COX-2 Inhibitors To Boost Rheumatoid Arthritis Market To $4 Billion By 2007

Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1% of the world's population. In the seven major pharmaceutical markets (United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Japan), about 6 million people suffered from the disease in 1997. Current pharmacological therapy for rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into three main categories: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Of the hundreds of potential rheumatoid arthritis therapies in development, the strongest candidates for success in the next five to ten years appear to be the new COX-2 inhibitors and COX/5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, leflunomide, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-a agents.

In a new report titled Rheumatoid Arthritis, Decision Resources, Inc. provides a detailed examination of this disorder. The report, which is based on in-depth interviews with opinion-leading physicians, evaluates epidemiology, medical practice, as well as current and emerging therapies to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The study also includes an unmet needs analysis and concludes with a detailed sales forecast for therapies to treat this disease in the seven major markets through 2007.

This study is part of Immune Disease, a multiclient service that evaluates the commercial potential of drugs in research and development to treat immune- related disorders.

For more information: Frank Sama, marketing manager, Decision Resources, Inc., Bay Colony Corporate Center, 1100 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451. Tel: 781-487-3753. Fax: 781-487-5750. In Europe: Vera Bisegna: Tel: +32-2-351-1079. Fax: +32-2-351-2347. In Japan: Makiko Yoshimoto. Tel: +81-3-5401-2615. Fax: +81-3-5401-2617.