Migraine - Innovation essential as weak late-stage pipeline fails to hold off the impact of triptan

After the launch of Trexima in 2007, triptan genericization coupled with a weak late-stage pipeline will result in a major shift in market dynamics, and will result in the migraine market value decreasing to $3.2 billion in 2015. The market remains receptive to superior prophylactics however, with innovation being essential for the progression of the acute market, post-triptan era.

Due to Imitrex's commercial success, GSK is the current migraine market leader. Trexima, co-developed by GSK and Pozen represents GSK's product line extension for its migraine franchise, but approval delays and the impending US sumatriptan patent expiry will limit its success.

The next big thing in the prophylactic market will be the label expansion of Allergan's Botox and Ipsen's Dysport. Seven major market Botox and Dysport combined sales for migraine are forecast to grow to over $170m in 2015.

The presence of glutamatergic receptor inhibitors, NOS inhibitors and CGRP antagonists, amongst others in early stage clinical trials, indicate companies are developing innovative drugs for the post triptan future. With all identified to play a role in the biological mechanisms of migraine, there holds great potential in such novel drug targets.

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