Drug Sales in the Leukemia Market Will Be Driven By Therapies From Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogen Idec, Roche and Cephalon

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that growth in the leukemia market will be driven mostly by chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) therapies (Novartis's Gleevec and Tasigna and Bristol-Myers Squibb's Sprycel) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) therapies (Biogen Idec/Roche's Rituxan and Cephalon's Treanda) until 2015, when patent and orphan-drug exclusivities of key brands will impact the sustainability of this growth.

The new Spectrum report entitled Strategic Overview of Chronic and Acute Leukemias finds that 90 percent of patients respond to receiving Gleevec, presenting it as an ideal model for companies developing targeted leukemia therapies. However, while CML and CLL therapies are predicted to drive the leukemia market, the treatable-pool of chronic and acute leukemia patient populations -- CML, CLL, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) -- is projected to grow at only low single-digit compound annual growth rates through 2015, which could potentially hamper research and development efforts.

"Patient population size could be considered a constraint to development of new drugs, since if patients are considered on the basis of genetic variants, the potential pool of treatable patients for a particular therapy can be further narrowed," states Matthew Drapeau, analyst with Decision Resources. "In addition, a lack of understanding of the etiology of leukemia is constraining clinical and commercial progress."

In addition to providing a forecast for key leukemia brands in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the Strategic Overview of Chronic and Acute Leukemias provides insight on:

• U.S. hematological-oncologist opinions on diagnosis, current and emerging therapies, treatment decisions and other factors.
• Leukemia treatment market drivers and constraints
• Patent expiries and biosimilars competition

About Strategic Overview Reports

Strategic Overview reports are a new offering within the Spectrum franchise. These reports are comprehensive examinations of dynamic biopharmaceutical markets and industry issues. Primary research, data analysis, thought-leader consultation and the expertise of the industry-savvy Spectrum staff drive reports that offer breadth of coverage along with depth of strategic insight.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.DecisionResources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. 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, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

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

SOURCE Decision Resources