US gastroenterologists see significant growth for Abbott/Eisai's Humira in ulcerative colitis once indication is approved

In a recent survey of US gastroenterologists (n=99), BioTrends Research (a Decision Resources company) finds that about two-thirds of the surveyed physicians feel that there is a high unmet need for new agents to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), second only to the need for new therapies for irritable bowel syndrome. Less than 40% of the respondents report that they are satisfied with the current treatment options.

Over the past year, about 80% of the respondents noted changes in their practice patterns for UC with the greatest change related to earlier, more aggressive use of biologic agents. Roughly two-thirds reported an increase in Centocor Ortho Biotech/Merck & Co/Mitsubishi Tanabe’s Remicade (infliximab) over the past six months.

Remicade only FDA-approved UC biologic