Hemodialysis Patient Share for Sanofi's Ferrlecit Increased Significantly in the First Quarter of 2013 Compared to the Previous Quarter

EXTON, Pa., April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that in hemodialysis (HD), Sanofi's Ferrlecit patient share has experienced a significant 9 percent increase between Q4 2012 and Q1 2013. In Chronic Kidney Disease Non-Dialysis (CKD-ND), patient share for American Regent's Venofer has increased significantly since this period last year (at the expense of Ferrlecit and AMAG Pharmaceuticals' Feraheme), although the percent of patients on IV iron in this patient population is considerably lower than in the HD population.   

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The TreatmentTrends^®: Nephrology (U.S.) report, in which 200 U.S. based nephrologists were surveyed, also finds that—in regard to bone and mineral metabolism—reported phosphate binder use declined in every late stage CKD and dialysis patient population, significantly in HD and peritoneal dialysis, compared to Q4 2012. The report also notes a decline of phosphate binder use over longer time periods.

"There may be several reasons why phosphate binder use appears to be declining over time, including influence of dialysis bundling, cost containment pressures for the facility and more expensive patient co-pays," said BioTrends Research Group Director of Nephrology Rob Dubman. "Another theory is less use of combination binder therapy—in fact, while reported combination use has remained fairly consistent in CKD-ND, the TreatmentTrends Nephrology report series has found a significant decline of binder combination therapy in the dialysis population over time."

The first quarter of 2013 was also marked with clinical advances for Keryx Biopharmaceuticals' Zerenex, Rockwell Medical's SFP and Vifor Pharma's PA21. Despite these clinical advances, surveyed nephrologists' familiarity with these products is generally low, but interest is moderate to high after respondents reviewed a brief product description. The report provides further details regarding the percent of patients likely to be candidates for these products and likely products to be replaced by the new iron-based binders.

TreatmentTrends^®: Nephrology (U.S.) is a syndicated quarterly report series, based on primary market research that provides a comprehensive view of the current and expected future management of renal anemia and bone and mineral metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease. Topics include percent of patients on each therapy, patient share, therapy initiation levels, perception of current laboratory values, attribute importance and performance ratings, bundling, compliance, statement agreements, reaction to new products in development, among other topics. The Q1 2013 wave published in March 2013 and the Q2 2013 wave will publish in June 2013. Survey instrument is available upon request.

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SOURCE BioTrends Research Group