Interstitial Cystitis Therapeutics Market is Forecast to Witness Static Growth until 2019

Monday 12 March 2012, Amsterdam

The report is an essential source of information and analysis, identifying the key trends shaping and driving the global interstitial cystitis therapeutics market. The report also provides insights on the competitive landscape, emerging players expected to affect the market positioning of current market leaders, and pipeline products within the globalinterstitial cystitis therapeutics sector.

Interstitial Cystitis Therapeutics Market is Forecast to Witness Static Growth until 2019

An analysis shows that the global Interstitial Cystitis (IC) therapeutics market stood at $116.9m in 2006, and grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% to reach $151m in 2011. They forecasts that the global IC therapeutics market will grow at a CAGR of 6.3% over the next eight years to reach $245.7m by 2019. The current approved treatment option for IC includes pentosan polysulphate sodium (Elmiron) and dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50), both of which are now off patent. The generic dimethyl sulfoxide was launched in 2002; however, a generic pentosan polysulphate sodium is not yet available. Due to the limited availability of approved therapies, the current line of treatment is dominated by off-label drug options such as antidepressants (amitriptyline), antihistamines (hydroxyzine), analgesics (opioid and non-steroidal) and others. The IC therapeutics market is predicted to experience static growth during the forecast period, primarily due to the limited availability of approved products, low diagnosis rate, and lack of new product approvals during this period.

Interstitial Cystitis Therapeutics Market Is Flooded with Symptomatic Treatment Options

According to an analysis, the IC therapeutics market is weak at present. The market currently has only two approved treatment options for IC, namely Elmiron (pentosan polysulphate sodium) and Rimso-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide). Elmiron was approved on September 26, 1996, and its patent expired on January 19, 2010. Similarly, Rimso-50 was approved prior to January 1, 1982, and its patent expired before 2002. Elmiron must be orally administered three times a day for at a long treatment regimen of least six months. Rimso-50 is instilled intravesically in the bladder for 15 minutes to reduce inflammation, which is a painful and inconvenient process. Other off-label options include amitriptyline, hydroxyzine, and analgesics. All these available treatment options provide symptomatic relief only, and do not target the underlying cause of disease. These products also have efficacy limitations for IC. Therefore, the IC therapeutics market is currently weak, due to limitations regarding the efficacy and compliance of available products.

Weak Pipeline with Majority of the Molecules in the Early Stage of Development

An analysis suggests that the current pipeline for the IC therapeutics market is weak. The pipeline of IC treatment consists of 12 molecules, with one molecule in phase III, five molecules in phase II, and three molecules in phase I and the pre-clinical stage. There are seven First-In-Class (FIC) molecules, two me-too molecules, and two product extensions in the various stages of clinical development. Phase III of the pipeline does not have any company sponsored molecule. The only Phase III molecule, Humira (adalimumab), is being studied by IC study and Abbott is the collaborator for the study. The rest of the molecules are in early stages of development, and their impact on the market is entirely dependent on their clinical trial results.

Significant Unmet Need Poses Opportunity for New Entrants

An analysis suggests that bladder related diseases such as IC, otherwise known as Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS), is an area of significant unmet need. This unmet need is attributed to the efficacy limitation of drugs, and their administration and dosing pattern. There are only two approved treatment options for IC, namely Elmiron (pentosan polysulphate sodium) and Rimso-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide). Elmiron has a long regimen of treatment with limited efficacy, while administration of Rimso-50 is painful and inconvenient for the patient. These various disadvantages lead to a significant unmet need in the IC therapeutics market. Unmet need is also present in regards to diagnosis, as symptoms of IC are not always clear and can lead to confusion of the disease with overactive bladder syndrome, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), prostatitis, bacterial cystitis, and many other conditions. Increased awareness of IC among medical professionals, physicians and patients is required in order to encourage distinction of the condition apart from other confusable conditions. Other factors contributing to the significant unmet need include limited approved treatment options, lack of awareness, and need for disease modifying therapies.