U.S. Physicians Report Diabetic Nephropathy as the Renal Condition with the Highest Unmet Need for Treatment

EXTON, Pa., March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that nephrologists believe that diabetic nephropathy is the renal condition with the highest unmet need for treatment, followed closely by acute kidney injury and polycystic kidney disease, according to TreatmentTrends: Diabetic Nephropathy (U.S.), a study of 105 U.S. physicians (52 nephrologists, 26 endocrinologists and 27 primary care physicians).

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For all physician groups, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are the most prescribed class of drugs for diabetic nephropathy followed by angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) and diuretics, while renin inhibitors are used the least. All physician groups use lisinopril, such as Merck's Prinvil or AstraZeneca's Zestril, more often than other ACE inhibitors. Endocrinologists prescribe ramipril, such as Pfizer's Altace or Sanofi's Triatec, significantly more often than nephrologists and primary care physicians do.

"Now that bardoxolone is no longer in development, the focus is on many new clinical compounds in development for diabetic nephropathy, including CTP-499 from Concert Pharmaceuticals or CCX140 from ChemoCentryx among others," said Rob Dubman, BioTrends' Director of Nephrology. "However, this study indicates that nephrologists are divided regarding the ideal primary end point for a product in clinical development, such as risk of doubling serum creatinine, change in creatinine clearance rate, or GFR, leading to greater complexity for the manufacturers."

TreatmentTrends®: Diabetic Nephropathy (U.S.) is a syndicated report, in which 105 U.S. physicians (52 nephrologists, 26 endocrinologists, and 27 primary care physicians) participated in an online survey. The intention of this study is to understand the diabetic nephropathy patient population, including patient load by stage and to understand what risk factors influence disease progression. In addition, this study covers the diagnosis and standard of care for patients with diabetic nephropathy and how therapy decisions differ based on disease presentation and specialty of physician treating. Finally, to understand the satisfaction with current treatment, potential for new pipeline products, and the unmet needs in the management of diabetic nephropathy.

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SOURCE BioTrends Research Group