COPD market will keep drug firms busy

SAN JOSE, Calif.— The growing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the high, unmet medical need for drugs that can stop or reverse the progression of the disease provide great opportunities for pharmaceutical companies. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, U.S. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Therapies Markets, reveals that this industry generated revenues totaling $1.89 billion in 2001. Total market revenues could reach $2.97 billion in 2008. The growing acceptance of long-acting beta2 agonist therapies is the major driver behind growth in market revenues. According to Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst T. O'Connell, "The efficacy of longer-acting bronchodilators in controlling COPD and preventing acute exacerbations are reducing patients' dependence on short-acting bronchodilators." The use of combination bronchodilators is also on the rise. Combination products reduce the number of inhalers used by patients who require multiple active ingredients, besides being more cost effective than individual inhalers. Another high growth area is the inhaled corticosteroids market, which is expected to outpace that of other segments of the U.S. COPD market during the forecast period. "With more than 14 million undiagnosed COPD patients in the U.S., the market is yet largely untapped," said O'Connell. HME