Research and Markets: Huge Scope for Emerging Neurostimulation Technologies in the Consolidated Medical Device Market says 2010 Study

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/50367f/advances_in_neuros) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Advances in Neurostimulators" to their offering.

“Although neurostimulators have proved to be viable alternatives to drug therapies in targeting a wide array of neurological and psychiatric disorders, the global market remains grossly under penetrated”

The research service titled Advances in Neurostimulators provides the reader with information on some of the technology and market trends relating to various areas like DBS, SCS and so on.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Advances in Neurostimulators provides a need-based analysis of the technical capabilities of neurostimulators, followed by a value chain analysis. The study can help identify growth opportunities through outcomes based on the research of technological progress and end-user demands, along with market drivers and challenges coalescing in the emerging market. It also examines the global intellectual property scenario, and identifies the core capabilities of top industry participants, technology funding capabilities, and available industry opportunities.

Market Overview

New avenues are unfolding for companies engaged in leveraging medical technologies to unleash devices that target debilitating neurological disorders. The emerging market is showing signs of promising returns for both entrepreneurs and investors, in clinical application areas such as refractory epilepsy, treatment-resistant depression, stroke rehabilitation, incontinence, and retinal degenerative disorders. The availability of huge amount of clinical results published in reputed domestic and international journals on the efficacy and safety of neurostimulation technologies supports their capability to penetrate several end-user markets and drive reimbursement to quantifiable success. With the expanding aging population and high demand among patients resistant to other medications, the demand for neurostimulation therapies has witnessed an upswing. The Neurostimulators market is consolidated with four major companies based in the US topping the landscape. "Although neurostimulators have proved to be viable alternatives to drug therapies in targeting a wide array of neurological and psychiatric disorders, the global market remains grossly under penetrated," notes the analyst of this research service. "Therapies such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have offered clinical benefits to end-users globally. However, a slow pace in technology movement from concept to market has limited awareness on its benefits and subsequent demands among the patient population." Improvements in the existing technology portfolio and implementation of defensive IP strategies will clear the decks for long-term success of neurostimulation technologies.

Innovators in this space have found it challenging to improve awareness among end users on the benefits of neurostimulation therapies. Technologies such as VNS, DBS, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have been commercially successful for over a decade. Despite this, lackluster technological improvement has remained a deterrent for small businesses and start-ups. Navigated brain stimulation (NBS) and other transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technologies have successfully overcome regulatory barriers in both diagnostic and therapeutic arenas. Regulatory and reimbursement requirements are posing impediments, and companies are obliged to frame clinical protocols to synchronize with them. "Internal regulation of activities involved in the transfer of technology from design to manufacturing team is vital in ensuring the products quality and preventing risk during an FDA inspection," says the analyst. "A competitive strategy for technology developers in the US might be to hold a preliminary investigation device exemption (pre-IDE) meeting before applying for FDA approval in order to understand the outcomes of a clinical study as expected by the regulatory authorities." Companies improving their presence in new geographies are dealing with these issues by collaborating with domestic market experts who will provide them with adequate knowledge and skills on the local regulatory requirements and reimbursement scenario. Currently, most of the neurostimulation technologies are in the clinical evaluation phase and their commercial availability is expected in two to three years in high growth markets such as the US and Europe. These hurdles have encouraged companies to target patient groups in Japan, China, Brazil, and Mexico that provide lucrative growth opportunities. However, political and economic uncertainties in these regions have curtailed the penetration of neurostimulation technologies.

Intense competition is observed among technology developers targeting diseases such as epilepsy, depression, Parkinsons, urinary incontinence, and stroke rehabilitation, which also show signs of immediate returns. Companies must strategically partner with technology and market experts to extend the technologys capability in aspects such as battery longevity, form factor, data informatics, and wireless communication to ensure market push for the technology, in todays competitive environment. Going forward, innovators must roll out neurostimulators that target obesity, eye disorders, epilepsy, and depression. The focus is set to intensify on safe and effective non-invasive therapies that squarely address these diseases.

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