Biologic Agents are Being Used Earlier and More Often to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in the EU5, According to Two Recent Reports from BioTrends

EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioTrends Research Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that in their two latest EU5 reports on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there have been some changes in the way that biologics are used to treat RA patients in the past year. According to TreatmentTrends: Rheumatoid Arthritis (EU) 2012, most surveyed EU5 physicians indicate their use of biologic agents to treat their RA patients has increased, and they are also initiating biologic therapy earlier and being more aggressive with these agents. Further, in the past year, the newer biologics, some with a different mechanism of action, are taking share from the more established ones. ChartTrends: Rheumatoid Arthritis (EU) 2012 finds that in a review of patient charts, the majority of RA patients continue to take Pfizer/Amgen’s Enbrel and Abbott’s Humira for first line biologic therapy. For second line therapy, Biogen Idec/Roche’s MabThera is used by 51 percent of patients. Suboptimal response and no response are the top reasons EU5 physicians discontinued first line biologic therapy for their RA patients, after waiting approximately 15 months before discontinuing for suboptimal response and 6.5 months with no response.

“The real fun will begin once Pfizer’s tofacitinib is approved in the EU5, assuming the label is similar to the one in the U.S., and physicians find a place for this product in their treatment algorithm.”

“The recent approval of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Orencia SC and expected future approval of Roche/Genentech’s RoActemra SC could also increase the use of biologics in the EU5,” said BioTrends Immunology Therapeutic Class Director Paul Zimmerman. “The real fun will begin once Pfizer’s tofacitinib is approved in the EU5, assuming the label is similar to the one in the U.S., and physicians find a place for this product in their treatment algorithm.”

TreatmentTrends: Rheumatoid Arthritis (EU) 2012 is an annual, quantitative publication that examines current trends in the management of RA from the perspective of rheumatologists with a focus on analyzing their attitudes, perceptions, and self-reported prescribing behavior. In addition, this report provides insight into practice patterns, and current and projected use of various products. TreatmentTrends also evaluates perceived product advantages and disadvantages, as well as sales and messaging efforts of key market players. This report was fielded with 273 rheumatologists in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK in September 2012 via an on-line survey.

ChartTrends: Rheumatoid Arthritis (EU) 2012 is an annual, quantitative publication based on patient and laboratory data collected from 1,150 RA patient charts provided by 284 rheumatologists in August - September 2012 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Through an in-depth review of specific patient charts, details such as product dosing and titration, switching, concomitant medications and a host of laboratory and patient demographic variables help define patient types and identify therapy triggers. All collection methods were designed in compliance with local country privacy regulations.

About BioTrends Research Group
BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom primary market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact us at [phone] or www.bio-trends.com. BioTrends is a Decision Resources Group company.

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