Gastroenterologists seeking better outcomes than Humira and Remicade for Crohn's disease

In a market long dominated by AbbVie's (NYSE: ABBV) Humira (adalimumab) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary Janssen's Remicade (infliximab), practice patterns are shifting and novel pipeline agents will introduce a new treatment paradigm in Crohn's disease.

In a recent study conducted by Spherix Global Insights, US gastroenterologists (n=90) describe changes in patient management, largely including the increased use of Entyvio (vedolizumab), from Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) and a more aggressive approach with biologics overall. But it doesn't stop there; more than 70% of the surveyed gastroenterologists agree that there is a high need for new biologics for IBD.

Even though the group reports higher satisfaction with biologics compared to other drug classes, there is still ample room for improvement. According to one respondent, "None of the medications work over 60% of the time to get remission. Patient compliance, side effects and, as always, cost" represent big challenges for physicians…and big opportunities for newcomers.