Neurodegenerative disorders are estimated to affect over 22 million people worldwide. Whilst many palliative treatments have become available during the last 15 years, there is still no cure for many of these progressive and debilitating diseases. Furthermore, the rising number of elderly people will ensure that demand for effective treatments in key diseases associated with age continues to grow.

The report provides a comprehensive review of all current and future technologies and also provides detailed summaries on specific neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease).

Everyone concerned with understanding and exploiting this rapidly growing sector needs to be aware of the prospects for the future and the key technologies that could fundamentally change research and clinical approaches for treating this progressive and debilitating disease. In 150+ information-packed pages the study focuses on the products and science that will affect the competitive environment.

Key questions answered by this report include:
What impact have new technologies had on the drug-development process in neurodegenerative diseases?
What advances have been made in stem cell research and who are the major players?
Does gene therapy offer a realistic alternative to small molecule therapies?
What are the current therapies available for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
Which novel neurodegenerative compounds may enter the market in the next 5 years?
Neurodegenerative disorders are estimated to affect over 22 million people worldwide. Whilst many palliative treatments have become available during the last 15 years, there is still no cure for many of these progressive and debilitating diseases. Furthermore, the rising number of elderly people will ensure that demand for effective treatments in key diseases associated with age continues to grow.

Over the last 20 years pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies have invested considerable resources in deciphering the underlying mechanism of pathogenesis and genetic susceptibility. This has led to:

1. Several new and novel small-molecule drugs which are in late-phase clinical development (Phase II and III) such as phenserine (Axonyx) for Alzheimer's disease, Azilect (rasagline - Teva/Eisai/Lundbeck) for Parkinson's disease and Campath-1H (alemtuzumab - Schering AG) for multiple sclerosis.

2. The application of new technologies such as protein array, high-throughput screening, the identification of novel biomarkers and neuroimaging techniques and the establishment of reproducible models of disease which have helped to fuel the rapid advancement of small-molecule drug development.

3. The identification, over the last five years, of several disease specific genes and proteins which offer new targets for validation and hope for the emergence of curative therapies based on new technologies such as stem cell research and gene therapy.

Everyone concerned with understanding and exploiting this rapidly growing sector needs to be aware of the prospects for the future and the key technologies that could fundamentally change research and clinical approaches. That is why Espicom Business Intelligence, publisher of the respected business newsletter CNS Drug News, has produced this thought-provoking analysis Neurodegenerative Drug Futures. In 150+ information-packed pages the study focuses on the products and science that will affect the competitive environment.

The value of the neurodegenerative market was US$7.7 billion in 2003. It is the 3rd largest segment of the CNS market and is growing at 19% a year. With ever better diagnosis, a growing patient population and wide unmet clinical need, the prospects for the sector look bright. Neurodegenerative disorders encompass an assortment of currently incurable CNS disorders that are characterised by the gradual and progressive loss of neural tissue. The report covers:

- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Huntington's disease

COMPREHENSIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT
This insightful report:
Provides a critical SWOT analysis of current and upcoming products (Phase II/III) for the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Presents market analysis for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drugs.

Places neurodegenerative drugs into the context of the whole CNS market.

Evaluates the impact of new technologies on the development of novel drugs in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including protein arrays, high-throughput screening, biomarkers, neuroimaging and reliable animal models of disease.

Examines recent advances made in the development of new and controversial technologies, such as stem cell research and gene therapy, which have the potential to cure many of these debilitating diseases.

Highlights some of the major biotechnology players and academic institutions at the cutting edge of stem cell research and gene therapy.