Thought Leaders and Regulators Have Reservations About the Use of Antibiotics in Treating IBS, 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, owing to its superb efficacy, safety profile and anticipated launch in all major markets, Ironwood/Forest/Almirall/Astellas’s linaclotide will achieve blockbuster sales by 2018, cementing its status as the new market leader for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by 2020. Sucampo/Takeda/Abbott’s Amitiza, the 2010 market leader, will see its sales drop sharply over the next decade due to its limited efficacy, loss of patent protection and competition from linaclotide.

The Pharmacor advisory service entitled Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which will be published by the end of the month, finds that, owing to the market entry of a few high-priced but much-needed first-in-class therapies, the IBS drug market will increase from $610 million in 2010 to $2.7 billion in 2020 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan. Some of these therapies affect not only motility but also pain, which remains one of the biggest unmet needs for IBS patients and the physicians who treat them.

“All emerging therapies are expected to launch in the United States, where sales of IBS therapies will increase the most rapidly and account for a large majority of the market in 2020,” said Decision Resources Therapeutic Area Director Madhuri Borde, Ph.D.

The findings also reveal that interviewed thought leaders differ on the utility of antibiotics in treating IBS. Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a complete response letter to Salix for its supplemental new drug application for rifaximin (Xifaxan), requesting data on re-treatment with the drug. This development illustrates that, in addition to thought leaders, regulatory authorities also have reservations about the use of antibiotics in treating IBS.

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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