Rheumatoid arthritis patient share of Actemra projected to exceed that of Cimzia and Simponi among US Medicare population

Despite the availability of newer TNF-alpha inhibitors, the TNF refractory market still remains relatively large. As many as one-fourth of first-time biologic users ultimately require a switch to another biologic agent due to poor response or waning efficacy of TNF-alpha inhibitors, according to a new report from market research firm Bio-Trends, titled TreatmentTrends: Rheumatoid Arthritis Q3 2010.

However, it notes, the newer TNF-alpha inhibitors and biologic agents with alternative mechanisms of action are still perceived as less efficacious and less safe compared to the established TNF-alpha inhibitors.