Increased uptake of FOLFIRINOX and launch of Abraxane will see dynamic change in treatment of pancreatic cancer patients

Although the pancreatic cancer drug market will remain relatively flat through 2019 in the leading markets - the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and Japan - the first-line patient population will experience a dynamic change in treatment practice owing to increased uptake of the cytotoxic regimen FOLFIRINOX* and the approval and launch of Celgene’s (Nasdaq: CELG) Abraxane (paclitaxel) as an add-on to Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Gemzar (gemcitabine), according to research and advisory firm Decision Resources.

DR’s Pharmacor 2010 findings reveal that, despite changes in treatment practice, the current standard of care for the disease - Gemzar - will remain the market leader through 2019, even though it has suffered generic erosion in Europe since 2009 and will lose patent protection this year in the USA. Sales erosion of Gemzar will be counterbalanced by the introduction of FOLFIRINOX and Abraxane as an adjunct to Gemzar for a subset of pancreatic cancer patients eligible for first-line treatment.

Few successful drugs in past decade