Neuropathic Pain - Emerging drugs fail to capitalize in lucrative market

The neuropathic pain market is forecast to double from 2006 to reach over $7 billion by 2016. At this time, the current late-stage neuropathic pain pipeline is forecast to take only 18% of the total market share, highlighting an opportunity for better pipeline drugs that demonstrate improved pain management. The most promising and closest pipeline drug to market is UCB's Vimpat (lacosamide).

UCB's increasing CNS portfolio is further bolstered by the imminent arrival of Vimpat on the market. CNS is a key area of investigation for UCB, constituting 39% of their sales in 2006. UCB has further expanded its reach by trialling this anticonvulsant not just for epilepsy but also for neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, migraine and osteoarthritis.

NeurogesX's Transacin (capsaicin) treatment is set to cause a stir in the topical market, currently dominated by Endo's Lidoderm (lidocaine 5% patch). The advantageous 3 monthly dosing regimen coupled with a strong efficacy and safety profile, will see Transacin draw favorable returns in its niche market.

Pfizer will continue to be a major contender in neuropathic pain, with the current market leader Lyrica predicted to be an even greater commercial success than its predecessor Neurontin (gabapentin). Pfizer's branded drugs are forecast to capture a substantial 41% of the neuropathic pain market share in 2016.

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