Four biologics reached blockbuster status in 2005, according to Signals, which follows the biotech and pharmaceutical industries: adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis that was developed by Abbott Laboratories; bevacizumab, Genentech’s anti-VEGF antibody for colorectal cancer; palivizumab, MedImmune’s respiratory syncytial virus antibody for use in high-risk pediatric patients; and Roche’s flu drug, oseltamivir.
Amgen’s etanercept and Centocor’s infliximab — both of which carry indications for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases — replaced Johnson & Johnson’s version of the anemia drug epoetin alfa (sales of which were down 9 percent from 2004 to 2005) as best-selling products. Along with adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab combined for more than $8.5 billion in sales last year.
Sales growth of top 10 biologics
Lines indicate total growth, showing sales at year of introduction and in 2005. Changes in intervening years not depicted.
* Not available.
SOURCES: «SIGNALSMAG.COM», IMS HEALTH, BUSINESS INSIGHTS, «CNNMONEY.COM»
Seven new biologics with potential global blockbuster status are expected to launch in the United States in 2006, according to IMS Health, including Pfizer’s sunitinib (Sutent), for cancer, with projected yearly sales of about $1.5 billion by 2010. IMS says biotech products were the major growth engine for pharmaceutical sales in 2005, a trend that is expected to continue in 2006 and beyond. Three Amgen products — darbepoetin, etanercept, and PEG-filgrastim — and rituximab from Genentech were prime contributors to the 17.2 percent increase in sales of biotech drugs in 2005. Total biotech sales in 2005 reached $32.8 billion.
Looking ahead, the biotech industry is poised for explosive growth. Sales could grow to $250 billion — 20 percent of the world’s pharmaceutical market. Analysts expect steadily growing sales for the rest of this decade for epoetin alfa (Epogen) — which is used to treat anemia in dialysis patients — along with bevacizumab, infliximab, and adalimumab.