Released on = May 18, 2006, 4:28 am

Press Release Author = La Merie Buisiness intelligence

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = The interferon alpha market is smaller than the interferon
beta market, but is characterized by far more products and R&D projects. Conversion
of the interferon alpha market to pegylated products explains why new R&D is focused
on interferon alpha variants or other subtypes with improved pharmacodynamic and
safety properties.

Press Release Body = Barcelona, Spain | May 18, 2006 | The Business Intelligence
firm La Merie S.L. reported today that market and R&D activities in the interferon
field are predominantly related to interferon alpha although total interferon alpha
sales of more than US$ 2.1 bln in 2005 were lower than those of interferon beta
(more than 3.8 bln). The interferon alpha field is characterized by more than 25
marketed products in industrialized and off-patent countries and more than 36
ongoing corporate R&D projects as compared with only 18 products and R&D projects
for interferon beta. As the conversion from first generation interferon alpha to
pegylated interferon alpha nearly is completed, biogeneric activities are limited.
New research is focused on finding novel subtypes or variants of interferon alpha
with improved pharmacodynamic and safety properties. These results and more were
found in a search conducted by La Merie Business Intelligence. The competitor
analysis can be acquired at www.pipelinereview.com , La Merie's News Center and
Online Store.

Numerous biosimilar interferon alpha products are produced and marketed for viral
hepatitis in off-patent countries such as Argentina, Cuba, South Korea, China and
India, but only one product was submitted for European centralized marketing
authorization. Clinical stage interferon alpha projects in the Western countries are
longer acting interferon alpha molecules achieved by fusion with large molecules or
drug delivery systems. Interferon alpha projects approaching clinical testing are
obtained by genetic engineering of the native molecule, use of other subtypes of
interferon alpha, additional pegylation or combinations thereof. Several clinical
studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of oral low dose interferon or of
intradermal delivery.

Although the interferon beta market in multiple sclerosis is the biggest and has the
single best selling product among the interferons (Avonex with US$ 1.5 bln in 2005),
biogeneric activities are clandestine or make use of aerosol delivery to treat viral
exacerbations of asthma. Preclinical R&D activities are focused on prolonging the
half-life by pegylation, drug delivery systems or genetic engineering. Interferon
beta gene therapy currently is being explored in two early stage clinical trials in
cancer. Non-viral delivery systems may open the way of gene therapy with interferon
beta for treatment of multiple sclerosis.


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quality R&D information to the biopharmaceutical industry. La Merie offers
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information visit www.lamerie.com.


Web Site = http://www.pipelinereview.com/joomla/content/view/3434/1/

Contact Details = Jorge Márquez
La Merie Business Intelligence
C/ Caspe, 33B, 4º, 2ª
E-08010 Barcelona
Tel +34-93-342 91 97
Fax +34-93-342 91 98
e-mail: jorge.marquez@lamerie.com
Website: http://www.lamerie.com
Online Store: www.pipelinereview.com