RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - February 6, 2009) - In the news release, "Extavia's
Launch Foreshadows Novartis' Future Intentions in the Multiple Sclerosis
Market, According to Cutting Edge Information," issued on Wednesday,
February 5 by Cutting Edge Information, we are advised by the company that
Copaxone was incorrectly identified as an orally administered drug in the
third paragraph of the original release. Complete corrected text follows.
Minor revisions have been applied throughout.
Extavia's Launch Foreshadows Novartis' Future Intentions in the Multiple
Sclerosis Market, According to Cutting Edge Information
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC -- February 05, 2009 -- Novartis' recent launch
of Extavia in Europe may not significantly alter the multiple sclerosis
landscape, but it points to the entrance of a formidable new player into
the market. Extavia is a rebranded Betaseron, for which Novartis gained
distribution rights when it acquired Chiron in 2005. Extavia's launch
points to larger aspirations, however.
According to Cutting Edge Information's newly published neurodegenerative
market analysis report, "Neurodegenerative Market Forecast to 2013"
(
http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative), Novartis plans to
launch a new drug in 2010 that will eventually become a multiple sclerosis
blockbuster.
Novartis' fingolimod, an immunomodulatory agent, is one of many oral
treatments in Phase III trials for multiple sclerosis. Even without an oral
mode of administration, Teva's immunomodulatory drug Copaxone had nearly $2
billion in sales last year and is projected to reach nearly $3 billion in
2012.
"Copaxone has been the leading non-interferon treatment for MS since its
approval in 1997, but oral immunomodulatory agents will likely be the
future drugs of choice for MS patients looking to supplement or replace
interferon therapy," said Jeremy Spivey, lead writer for the report.
"Interferons are effective for many but require frequent injections and
have significant side effects."
"Pharmaceutical Business Review" reported recently that Novartis is using
Extavia's launch to strengthen its neurology sales force in anticipation of
fingolimod. With Novartis' neurology sales forces already promoting Exelon
and Stalevo for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively,
Novartis is attempting to solidify its position in the scientifically
challenging neurodegenerative treatment marketplace.
More information on these upcoming oral MS agents and other
neurodegenerative drugs can be found in Cutting Edge Information's
"Neurodegenerative Market Forecast to 2013"
(
http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative). This report provides
actionable information for drugs designed to combat multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
The 201-page report consists of 40 brand profiles, which detail each
product's competitive and strategic positioning, market opportunities, and
patent and litigation data. The profiles include the following information:
-- Drug's current and projected competitive strength
-- Current/projected sales position within its class
-- Sales projection charts for the next four to seven years
-- Assessment of competition
-- Materiality charts
-- Clinical trial information
Download a complimentary report brochure at
http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/neurodegenerative.
Contact Information: Contact:
Jeremy Spivey
Lead Author
919-433-0373