Sales of pain therapeutics could reach a massive $59 billion by 2015 in the seven major markets

Pain continues to present numerous challenges to the biopharmaceutical industry. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, over 76 million Americans suffer from pain. Indeed, pain affects more Americans than cancer, diabetes and cardiac disease combined. Current analgesics only provide modest relief, frequently carry black box safety warnings and are susceptible to abuse.

The anticipated arrival of novel analgesics is set to transform this market, according to a news report added to the offering of Research and Markets. GW Pharmaceuticals Sativex (GW-1000), Allergan's Botox (botulinium toxin), Merck & Co’s telecagepant (MK-0974), Novartis canakinumab (ACZ885) and FoldRX Pharmas Tafamidis (meglumine) will modernize pain management strategies. The market will enter a highly competitive, transitional era following the COX-2 saga. Investors must differentiate their products to gain blockbuster sales witnessed by Pfizer's Lyrica (pregabalin) and Celebrex (celecoxib).

With numerous unmet needs, improved diagnosis of painful conditions, the advent of pharmacogenomics driving R&D and 10% of the global population regularly taking analgesia; the pain therapeutics market offers numerous lucrative commercial opportunities.