SLE is a chronic, life-long and potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterized by multiple system distress and unpredictable flares. Therapy is largely off-label and a huge demand exists for new SLE therapies because of the potential for serious side effects from drugs currently used in the management of the disease.

Scope

Assessment of patient size across the seven major and additional emerging markets, including split by sex and race where available. Commercial and clinical assessment of the therapies in the developmental pipeline. Opinion of the market potential from a range of physicians involved in SLE treatment and research. An update of the challenges facing the design of clinical trials

Highlights

The SLE market will enter an era of targeted therapies thanks to greater understanding of disease mechanisms. Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab) is the most advanced pipeline candidate and will be the first product approved in the last 40 years. It is already used off-label in severe, refractory patients, with maximum estimated sales $650m. Caution must be maintained as products for SLE have been prone to failure, as evidenced by La Jolla's Riquent, Genelabs's Prestara and Apreva's CellCept. Companies must learn from past mistakes by improving SLE clinical trial design and communicating fully with regulatory agencies. The SLE patient population in the seven major markets is estimated to be 430,000 in 2008. However, the combined SLE patient population in Mexico, China and India could be a minimum of 0.9 billion in 2008, suggesting pharmaceutical companies should seek product approval in emerging markets.

Reasons to Purchase

Understand the key opportunities and threats in the SLE market Assess the commercial potential of the products in the late-stage pipeline Gain insight into opinion leaders' thoughts on the challenges facing the SLE market.