace their infused products such as Centocor's Remicade and BMS's Orencia within their practices.

Uptake of Simponi and Cimzia will continue to be covered in a syndicated series of quarterly reports offered by BioTrends, "TreatmentTrends®: The Use of Biologics in Rheumatology." With the dynamic RA market continuing to evolve during 2009, and with additional changes anticipated, BioTrends is pleased to announce these reports will now be published on a quarterly basis beginning in 2010 with first publication of this report available in April 2010. TreatmentTrends® reports are based on primary market research and provide insight into the practice patterns, attitudes, perceptions and use of current products as well as those in late stage development.

About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. (www.bio-trends.com) provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. To purchase this report or to learn more about BioTrends syndicated publications, please contact Paul Callahan at (610) 363-3872 or visit us at www.bio-trends.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE BioTrends Research Group, Inc.

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