Abbott, Eisai and UCB drugs to ‘drive sales’ of Crohn’s disease treatment

A recent report by a research and advisory firm for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues has claimed that treatments from Abbot, Eisai and UCB, alongside other new biologics, will push forward a “new era” in the market to treat Crohn’s disease.

Research from Decision Resources found that the launch of Humira by Abbott and Eisai, and Cimzia by UCB will result in sales of TNF-alpha pharmaceuticals to rise from $660 million (335.34 million pounds) to $1.3 billion in 2015.

Additionally, the company’s Pharmacor report stated that the introduction of Leukine from Berlex and Schering AG and ABT-874 by Abbott would provide new treatment options for patients for whom TNF-alpha inhibitors are not effective.

Cindy Mundy, therapeutic area director for Decision Resources, said: “Thought leaders believe that Humira is as effective as Remicade but that it offers superior convenience.”

She added that the Humira had the benefit of having already been approved for other indications, resulting in the provision of safety data and postmarketing results, though company also predicted growing sales of Cimzia.

In May, Abbott presented data to the British Society for Rheumatology confirming that administration with Humira gave rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis sufferers “significant benefits”.