Insomnia - Targeting the sleep maintenance market

The launch of serotonin antagonists which are largely aimed at treating sleep maintenance is set to make a substantial impact on the insomnia market, which will increase in value across the seven major markets from $6.1 billion in 2006 to $7.7 billion in 2016.

Serotonin receptor antagonists are the most prevalent drug class in the late-stage insomnia pipeline. This represents a move away from the GABA agonists which currently dominate the market. Datamonitor predicts that serotonin antagonist companies will be important players in the market in the future, led by Sanofi-Aventis' eplivanserin.

The majority of pipeline drugs are being investigated for sleep maintenance as opposed to sleep onset insomnia and there is a trend towards the development of drugs for the treatment of co-morbid disorders.

In March 2007, Merck & Co. and Lundbeck discontinued development of their Phase III drug, gaboxadol, due to disappointing trial results. Although this is a considerable blow to Lundbeck, the reduction in competition is positive news for current and future insomnia market players.

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