The Demonstration of Safety Advantages over Pfizer’s Zyvox Will Be a Key Factor in Radezolid’s Ability to Take Significant Market Share From Zyvox, According to Findings from Decision Resources

December 21, 2011—Burlington, Mass.—Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that Rib-X’s radezolid will be the only agent to launch for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) over the next decade. In the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan, radezolid’s key competitor in the CABP drug market through 2020 will be Pfizer’s Zyvox. Radezolid has broader coverage than Zyvox and appears to be active against Zyvox-resistant strains of gram-positive pathogens. However, the demonstration of safety advantages over Zyvox will be a key factor in radezolid’s ability to take significant market share from Zyvox.

The Pharmacor advisory service entitled Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, which will be published by the end of the month, finds that regulatory uncertainties in the United States and the availability of numerous efficacious generic treatment options for CABP have decreased the attractiveness of this market to drug developers. While at least two antibiotics (in addition to radezolid) are still in active development for CABP, Cempra’s solithromycin and IASO’s zabofloxacin, the scarcity of clinical data available precludes an estimate of their launch and commercial potential.

The findings also reveal that although physician satisfaction with the current armamentarium for CABP is relatively high, the need remains for agents with potent activity against increasingly prevalent drug-resistant pathogens. These include penicillin-, macrolide- and quinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae as well as community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which are a growing concern in CABP.

“Development activity for CABP is the highest in the quinolone antibiotic class,” said Decision Resources Therapeutic Area Director Irene Koulinska, M.D., Sc.D. “However, interviewed thought leaders question the utility of another quinolone unless it provides better activity against fluoroquinolone-resistant gram-negative pathogens. Additionally, while most agents in the quinolone pipeline are in early-phase development for CABP, Furiex’s JNJ-Q2 and Rib-X’s delafloxacin will likely become available for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections and will find some off-label use in CABP.”

According to the findings, among recently launched and emerging broad-spectrum antibiotics for CABP, the new anti-MRSA cephalosporin Forest/AstraZeneca/Dainippon Sumitomo’s Teflaro will have the greatest impact on the CABP market, especially in the inpatient setting. Early physician reaction to Teflaro has been favorable as physicians cite Teflaro’s broad-spectrum activity, favorable pricing and efficacy in CABP as advantages, although they also note that the lack of coverage for MRSA pneumonia and its intravenous-only formulation are key drawbacks.

About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.
 

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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