Novartis/Incyte's Jakafi will be greatest growth driver in myelofibrosis market

Through 2021, the continued uptake of Novartis (NOVN: VX)/Incyte's (Nasdaq: INCY) recently launched JAK-2 inhibitor Jakafi (ruxolitinib) will be the greatest driver of growth in the myelofibrosis therapy market in the USA and Europe, according to a new report from health care advisory firm Decision Resources.

Since only a small percentage of patients are eligible for allogeneic stem-cell transplantation - the lone curative treatment for myelofibrosis - the only care available for most patients is treatment of disease symptoms. According to interviewed experts, the entry of ruxolitinib is a significant advance in myelofibrosis treatment because they believe the drug offers clear improvements in constitutional symptoms and reduces the severe splenomegaly experienced by many patients, resulting in an overall better quality of life.

According to the report, titled Niche Markets and Rare Diseases: Myelofibrosis, JAK-2 inhibition is the focus of considerable development activity in myelofibrosis and up to five new JAK-2 inhibitors could launch for the disease through 2021. Clinical trial data from long-term evaluation of myelofibrosis patients indicated that ruxolitinib improves overall survival in addition to providing sustained relief of constitutional symptoms - these recent analyses will likely accelerate uptake of ruxolitinib and other JAK-2 inhibitors.