 |
 |
Press Release Source: Frost & Sullivan Proper Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease to Drive Growth of Therapies Market Tuesday August 12, 9:48 am ET PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical misdiagnosis or under- diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is curbing the market potential for its therapies in the U.S. Pharmaceutical majors are stepping up their efforts to enhance awareness among physicians and neurologists to improve accuracy of diagnosis. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010731/DATU003LOGO ) New analysis from Frost & Sullivan ( http://www.frost.com ), U.S. Parkinson's Disease Therapies Markets, reveals that this market generated revenues worth $625.0 million in 2002 and is likely to reach $1284.4 million by 2009. "Industry participants need to support the development of imaging techniques and biomarkers, which would assist diagnosis of PD at a much earlier stage, identify high-risk patients prior to clinical onset, and monitor disease progression and therapeutic response," says Frost & Sullivan Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Industry Manager Ajit Baid. The market has witnessed brisk growth with the advent of dopamine agonists and their use as first-line therapy during the early stages of PD. They can also double-up as adjunctive therapy to the gold-standard levodopa/carbidopa regimens during advanced stages of the disease. Many neurologists are prescribing these high-priced, proficient drugs to treat newly diagnosed patients. However, market penetration will depend on educating family physicians prescribing low-cost therapies with levodopa/carbidopa and their generic versions, which can be delayed until necessary. "Manufacturers should highlight specific product benefits during the various stages of PD in medical conventions, educational programs, and sales promotions," says Baid. "This will boost demand since use of dopamine agonists is prolific only in the initial periods and much less during the later stages." Pharmaceutical companies should conduct extensive clinical trials and explore the possibility of combination therapies to prolong the therapeutic value of dopamine agonists. "Stalevo, a fixed-dose drug combination of levodopa/carbidopa and COMT inhibitor entacapone, launched by Novartis in July 2003 is a classic example of how the industry has responded to this challenge," says Baid. Neuroprotection is the key to future PD medications and market participants will need to collaborate with biotech companies for developing novel therapies to retard the chronic progression of the disease. Frost & Sullivan is a global leader in strategic growth consulting and training. This ongoing growth opportunity analysis is part of the Pharmaceuticals Monitor Service (9611), and CNS Therapeutics Monitor Service (9629), which also includes market insights on U.S. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Markets (A450-01) and U.S. Emerging Transdermal Drug Delivery Technologies Markets (A429-01). Frost & Sullivan also offers custom growth consulting to a variety of national and international companies. Interviews are available to the press. U.S. Parkinson's Disease Therapies Markets Report: A232 Contact: Danielle White Media Relations Executive P: 210.247.2403 F: 210.348.1003 E: [log in to unmask] http://www.frost.com Source: Frost & Sullivan / Yahoo News (press release) http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030812/datu025_1.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn