European neurologists expect Biogen Idec's Tecfidera to be preferred MS drug

Surveyed neurologists in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK project that 16% of their diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on average will receive Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) from US biotech firm Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB) within the next year, more than the 13% share they predict for Aubagio (teriflunomide) from Genzyme, the biotech subsidiary of French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN).

According to Decision Resources, respondents indicated that future prescribing of both first-line-eligible oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) will be most encouraged through greater familiarity, improved access/reimbursement, or additional data supporting use. Other key findings from the European Physician and Payer Forum report found that market access was the main hurdle for Aubagio as authorities in France and Germany recently ruled that the drug offered no added benefit over current DMTs, complicating pricing negotiations. In advance of the final ruling, more than half of surveyed German neurologists expected the benefit assessment would have at least some negative impact on their prescribing of the drug. It added that demonstration of clinical superiority head-to-head versus a comparator – ideally the standard of care at the appropriate position in the MS treatment algorithm – constitutes the strongest market access lever to garner optimal pricing and reimbursement terms for emerging DMTs across the five European markets.

Biosimilars fail to compete