The Launch of Merck's Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Will Transform the Treatment Paradigm for Transplant Recipients, While the Availability of a New Prophylactic Vaccine and Antibody Will Drive Growth in the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Market

BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that the number of treatment-eligible patients in the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) markets will grow through 2025 in the areas under study. A common feature of the RSV and CMV markets is the high unmet need and commercial opportunity, as affected patients are underserved by the current armamentarium due to the lack of vaccines and safe and effective therapeutics. CMV infections remain especially problematic for transplant recipients, and currently available therapies have safety limitations, underscoring the need for agents with improved safety profiles. Merck & Co.'s letermovir is in late-stage development for CMV and is poised to address this need and is forecasted to transform the transplant sector.

RSV infection leads to significant morbidity and mortality in infants born during the RSV season, and elderly patients with weakened immune systems; addressing RSV infection in these key patient groups will drive significant growth in the RSV market. AstraZeneca/AbbVie's Synagis (palivizumab) is currently the only agent approved for RSV, but the prophylactic antibody is only recommended for use in a small group of infants born prematurely. Regeneron's REGN-2222 is expected to expand the treatment-eligible population and Novavax's RSV-F vaccine, if successfully developed, is forecasted to gain uptake in the elderly population.

Other key findings from the Niche & Rare Disease Landscape & Forecast reports entitled Cytomegalovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

• Epidemiological analysis finds that over 70,000 patients undergo transplantation in the United States and the five major European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and are at high risk of complications from CMV infection. The availability of safer CMV therapies will increase the number of patients initiating and remaining on prophylactic therapy, driving overall growth in the market.
• Previous failures of investigational agents for CMV has stunted market growth in this space. However, interviewed experts remain optimistic that these failures are due to trial design, and that the current pipeline shows promise in addressing CMV.
• DRG estimates that over 150 million elderly patients and 120,000 infants could be eligible for a RSV vaccine or prophylactic antibody in the markets under study.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Michael Breen, Ph.D.:

• "Despite the availability of entrenched generics, there is high need for novel antivirals against CMV, given the safety drawbacks associated with current options; further, the constant threat of drug resistance remains a significant concern due to the limited armamentarium."
• "While the number of patients that could benefit from RSV treatment is significant, the seasonal and acute nature of RSV infections has been a barrier to development of novel antivirals against RSV. Increasing awareness and timely diagnosis of RSV, potentially via the use of rapid diagnostics, will be key to successful development and commercialization of novel antiviral agents."

Additional Resources:

• Decision Resources Group will present a webinar based on this report entitled: The Evolving Market Landscape for Cytomegalovirus Infections.
• For more information on purchasing this report, please email [email protected].

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value data, analytics and insights products and services to the healthcare industry, delivered by more than 1,000 employees across 14 global locations. DRG provides the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, financial services and payer industries with the tools, insights and advice they need to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex and value-based marketplace. DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

Media contact:
Ashton Verzone
Decision Resources Group
[email protected]
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SOURCE Decision Resources Group

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