Fibromyalgia - Potentially lucrative market soon to become reality

Mainly affecting women, fibromyalgia syndrome affects six million people in the US alone. This relatively common yet poorly understood syndrome is characterized by widespread muscle pain and fatigue and remains substantially underserved by the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, there are no drugs licensed to treat fibromyalgia in the US, Japan or Europe.

Following FDA approvals, Datamonitor foresees a dramatic rise in market value resulting from an upsurge in diagnosis and treatment rates. Estimated at $367m in 2006 in the US and 5EU, the market is forecast to grow to $1.7 billion in 2016.

Commercial success of new fibromyalgia brands will encourage other companies to consider investment, and will see the R&D pipeline for new therapies increase over the coming years. A defined regulatory pathway will also attract future investors.

Polypharmacotherapy will become commonplace in fibromyalgia management and Lyrica with Cymbalta will be a popular combination. This is good news for Lilly and Pfizer as it will effectively expand their market by reducing competition.

Read more...

• Fibromyalgia (10/10/2008)
• Neuropathic Pain (19/05/2008)

• Canadian Generics Market (21/05/2008)
• Female Sexual Dysfunction (21/05/2008)
• Supportive Care in Oncology (21/05/2008)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (21/05/2008)
• Monoclonal Antibodies (21/05/2008)
• Depression (21/05/2008)
• Insomnia (21/05/2008)
• Multiple Sclerosis (21/05/2008)
• Osteoporosis (21/05/2008)

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