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Drugs from Astrazeneca/Renovis and Sanofi-Aventis Have the Potential to Revolutionize the Treatment of Several Neurologic Indications

Tuesday September 5, 8:00 am ET

New Drug Launches Will Propel Neuroprotectant Sales to Nearly $3 Billion in 2020, According to a New Report from Decision Resources

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that neuroprotectants, including drugs from AstraZeneca/Renovis and Sanofi-Aventis, have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of several neurologic indications. Neuroprotectants will be used to treat acute neurologic indications such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and traumatic brain injury as well as neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

According to the new Pharmacor report entitled Neuroprotection: Analysis of Drug Development and Emerging Therapies, neuroprotectants will launch in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan during the 2005 - 2020 study period, beginning with the launch in 2008 of AstraZeneca/Renovis's NXY-059 for the treatment of AIS.

The report finds that the high prevalence of AIS combined with the extensive unmet need for a safe treatment for the disease, and off-label use in the United States, will drive NXY-059 to blockbuster status with sales in the United States and Europe reaching over $1.5 billion in 2020. Along with NXY-059, Sanofi-Aventis's Xaprila (xaliprodene) and SR-57667 will be major players in this market, driving sales of neuroprotectants to nearly $3 billion in 2020. Sales of xaliprodene and SR-57667 will total over $1.2 billion by 2020, driven by the high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and the requirement for chronic administration of these drugs. However, significant challenges exist in this market, compared to AIS.

"Prior to NXY-059's successful completion of the first Stroke Acute Ischemic NXY Treatment (SAINT-1) trial, approval for a neuroprotectant was elusive in the United States and Europe," said Andrea Witt, Ph.D., analyst at Decision Resources, Inc. "If the second SAINT trial provides similar results, the approval of NXY-059 will set a drug development and regulatory precedent by renewing the interest of drug makers in this field and will pave the way for the development of emerging neuroprotectants over the next decade."

About Neuroprotectants

Neuroprotectants are agents that have the potential to prevent neuronal death after injury that could be used in a wide range of neurologic indications, all characterized by acute unmet need.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources, Inc. (http://www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Marshall
Decision Resources, Inc.
781-296-2563
emarshall@dresources.com


Source: Decision Resources, Inc.

Dumann,

Interesting post - it's good to see that drugs companies are looking at neuro-protective drugs. And possible drugs are not that far away!

What's also interesting is that the CRAB manufacturers always describe MS as an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, but the companies working on neuro-protective drugs refer to MS as 'a neurodegenerative disease'.

Ian

Dunmann, great info! It makes me so hopeful to see articles where progress has actually been made and it's not just a theory. I see that NXY-059 is due to be released in 2008 for AIS but any info on when anything might be available for MS? They just kept talking about what their sales would be in 2020 and I surely hope we don't have to wait that long Either way it's very hopeful news.