PRESS RELEASE: Proper Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease to Drive Growth of Therapies Market

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Press Release
Source: Frost & Sullivan

Proper Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease to Drive Growth of Therapies Market
Tuesday August 12, 9:48 am ET

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical misdiagnosis or under- 
diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is
curbing the market potential for its therapies in the U.S. Pharmaceutical 
majors are stepping up their efforts to
enhance awareness among physicians and neurologists to improve accuracy of 
diagnosis.
(Logo:  )

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (  ), U.S. Parkinson's 
Disease Therapies Markets, reveals that
this market generated revenues worth $625.0 million in 2002 and is likely to 
reach $1284.4 million by 2009.

"Industry participants need to support the development of imaging techniques 
and biomarkers, which would assist
diagnosis of PD at a much earlier stage, identify high-risk patients prior to 
clinical onset, and monitor disease
progression and therapeutic response," says Frost & Sullivan Pharmaceuticals & 
Biotech Industry Manager Ajit Baid.

The market has witnessed brisk growth with the advent of dopamine agonists and 
their use as first-line therapy during
the early stages of PD. They can also double-up as adjunctive therapy to the 
gold-standard levodopa/carbidopa regimens
during advanced stages of the disease.

Many neurologists are prescribing these high-priced, proficient drugs to treat 
newly diagnosed patients. However,
market penetration will depend on educating family physicians prescribing 
low-cost therapies with levodopa/carbidopa
and their generic versions, which can be delayed until necessary.

"Manufacturers should highlight specific product benefits during the various 
stages of PD in medical conventions,
educational programs, and sales promotions," says Baid. "This will boost demand 
since use of dopamine agonists is
prolific only in the initial periods and much less during the later stages."

Pharmaceutical companies should conduct extensive clinical trials and explore 
the possibility of combination therapies
to prolong the therapeutic value of dopamine agonists.

"Stalevo, a fixed-dose drug combination of levodopa/carbidopa and COMT 
inhibitor entacapone, launched by Novartis in
July 2003 is a classic example of how the industry has responded to this 
challenge," says Baid.

Neuroprotection is the key to future PD medications and market participants 
will need to collaborate with biotech
companies for developing novel therapies to retard the chronic progression of 
the disease.

Frost & Sullivan is a global leader in strategic growth consulting and 
training. This ongoing growth opportunity
analysis is part of the Pharmaceuticals Monitor Service (9611), and CNS 
Therapeutics Monitor Service (9629), which also
includes market insights on U.S. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 
Markets (A450-01) and U.S. Emerging
Transdermal Drug Delivery Technologies Markets (A429-01). Frost & Sullivan also 
offers custom growth consulting to a
variety of national and international companies. Interviews are available to 
the press.

U.S. Parkinson's Disease Therapies Markets
Report: A232

Contact:
Danielle White
Media Relations Executive
P: 210.247.2403
F: 210.348.1003
E: dwhite@xxxxxxxxx


Source: Frost & Sullivan / Yahoo News (press release)


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