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.

The patient market share for the newest biologic agent, Genentech-Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab; launched in January 2010), is currently estimated to be less than 5% among biologic-treated, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, according to surveyed rheumatologists' projections, the patient share of Actemra among the Medicare RA population is projected to exceed the patient share estimates of UCB's Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Centocor Ortho Biotech's Simponi (golimumab) in the next six months. Furthermore, the patient share of Actemra among rheumatologists with in-office-infusion capability is projected to increase by more than 50% in the next six months.