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According to the study, the majority of Dermatologists reported anincrease in their use of biologics for the treatment of psoriasis in the pastyear, particularly in patients with moderate psoriasis. While the increaseduse of biologics was seen across the board, certain physician types,particularly those newer to practice, seem to be more aggressive in their useof these agents. Amgen/Wyeth's Enbrel continues to hold its position asmarket leader amongst the biologics, however, Abbott's Humira has increasedits share significantly in the past year, and Dermatologists expect its growthto continue, primarily at the expense of Enbrel. Genentech/Xoma's Raptiva andAstellas' Amevive are rarely used with a collective share of less than 10%.
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Despite the increased use of biologics, topical agents remain the mostcommonly prescribed therapy for psoriasis. Warner Chilcott's Taclonex,continues to hold its position as market leader among topical agents, althoughGalderma's Clobex is perceived to have significant advantages on certainattributes, most notably around its formulation. While the use of oral agentsto treat psoriasis increases with disease severity, less than one-third ofpatients with severe psoriasis are on oral therapies. Methotrexate andStiefel's Soriatane are the most commonly prescribed oral agents to treatpsoriasis, and each is perceived to have unique advantages and disadvantages.Similar to oral agents, the use of phototherapy to treat psoriasis increaseswith disease severity, although only about one-fifth of patients with severepsoriasis are receiving phototherapy treatment.
For all treatment types (topicals, orals, biologics), long-term safety isthe most important attribute. While all products fall short on this attributecompared to its importance, Dermatologists do perceive there to be significantsafety differences between products in each product class, and perceivedsafety seems to be an important factor in brand preference. Moreover, in aranking exercise of twelve attributes, "safe when used long term" was theattribute of greatest needs for new products in development to treatpsoriasis. Time will tell whether the new IL-12 agents, such as Centocor'sustekinumab and Abbott's ABT-874 will be able to penetrate the TNF alphainhibitor dominance in the Dermatology setting although interest in theseagents is high.
About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.
BioTrends Research Group, Inc. (http://www.bio-trends.com) providessyndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturerscompeting in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets.
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SOURCE BioTrends Research Group, Inc.
