By the end of 2003 the world market for erythropoietin was valued at $10.3 billion, a growth of 14% over 2002. The market has been growing at an average annual growth rate of 21% over the previous 5 years.
The market for Erythropoietin is very lucrative. Marketing costs are low due to the well-defined patient population and distribution costs are low due to the limited distribution outlets. Since the market is a virtual oligopoly barriers to entry are high thus insuring high profitability.
Although patent fortification in the US limits competition in this market opportunities are still available for new comers. Epoetin Alfa key patents starts to expire in the US in October 2004 and in Europe in December 2004.
Already generic products have been developed and is currently being marketed in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
With such a huge market at stakes both large multinationals such as Novartis’s Sandoz biogenerics division and large generics producers such as Ratiopharm of Germany are eyeing the market.
Many new and emerging dedicated biogenerics companies are also eyeing the market and some of them have already launched their products in selected niche markets.
Many licensing opportunities for fully developed generics versions of epoetin alfa are available.
Written with the senior executive needs in mind, Erythropoietin – Current Market Dynamics & Future outlook, is a must read for pharmaceutical and medical biotech professionals interested in high growth area therapeutics or in Biogenerics.
