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(Janssen) and Lundbeck - that can
help control Alzheimer’s disease.
Earlier, only branded drugs were
available in the market. Following the
expiry of patents, some of the drugs
are being manufactured and sold in
India by companies like Aurobindo,
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun
Pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy, Alkem,
Torrent, Glenmark, etc.
Indian companies are manufacturing
and selling generic drugs globally
only after they receive ANDA
approvals. There are no innovative
drugs by Indian companies. Suven is
the only company that is developing
innovative drugs. It has milestones
(phase II and III clinical trials) to
cross and get NDA approvals, which
is a long way to go (2015-16).
As the Indian population continues to
grey, life expectancy increases and
awareness about the disease
increases, the projected growth would
likely continue in double digits (18%
to 20%) on a higher patient base. As
per ORG IMS-MAT, the accounted
market in India has a size of about
`140 crore and a CAGR of 25%.
To keep pace with this growth, Suven
has undertaken research for a drug for
Alzheimer’s to an advanced stage, but
needs funding to continue doing the
same. If the proof of concept of the
drug is strong, the company might
succeed, thus catapulting it to the
global market.
As per industry reports, more than 35
million people are expected to suffer
from Alzheimer’s disease by 2015
worldwide. By 2050, 59% of the
world’s Alzheimer’s cases will live in
Asia. The global Alzheimer’s disease
market is expected to cross the US
$19 billion-mark by 2015.
Aricept sales are expected to fall after
losing its patent in November ’10.
Ebixa, Excelon and Namenda may
become the next blockbuster drugs
after Aricept. Till last year, Aricept
was the world’s best selling drug but
lost patent protection in November
’10, a milestone which will be
followed by a rapid loss in sales.
But there are other drugs which have
the potential to become blockbuster
drugs. Namenda, Exelon have shown
tremendous growth in the market and
become blockbusters in 2010. Ebixa,
a drug by the Memantine Group, is
expected to have a billion-dollar
market by 2014. Given the growth in
Alzheimer’s patients, the outlook for
this segment is excellent.
TREATMENT OF THE
ALZHEIMER’S IN INDIA
At present, there are no specific tests
to positively confirm the diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are
hardly any standard practice
guidelines and treatment centres in
India. Several new treatments are
being initiated, while some are
nearing the late stages of clinical
trials. Within 2 - 3 years, pharma
companies will know if one or more
of these treatments can help slow the
progression of Alzheimer’s. There are
currently 934 clinical trials recruiting,
underway or recently completed
related to the Alzheimer’s disease.
A lot of herbal preparations are
available for diagnosing Alzheimer’s
disease. Turmeric in curry may
explain Alzheimer’s low occurrence.
Indian scientists in UK and India are
examining the ancient Indian
ayurvedic medicine for possible use
in drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers say ayurveda works in
the same way as conventional drugs
for boosting mental agility in the
disease. They found that the plants
used in ayurveda acted to improve
memory and concentration in patients
suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Researchers from King’s College,
London and Jadavpur University,
Calcutta studied five plants
commonly used in ayurvedic
medicine and found that the plants
acted to prevent the breakdown of
neurotransmitters, improving
memory and concentration in people
with Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists
are now trying to identify the
chemical compounds responsible for
the same so that they can be used to
develop more effective drugs.
Suven and Aurobindo are also getting
approvals for molecules for this
disease. This would help the market
to grow and Indian patients would get
these drugs at affordable prices. As
more players enter the market with
generics, the noise level would
increase and more awareness and
detection camps would help tap this
segment, resulting in a large number
of psychiatrists taking up Alzheimer’s
disease as a focused specialty
practice. Ultimately, the patient,
especially those from low income
groups and rural areas would benefit.
WAY AHEAD
Nearly 4% of the population of India
suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia
as against 10%-15% of those in the
60-plus age group in the US.
However, this figure may touch 21%
by 2050. India is home to more than
70 million people over the age of 60
years according to the 2001 census.
In 2010, nearly 3.7 million Indians
were reported to be suffering from
dementia and the total cost of
treatment was `14,700 crore. This is
expected to double by 2030 and the
cost may rise three-fold. By 2015, the
Alzheimer’s market is expected to be
close to `300 crore. Hence, Indian
pharma companies can make the most
of this opportunitY.
Beyond Market 10th Oct ’11 It’s simplified... 27