PharmaLive: Report Predicts That Generics Will Limit Pipeline Profit for GI Disorder Drugs

PharmaLive: Report Predicts That Generics Will Limit Pipeline Profit for GI Disorder Drugs: "The upper GI disorder pipeline is small, with only 33 products, and only 3 drugs in Phase III. In a market that is dominated by PPIs, which are becoming increasingly genericized, and with over-the-counter medicines available, pharmaceutical companies appear to be less than willing to enter this competitive market. A key company R&D strategy is the development of specific enantiomers of PPIs. This extends patent life and can result superiority to the racemate mixture. TAP Pharmaceuticals has for dexlansoprazole, and Sidem Pharma and Steba Laboratories are co-developing S-tenatoprazole for GERD. Both are expected to quickly achieve blockbuster status. The inclusion of Nexium (esomeprazole) as a comparator in clinical trials is essential to ensure market success for pipeline products. Companies will also benefit by addressing the unmet needs such as drugs for the PPI unresponsive population. This niche patient subgroup is difficult to treat and is currently underserved."