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Age and Ethnicity of Patients Influence Development of Cardiovascular Drug Therapies

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 May 2008, 09:01 CDT

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular conditions such as stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease (CAD) hastens the development of suitable cardiovascular drug therapies among the elderly. The risks involved in surgeries on elderly patients and the existence of a patient category, in which long-term dietary control and physical activity are not sufficient or even appropriate, boost the prospects of cardiovascular drug therapies in both developed and developing nations.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com), Advances in Cardiovascular Drug Therapy, finds that despite significant efforts toward the development of novel cardiovascular biomarkers for identifying risk factors, optimizing drug dosage, and introducing new treatment guidelines, only a few have been completely validated. Hence, to accelerate the development of improved cardiovascular therapeutic and diagnostic strategies, it is imperative to share knowledge and encourage collaborative research efforts. This requires open communication channels among researchers, drug developers and regulators.

If you are interested in analysis, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview, summary, challenges, and latest coverage of the advances in cardiovascular drug therapy, send an e-mail to Johanna Haynes, Corporate Communications, at jhaynes_pr@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, company telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Increases in healthcare cost for surgery, along with the flaw of not offering guarantees of long-term benefits create a burden among chronic patients. These burdens highlight the benefits of cardiovascular drug therapies, which are not only economical but also extend patients' life span. Commercial drug developers are already looking to tap into the potential of these drugs, since patients are likely to use them throughout their lives.

Furthermore, drug discovery companies must note that the efficacy of certain drugs like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), inhibitors that treat hypertension, will vary across ethnic groups. Additionally, scientists must consider genomic variation factors such as the occurrence of gene polymorphisms, thus they understand a patient's response to the drug and provide effective therapies.

Meanwhile, many branded cardiovascular disease (CVD) drugs are facing patent expiry, and some have already lost their patent protection. This will please generic drug manufacturers, as they will be able to market versions of the branded drugs at much lower costs.

While this trend is beneficial to patients, since generic drugs cost almost less than half of branded drugs, it will certainly constrain pharmaceutical companies. Consequently, their revenues from branded mediations will reduce by more than 80 percent, and they could also experience a decline in profits if they are unable to replace lost revenues by achieving economy of scale.

"Drug manufacturers can circumvent this challenge by identifying additional indications for the drug and extending its patent life," says Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights Research Analyst Sangeetha Prabakar. "This will prevent generic companies from competing against them."

Drug developers must also be careful not to extend the duration of clinical trials of drugs meant for life-long use. While extended trials could enhance the drug's safety profile, it could also increase its time to market and cost. Even its blockbuster status will not help it stave off competition from alternatives that reached the market sooner, especially in the case of drugs for critical illnesses. In this situation, pharmaceuticals can provide their products as conditionally approved drugs that will be available only through a prescription.

Companies introducing drugs for current treatable conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and thrombosis must have relevant data that validates the drug's superior risk-reduction abilities. This is because the CVD drug market is highly competitive, and there is little differentiation among the various commercial drugs.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies can establish a competitive advantage by tailoring clinical trials to achieve unique product positioning. They should aim at integrating the entire value chain - starting from clinical trials to devising an innovative marketing strategy. It is imperative that drug trials generate valuable clinical outcomes with surrogate markers as well.

"Proving the drug's worth through clinical differentiation, especially when there are already proven competing drugs for the same indication, may have a positive influence on physicians," notes Prabakar. "Other major benefits that a well-differentiated drug profile offers companies are competitive pricing and greater chances of reimbursement."

Advances in Cardiovascular Drug Therapy, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, which provides a technology overview and outlook for the cardiovascular drug development. The study covers antihypertensives, antidyslipidemics, antithrombotics, antiarrhythmics and combination drugs. This research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com. Advances in Cardiovascular Drug Therapy D114

Source: Business Wire

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