Wednesday, August 8, 2012

HCV Genotype 1 Patients -Plan to Initiate Treatment with Already-Available Regimen within the Next Year

Roughly One-Third of HCV Genotype 1 Prior Treatment Failures and Just under Half of Studied Genotype 1 Treatment-Naïve Patients Plan to Initiate Treatment with an Already-Available Regimen within the Next Year

BioTrends Research Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that—through an audit of more than 1,000 U.S. hepatitis C virus (HCV) patient charts—just over one-third of HCV genotype 1 prior failure patients plan to be re-treated within the next year with an already-available treatment regimen, according to their treating physician. Among these patients, 32 percent plan to be re-treated with Merck’s Victrelis, most commonly because of the treating physician’s familiarity; while, 63 percent plan to be re-treated with Vertex’s Incivek, most commonly because of supporting clinical data.

Of the nearly two-thirds of prior failures who do not intend to be re-treated within the next year with currently available treatments, managing physicians report that patients are most commonly choosing to forego treatment because they refuse interferon and are waiting for interferon-free regimens to become available.
  
With regard to treatment-naïve genotype 1 patients, 45 percent intend to initiate treatment with an already available regimen within the next year; of these naïve patients, 20 percent plan to begin a Victrelis regimen and 51 percent intend to initiate an Incivek regimen. Physicians report that of the 55 percent of naïve patients who do not plan to be treated within the next year, the most common reason to forego treatment is early disease stage with little to no liver involvement.
  
According to the recently published ChartTrends®: Hepatitis C (U.S.)report, though more patients are and have been treated with an Incivek regimen than a Victrelis regimen, early virological response (EVR) and rapid virological response (RVR) rates among the two treated populations are comparable.
  
About ChartTrends®: Hepatitis C (U.S.)
ChartTrends: Hepatitis C (U.S.) is an annual, quantitative publication based on patient and laboratory data collected from 1,025 HCV patient charts provided by 105 gastroenterologists, 49 hepatologists and 53 infectious disease specialists in May/June 2012 in the United States. Seventy-four percent of the patients in the analysis are genotype 1, while the remaining twenty-six percent are genotype 2/3; all other genotypes were excluded from the analysis. The report includes analysis of four major patient groups: currently treated, recently completed treatment, treatment naïve and prior treatment failures. The report provides insight into the factors that drive decisions to treat, brand selection of HCV therapies, patient characterizations, comorbidities and lab testing among gastroenterologists, hepatologists and infectious disease specialists. Through an in-depth review of specific patient charts, details such as product initiation, switching, comorbidities, lab values and patient demographic variables help define patient types and identify therapy drivers.
  
BioTrends also tracks the Hepatitis C market in TreatmentTrends: Hepatitis C in the US, a biannual report series (wave one published in June 2012, wave two is publishing in November 2012) that provides a comprehensive view of the current and expected future management of HCV based on primary research. A parallel report, TreatmentTrends: Hepatitis C in the EU, covering the European market (EU5) is also available. TreatmentTrends reports cover the use of the protease inhibitors, Incivek and Victrelis, as well as Pegasys, Pegintron and ribavirin for the treatment of HCV. Specific analysis and trending of the Incivek and Victrelis launches over the past year can be found in LaunchTrends: Incivek and Victrelis, Wave 4, published in June 2012. Finally, the patient perspective and role of the patient in treatment selection is analyzed in PatientTrends®: Hepatitis C, which will publish in December 2012.
  
About BioTrends Research Group, LLC
BioTrends Research Group, LLC provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact us at (610) 321-9400 or www.bio-trends.com.
  
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.
  
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

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