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New ways of delivering insulin are about to appear on the
market after many years of research. Long-term studies are
now paying off at just the right time, since the incidence
of diabetes is increasing globally. Indeed, the World Health
Organisation predicts the number of diabetics will double
by the year 2025 due to the increased number of elderly
people and rising obesity. According to the Pharmaceutical
World Review 1999, the worldwide market for insulins
was valued at $2.3 billion in 1998, showing 10% growth in
local currency $ terms, over 1997. The North American market
accounts for 39% of the total.
One
of the reasons for poor diabetic control is the fact that
patients are required to inject themselves every day. Not
only does this reduce compliance - it can also lead to complications.
The fact that new delivery systems are appearing just as
the incidence of diabetes rises means that many diabetics
will be spared the inconvenience of injections.
Three
new methods
There
are three principal new delivery systems that have been
tested. These are:
Each
has its own difficulties in ensuring that the right dose
reaches the required tissues. However, inhaled insulin is
likely to be the first to market, in 2001, thanks to joint
development work by Pfizer and Hoechst Marion Roussel. This
formulation of insulin has been developed by Inhale Therapeutic
Systems - it is licensed to Pfizer and HMR is supplying
the recombinant insulin. Information about these companies
and their strategies for insulin delivery can be found in
Pharmaceutical
Company Profiles.
Close
behind inhaled insulin is oral insulin, which is currently
in Phase II trials, and Canada’s Generex Biotechnology also
expects to launch its product during 2001. However, competition
from transdermal insulin is likely to impact on inhaled
and oral forms, since this is already in Phase I tests.
Details on the development of alternative insulins can be
found on IMS HEALTH’s drug development database R&D
focus.
10-year
forecasts for insulin sales, taking into account future
events such as new launches, are provided by IMS HEALTH’s
Pharmacast
&Beyond therapy class forecasting system.
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