Three-Quarters of HCV Patients Who Have Previously Failed Treatment and Two-Thirds of Treatment-Naive HCV Patients are Unlikely to Initiate Treatment with a Currently Available Regimen Within the Next Year

EXTON, Pa., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that three-quarters of patients who have failed prior regimens, regardless of genotype, are not likely to re-treat their chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with a currently available regimen within the next year. Managing physicians cite that over half will forego re-treatment in the next year because they are waiting for new products currently in development to become available. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130103/MM36805LOGO)

The ChartTrends^®: Hepatitis C Virus (US) report also finds that two-thirds of treatment-naive patients, regardless of genotype, are not likely to initiate treatment with a currently available regimen within the next year.  The most common reason for genotype 1 treatment-naive patients to forego treatment, according to their managing physicians, is because they are waiting for interferon-free products in development to become available, while mild progression of disease and/or little to no liver involvement are contributing factors for delaying treatment among genotype 2/3 treatment-naive patients.

"Although many patients are waiting to treat their HCV infection, one-quarter of the patients who have previously failed treatment and one-third of treatment-naive patients are likely to begin treatment within the next year with a currently available regimen," said BioTrends Research Group Associate Director Lynn Price. "Among patients who are likely to initiate treatment in the next year, 54 to 64 percent are expected to initiate a triple therapy regimen with Vertex's Incivek, while only 16 to 26 percent are estimated likely to be treated/re-treated with a regimen containing Merck's Victrelis."

The recently published report also finds that the vast majority of genotype 1 patients currently on active triple therapy, regardless of the protease inhibitor brand, have achieved early and rapid virological responses since beginning their treatment. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of genotype 1 patients who have recently completed triple therapy, regardless of the protease inhibitor brand, have achieved a sustained virological response, four to five months post-completion of their regimen.   

ChartTrends^®: Hepatitis C Virus (US) is a quantitative publication based on patient audit data collected from 1,053 HCV patient charts provided by 100 gastroenterologists, 50 hepatologists and 50 infectious disease specialists in March - April 2013 in the United States. The report includes analysis of genotype 1 and genotype 2/3 patients, as well as three patient subgroups: currently treated/recently completed treatment, treatment-naive and prior-treatment failures. Through an in-depth review of patient charts, the report provides insight into how patient demographics, comorbidities and risk factors and lab values influence treatment decisions and brand selection.  

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 contact us at 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