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Opportunities and Challenges in the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Market November 14, 2005
Decision Resources, Inc, Nov 2005, Pages: 18
Drug companies interested in entering the psychiatric market will find significant opportunity in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) market, whose growth is being driven primarily by an increase in the diagnosed, drug-treated adult population. However, drug companies face a major challenge in this market: therapies with novel mechanisms of action are not needed because the currently marketed psychostimulants quickly and effectively alleviate ADHD symptoms.
This report provides an overview of adult ADHD, including its prevalence in the major markets that we cover, discussion of current and emerging pharmacological therapies, the factors most likely to drive market growth over 2004-2014, and the challenges that face drug companies seeking to develop therapies for adult ADHD. Finally, we provide an outlook for the adult ADHD market, assessing the potential success of several emerging therapies.
Business Implications
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders, is also a common, often under-recognized, psychiatric disease in adults. Prevalence in the adult population has been difficult to estimate because of discrepancies in the definition of adult ADHD and the limited guidance on diagnosis of the disorder. However, recent studies have shown that prevalence of adult ADHD in the United States exceeds 4%.
- Currently, the most common pharmacological treatments for adult ADHD are psychostimulants. The exact mechanisms by which
these agents improve symptoms are not well understood, but their use is substantial and effective: physicians interviewed state that 80-90% of their patients treated with either methylphenidate or amphetamine experience a reduction in ADHD symptoms.
- Because psychostimulants are efficacious, there is little demand for novel mechanisms to treat adult ADHD. Shire’s NRP-104, a pro-drug of amphetamine, is the most exciting drug in development for ADHD, and we expect it to achieve blockbuster status. This drug, expected to launch in 2010, will offer the efficacy of amphetamine without the potential for abuse. Overall, Shire will launch four new ADHD agents by 2010, establishing itself as the market leader.
- Growth in the ADHD market will be fueled by several favorable factors, including physician adoption of a broader definition of the
disease, a low rate of misdiagnosis compared with other psychiatric disorders, and an increase in the number of adults who self-refer themselves for treatment. In addition, a growing selection of drugs approved for treatment of adult ADHD, a higher rate of compliance, and an increase in the number of days treated will drive growth in this therapeutic market.
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