Battle for HIV drug market share getting fiercer — maybe too fierce for some

摘要

The HIV market, worth US9.3-bn in 2007, is expected to grow to US15.1-bn by 2017, driven by the increasing prevalence of HIV worldwide and the longer life expectancy of patients receiving treatment. Despite this growth, the competition is getting tougher across all antiretroviral drug classes. New efficacy and side-effect data on GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) fixed-dose combination Epzicom and results from two major trials on the use of protease inhibitors will significantly change the dynamics within their respective classes. The first integrase inhibitor, Merck & Co's Isentress, launched in the autumn of 2007, is further intensifying the competition. According to a new report by independent market analyst Data-monitor, competition is becoming so intense some big players in the HIV market may eventually be either squeezed, or opt out.