Singapore hepatitis C therapeutics market revenue to increase to $4.5 billion by 2017

The Singaporean government's emphasis on raising awareness on the benefit of frequent health check-ups have significantly raised the number of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) diagnosed cases in the country, expanding the patient pool. Therapeutics companies have a challenging task ahead for improving treatment for this market as current treatment requires high dosage frequency, but potentially has serious side effects. Compounding the issue is that lower efficacy often results in patient non-compliance of extended treatment, which is often needed for 50 percent of patients with HCV genotype 1 - the most prevalent genotype in Singapore.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), Multi-client Study: Opportunities Assessment for Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in Singapore, finds that the market earned revenues of $2.3 billion in 2007 and is expected to increase to approximately $4.5 billion by 2017 due to anticipated drug launches post 2010.

"According to physicians, those afflicted with Hepatitis C genotype 1 have a sustained viral response of 50 percent to current therapies, resulting in prolonged treatment and patient noncompliance," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst, Jennifer Lau. "With 75 percent of those diagnosed with Hepatitis C in Singapore having genotype 1 strain, the current drug offerings are unable to capture a sizeable portion of the market."

The current treatment regimen of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for Hepatitis C has strong side effects such as developing autoimmune syndromes, neuropsychiatric disorders. The treatment also has a much lower efficacy for the genotype 1 strain, leading to patient noncompliance. These issues translate to missed treatment opportunities.

Companies that explore new treatments, which improve efficacy, decrease side effects, and increase compliance, are very likely to succeed in the market. Refined versions of current HCV drugs, oral formulations of small molecule inhibitors, and a new drug class known as protease inhibitors are in the pipeline and represent the future of HCV treatment.

Creating incentives for patients to continue the course of the current HCV treatment will increase the rate of patient compliance with new and improved treatments.

"In order to increase their HCV market share with newer drugs, companies must ensure that patients are aware of their disease status and are willing to try new treatments," notes Lau. "Creating marketing campaigns highlighting increase drug efficacy as well as partnerships with governments to lower costs and increase distribution will enhance their market presence."

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan