The gobal sales for pharmaceutical products have reached 267 billion dollars and the sales for North America are 149 billion dollars in 1991.
According to a study from Business Communications Company, Inc. (www.bccresearch.com) RC-181N The Evolving Drug Industry: New Strategies, Product Trends, the worldwide drug industry conitnues to evolve.. By the year 2007 U.S. sales are expected to grow to $345.7 billion, as the market grows at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 10% during the forecast period. Here is a summary table of the trends in drug sales from 2002-2007.
The data above are extracted from a study report (RC-181N The Evolving Drug Industry: New Strategies, Product Trends, August 2002) prepared by BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC., 25 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT 06855, Telephone: (203) 853-4266; ext. 309, Email: publisher@bccresearch.com.
DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Drug delivery system (DDS) is a vehicle for the drug. It is a formulation or device that delivers drugs to a specific body locations(s) and/or provides timely release of drug substances. Thus, DDS improves the efficacy and/or safety of the drug(s) that it carries. Benefits of new DDS include a competitive edge after expiry of patent, market extension, drug rescue, reduction of drug development cost and reduction of healthcare costs.
Some examples:
Pulmonary Drug Delivery System Metered Dose Inhaler delivers drugs to our body through our pulmonary systems.
Dermal Drug Delivery System SMP, solvent microparticle system) is a topical gel to deliver water-insoluble drugs in a fashion of two stages.
MCA, mucocutaneous absorption system, a water resistant gel providing sustained drug delivery.
Transdermal Drug Delivery System 3M Latitude Transdermal Drug Delivery System delivers drugs to our body via our skin. MacroChem's MacroDerm & SEPA Opterone, SEPA-enhanced testosterone
Transmucosal Delivery System BEMA, a bioerodible muco-adhesive disc, is used to deliver drugs in our buccal cavity, either local or systemically.
Implant Atrigel, a biodegradable sustained release implant to deliver drugs, proteins and peptides in time spans ranging from minutes to months locally or systemically.
Elan's Products Cardizem SR - twice-daily, sustained-release ditiazem Cardizem CD - once-daily, sustained-release diltiazem Verelan - once-daily, sustained-release verapamil Verelan PM - modified release, chronotherapeutic verapamil Theo-Dur - twice-daily, sustained-release theophylline Naprelan - once-daily, sustained-release naproxen sodium Avinza - once-daily, novel dual release morphine sulphate Ritalin LA - once-daily, pulsatile release of methylphenidate Rapamune - oral tablet form of poorly water soluble compound.
MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE INDUSTRY
ANDRX CORPORATION Engaged in the formulation and commercialization of controlled-release oral pharmaceuticals utilizing its proprietary drug delivery technologies.
ALKERMES INC Alkermes, Inc. is applying the tools of biotechnology to the development of sophisticated proprietary drug delivery systems. Drug delivery companies apply proprietary technologies to create new pharmaceutical products based on drugs developed by others. These products are generally novel, cost-effective dosage forms that provide any of several benefits including control of drug concentration in the blood, improved safety and efficacy, improved patient compliance and ease of use and expanded indications.
AMARIN CORP PLC ADS Ethical Holdings plc is a global pharmaceutical group which develops innovative pharmaceutical products across a range of therapeutic areas utilizing its proprietary advanced oral and transdermal drug delivery technologies.
ATRIX LABORATORIES INC Atrix Laboratories Inc. is engaged primarily in the research, development and commercialization of a broad range of medical, dental, and veterinary products based on the proprietary drug delivery systems. With the acquisition of ViroTex, the company has a broad-based platform of drug delivery technologies that provides for parenteral, transmucosal and topical delivery. These patented technologies have capabilities of delivering small organic molecules, peptides, proteins, vaccines and natural products.
ALZA CORPORATION A research-based pharmaceutical company with leading drug delivery technologies. Their delivery technologies are applied to develop pharmaceutical products with enhanced therapeutic value for its own portfolio and many pharmaceutical companies.
BENTLEY PHARMACEUTICAL Bentley Pharmaceuticals is a U.S.-based drug delivery company specializing in the development of products based upon innovative and proprietary drug delivery systems, which also has a commercial presence in Europe, where it manufactures, markets and distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical products. The company owns rights to certain U.S. and international patents and related technology covering methods to enhance the absorption of drugs delivered to biological tissues.
BIOVAIL CORP INTERNAT Biovail Corporation International is a global integrated pharmaceutical product development company specializing in the application of advanced oral controlled release delivery technologies. Biovail's proprietary technologies are used in formulations which either improve upon conventional dosage forms of existing products by providing the therapeutic benefits of controlled release or are generically equivalent to existing once-daily branded products, while in both instances providing significant cost advantages.
CIMA LABS INC CIMA is a drug delivery company focused primarily on the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical products based upon its patented oral drug delivery technologies for marketing by national and multinational pharmaceutical companies. The company offers technologies in the fast-dissolve and oral transmucosal areas. OraSolv and DuraSolv, its premier fast-dissolve technologies, are oral dosage formulations incorporating microencapsulated active drug ingredients into tablets which dissolve quickly in the mouth without chewing or water.
CELLEGY PHARMACEUTICALS Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of prescription drugs and high performance skin care products. The company's products are all designed for topical application addressing systemic medical conditions and localized skin diseases and conditions. The company's most advanced prescription product candidates include Anogesic and Tostrex. In addition to the prescription product candidates, the company developed a line of non-prescription cosmeceutical products which will help reverse the signs of aging.
COLUMBIA LABORATORIES Columbia Laboratories, Inc. is focused on the development of unique pharmaceutical products that treat female specific diseases and conditions including infertility, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, hormonal deficiencies and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The company's research in endocrinology has also led to the development of a product to treat Andropause in men. The company's products primarily utilize its patented bioadhesive delivery technology, which consist principally of a polymer, polycarbophil, and an active ingredient.
CYGNUS INC Cygnus Inc. is engaged in the development and manufacture of diagnostic medical devices, utilizing proprietary technologies to satisfy unmet medical needs cost effectively. The company's current efforts are focused on a frequent, automatic and non-invasive glucose monitoring device, the GlucoWatch-Registered Trademark-biographer, and enhancements thereto.
ELAN CORP PLC Elan Corporation, plc is a leading worldwide specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and marketing of therapeutic products and services in neurology, acute care and pain management and on the development and commercialization of products using its extensive range of proprietary drug delivery technologies. The company consists of three operating divisions: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Elan Pharmaceutical Technologies and Elan Pharmaceutical Operations.
EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES Emisphere Technologies is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of a family of oral heparin products; the application of proprietary synthetic chemical compounds to serve as "carriers" to facilitate the transport of therapeutic macromolecules and other compounds across biological membranes; and the development, in conjunction with the company's pharmaceutical collaborators, of oral formulations of selected therapeutic macromolecules.
ETHICAL HOLDINGS LTD ASR Specialist drug delivery groups specializing in pharmaceutical products utilizing the company's proprietary drug delivery systems, including oral controlled-release tablets and transdermal patches.
FLAMEL TECHNOLOGIES SA Engaged principally in the development and commercialization of controlled-released pharmaceutical products based upon its two proprietary polymer-based technologies--Micropump, a microencapsulation technology and Medusa, a nanoencapsulation technology.
NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS Nektar Therapeutic Systems Inc. is pioneering drug delivery systems to easily deliver a range of inhaleable drugs, including peptides, proteins and small molecules, to the deep lung for treatment of systemic and respiratory diseases. Inhale has developed the Inhance drug delivery platform that combines innovations in powder technology and inhalation devices to enable efficient and reproducible delivery of inhaleable drugs. The company has development partnerships with several major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. (PRESS RELEASE)
IOMED INC IOMED, Inc. develops, manufactures and commercializes controllable drug delivery systems using iontophoretic technology. Iontophoresis is a non-invasive method of enhancing and controlling the transport of water-soluble ionic drugs into and through the skin using a low level electrical current. The company's proprietary iontophoretic drug delivery systems allow rapid onset and cessation of therapeutic action, as well as programmable dose control.
INSITE VISION INC Insite Vision Inc., is an ophthalmic product development company focused on developing genetically based tools, for the diagnosis, prognosis and management of glaucoma, as well as ophthalmic pharmaceutical products based on our proprietary DuraSite eyedrop-based drug delivery technology. Their retinal programs include both therapeutic agents and drug delivery technologies.
K-V PHARMACEUTICAL CL A A recognized leader in the development and manufacture of major drug products utilizing its proprietary advanced drug delivery technologies that optimize the benefits of various drug compounds. Plans to market or co-market other brand name products.
MACROCHEM CORP MacroChem develops pharmaceutical products for commercialization by applying SEPA (Soft Enhancer of Percutaneous Absorption), their patented topical drug delivery technology. SEPA compounds, when properly combined with drugs, provide pharmaceutical formulations, such as creams, gels and solutions, etc. that enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs into the skin or into the bloodstream.
NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS Noven Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the development and manufacture of advanced transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery products and technologies. Noven's principal commercialized products are transdermal drug delivery systems for use in hormone replacement therapy. Noven has an active research and development program with numerous products in development. Research efforts are focused primarily on four therapeutic categories: hormone replacement therapy, central nervous system conditions, cardiovascular disease and pain management.
ANESTA CORP A leader in the development of new pharmaceutical products for oral transmucosal delivery of systemic drugs. The Company's proprietary OT drug delivery system is designed to provide rapid therapeutic action and allows the patient to control drug therapy.
NASTECH PHARMACEUTICALS Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of nasally administered forms of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals that are delivered in oral, injectable or other dosage forms with particular emphasis on treating conditions mediated by the central nervous system. The nasal delivery of pharmaceuticals may enable more rapid systemic absorption, quicker onset of desired effect, and painless, convenient patient self-administration, resulting in improved compliance and pharmacoeconomics.
PENWEST PHARMACUTICAL Penwest Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of novel drug delivery technologies and has extensive expertise in developing and manufacturing excipient ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry. Based on this fundamental expertise in tabletting ingredients, the company has developed its proprietary TIMERx controlled release drug delivery technology, which is applicable to a broad range of orally administered drugs, and ProSolv a co-processing drug delivery technology platform.
PROVALIS PLC ADS Cortecs Plc is a BioPharmaceutical company developing new enabling healthcare technologies to assist with the fight against osteoporosis, diabetes and infectious diseases.
SYMBOLLON CP CL A Engaged in research, development and commercialization of proprietary iodine-based pharmaceutial agents, disinfectants, antiseptics and sanitizers.