Breast Cancer Therapeutics Market Expands in Asia-Pacific, as the Region Increases Branded Drug Adoption

Thanks to an increasing uptake of branded drugs in Asia-Pacific (APAC), the region’s breast cancer therapeutics market value will climb from $1.5 billion in 2013 to $2.5 billion by 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.6%, forecasts business intelligence provider GBI Research.
 

According to the company’s latest report*, Japan had the largest market in 2013 with a share of 58%, followed by China and Australia, with respective shares of 21% and 16%. Despite India having the lowest share in 2013, the country will witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, with a CAGR of 13.8%.
 

Saurabh Sharma, Analyst for GBI Research, says: “The use of targeted therapies is expected to increase in the APAC markets as patient access to these more expensive agents improves, aided by the entry of a biosimilar version of trastuzumab.”

These targeted therapies will consist of novel and modified Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor (HER-2)-targeting agents, such as Perjeta and antibody drug conjugate Kadcyla, both from Roche, and novel chemotherapeutic agents from Eisai's Halaven. Others, such as Pfizer’s palbociclib and neratinib, and Boehringer Ingelheim’s afatinib, will also contribute.
 

Sharma continues: “The breast cancer pipeline is highly robust with potential drug candidates in various phases of clinical development. With more than 600 active pipeline molecules, the majority of the investigational drug candidates are being evaluated for the treatment of breast cancer in advanced stages, either as first-line or second-line therapies.”

From a total of 612 active progressing pipeline molecules, 42% are in the preclinical stage of development, 16% are in Phase I, 21% are in Phase II and 8% are in Phase III, according to GBI Research.

*Breast Cancer Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2020 – Novel HER-2 Positive Therapies Provide Diversified Treatment Options