Raptiva Withdrawal Offers Upside for Enbrel and Humira According to Latest BioTrends Survey of U.S. Derm...( EXTON Pa. May 28 /- BioTrends Researc...)

EXTON, Pa., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group today released its syndicated report TreatmentTrends(R): Psoriasis, the fourth annual survey of U.S. Dermatologists (n=150). The report, based on results of an on-line survey fielded in April, highlights shifting trends in the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This comprehensive report covers treatment approaches for mild, moderate, and severe patients with an emphasis on the evolving use of biologic agents.

The vast majority of psoriasis patients across all disease severity categories are prescribed topical agents. The most important attributes for topical agents, according to the respondents, are "Safe when used long term", "Efficacy", and "Covered by insurance plans". Galderma's Vectical, which was approved in February, is the only vitamin D3 ointment indicated for psoriasis and already has a perceived advantage on one of the most important attributes. 61% of the Dermatologists surveyed had prescribed Vectical, but market share is less than 3%. Taclonex and Clobex are the market share leaders for topical agents.

Use of oral agents to treat moderate and severe psoriasis declined for the second year in a row. Use of oral agents is divided primarily between methotrexate and Steifel's (now owned by GSK) Soriatane. Almost half of the surveyed Dermatologists identify methotrexate as the first line oral choice whereas 43% choose Soriatane.

On April 8th, 2009, Genentech and Roche announced the voluntary withdrawal of Raptiva from the U.S. market. Among the Dermatologists surveyed, 41% had patients on Raptiva at the time of the announcement, but only 11% had prescribed the product for a new patient in the past year. While 15% of the patients being treated with Raptiva are expected to be discontinued from biologic therapy, it appears that Enbrel (Amgen/Wyeth) and Humira (Abbott) stand to g
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