India's rheumatoid arthritis drug market will more than double by 2013

The rheumatoid arthritis drug market in India will more than double by 2013, growing from $296 million in 2008 to $672 million in 2013, according to a new report from research and advisory firm Decision Resources. This will be fueled by a growing drug-treated population, improved patient access to health care insurance, greater patient spending power and the increased use of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Western companies will continue to earn the largest share of the rheumatoid arthritis market in India.

"During our 2008 to 2013 study period, sales in the rheumatoid arthritis drug market in India will be propelled by the uptake of more expensive drugs including currently available biologics such as Amgen-Wyeth's Enbrel (etanercept), Schering-Plough's Remicade (infliximab), Abbott's Humira (adalimumab), Roche's MabThera (rituximab), and Bristol-Myers-Squibb's Orencia (abatacept) and the launch of new biological agents such as Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab), and Schering-Plough's Simponi (golimumab). Although the overall patient share of biological agents amounts to a mere 9%of the total rheumatoid arthritis population in 2013, their high prices will result in considerable market growth," stated Manashi Sherawat, an analyst at Decision Resources.

12% Indian RA market share forecast for Simponi

The new Emerging Markets report, entitled Rheumatoid Arthritis in India, also finds that among the three emerging agents launching between 2008 and 2013 in India -Simponi, Actemra and UCB's Cimzia-Simponi - will have the greatest commercial success. Simponi's once a month dosing and higher efficacy compared with its originator, Remicade, will allow it to tap into the self-pay rheumatoid arthritis patient population. By 2013, Simponi sales are forecasted to account for 12% of the total rheumatoid arthritis market share in India.