Chinese colorectal cancer drug market forecast to grow to over $400 million in 2016

The colorectal cancer drug market in China will grow from a value of $261 million in 2011 to $404 million in 2016, according to a new report from advisory firm Decision Resources, titled Colorectal Cancer in China, which notes that the increased use of targeted therapies will be a key factor driving growth in this market.

Report findings reveal that, although two targeted therapies - Merck KGaA’s Erbitux (cetuximab) and Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab) - have both been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration in China, the high cost of treatment with these agents has limited their use to colorectal cancer patients in the second- or third-line of therapy. However, Decision Resources expects between 2011 and 2016, Chinese oncologists will use Erbitux and Avastin earlier in the treatment algorithm and more frequently.

“The use of Erbitux and Avastin in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients is common in the major markets, and we anticipate that practice will impact prescribing patterns in China,” said Decision Resources analyst Jing Wu, adding: “Because of the premium price of these agents, even a slight increase in patient share will drive increased sales and market growth.”