Women's Health Series: Is There Change Ahead for the Female Infertility Market?

This report, along with the other reports in the Women’s Health Series, includes primary research with thought-leading clinicians. We conducted an in-depth survey with obstetricians/gynecologists who have expertise in treating infertility. In this report, you will find their opinions on current and emerging therapies as well as on treatment approaches to infertility.

Mounting evidence that a growing number of women are choosing to delay childbirth into their mid-to late thirties highlights a significant opportunity for new and efficacious infertility treatments. Despite the increasing level of need, the treatment of infertility has not changed significantly over the past several decades because drug developers have been put off by the relatively small market, reimbursement concerns, and the efficacy of existing treatment. However, there is room in this market for an agent that can address the infertility issues of the moderately high percentage of women who have failed existing treatments.

Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy

- It has long been established that fertility in women drops after age 35; however, an increasing number of women are waiting until this age to have children. What are the primary causes of infertility? What are the age ranges most highly affected by infertility, according to surveyed specialists?
- The newest agent for the treatment of infertility was approved in 2007; however, the most commonly prescribed agent is several decades old. What are the prescribing patterns of specialists for the various causes of infertility? What are the overall success rates of infertility treatments? What reimbursement policies are in place for infertility treatments?
- A significant percentage of women who undergo fertility treatments still fail to conceive. What emerging agents are being developed for infertility? What benefits do these agents offer over existing agents? What is the likelihood that these agents will establish a position in the infertility market?

Scope

- Overview of infertility: normal menstrual cycle and fertility, causes of infertility.
- Currently approved treatments for infertility: clomiphene citrate, follicle-stimulating hormones, human menopausal hormones, Schering-Plough’s Ganirelix, Merck Serono’s Ovidrel.
- Medical practice: U.S. specialists surveyed to determine current prescribing patterns for various types of infertility.
- Emerging treatments: a review of the infertility pipeline, including the lead agent, Schering- Plough’s corifollitropin alfa.
- Outlook for the infertility market: current market drivers and constraints, adoption of emerging agents.
- Women’s Health Series: In 2007, the market for women’s reproductive health exceeded $23 billion worldwide. In the Women’s Health Series, we examine three specific markets, focusing on areas of unmet need and the best marketing strategies to ensure adoption of a new agent. We will provide insight from a variety of thought leaders on the current state of disease treatment and their opinions on the most promising agents currently in the pipeline. SHOW LESS READ MORE >

Executive Summary 5
Strategic Considerations 5
Stakeholder Implications 5
Introduction 6

Overview of Female Infertility 6
Normal Menstrual Cycle and Fertility 6
Causes of Infertility 7
Anovulation 8
Endometriosis 8
Tubal Disorders 9
Current Therapies for Female Infertility 10
Sanofi-Aventis’s Clomid 10
Follicle-Stimulating Hormones 11
Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Bravelle 11
Schering-Plough’s Follistim AQ 12
Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Repronex 12
Schering-Plough’s Ganirelix 13
Merck Serono’s Ovidrel 13
Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Endometrin 13
Surgical Interventions 14

Medical Practice 16
Anovulation 16
Endometriosis 18
Unexplained Infertility 20
Emerging Therapies to Treat Female Infertility 21
Outlook for the Female Infertility Market 22

List of Tables
1. Approved Agents for the Treatment of Female Infertility 10
2. Emerging Therapies for the Treatment of Female Infertility 21

List of Figures
1. Estimated Percentages of Infertility Cases, by Type 7
2. Percentage of Infertility Patients, by Age Range, Seeking Treatment from an Obstetrician/Gynecologist 8
3. Survey Question: Of patients whose cause of infertility is endometriosis, what percentage fall into the mild, moderate, and severe categories? 9
4. Survey Question: Please rank your top three agents for follicle stimulation prior to an assisted reproduction procedure 14
5. Survey Question: In what percentage of your patients who receive assisted reproduction procedures do you prescribe luteal phase support medications? 15
6. Specialist Estimates of Distribution of Types of Assisted Reproduction Procedures 15
7. Survey Question: At what point do you recommend that your patients who are trying to conceive seek fertility treatments? 17
8. Specialists’ Choices for First-, Second-, and Third-Line Therapies for the Treatment of Anovulation 17
9. Specialists’ Choices for First- and Second-Line Therapies for the Treatment of Infertility Caused by Mild Endometriosis 18
10. Specialists’ Choices for First- and Second-Line Therapies for the Treatment of Infertility Caused by Moderate Endometriosis 19
11. Specialists’ Choices for First- and Second-Line Therapies for the Treatment of Infertility Caused by Severe Endometriosis 19
12. Specialists’ Choices for First-, Second-, and Third-Line Therapies for the Treatment of Unexplained Fertility 20

- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Duramed Research
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals
- Merck Serono
- Organon
- Pantarhei Bioscience
- Preglem Reproductive Medicine
- Sanofi -Aventis
- Schering-Plough