Hepatitis C landscape changing as the new protease inhibitors adopted into clinical practice

Three months after the launch of Vertex’ Incivek (telaprevir) and Merck & Co/Roche’s Victrelis (boceprevir), results from the second wave of research conducted by BioTrends Research Group (a Decision Resources unit) indicate strong interest and high demand for triple therapy with the new protease inhibitors.

In LaunchTrends: Incivek and Victrelis, Wave 2 BioTrends surveyed a total of 80 physicians (gastroenterologists, hepatologists and infectious disease specialists) and conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with a subset of the respondents about their current perceptions, early experience and anticipated future use of these products. In addition, feedback around patient type, product satisfaction, patient influence, obstacles to use, and promotional activities is captured.

With expectations running high in the months leading up to the launch of the protease inhibitors, the level of awareness and familiarity with these products remains strong. Now, more than two thirds of surveyed physicians have initiated trial with Incivek or Victrelis compared to more than half of physicians at one month post-launch. Most physicians report that they have prescribed both brands suggesting that physicians continue to be in trial mode. Trial rates do vary by physician specialty and in addition, after three months of experience, specialty differences in preference and usage are now emerging.