Dive Brief:
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In response to a call from the World Hemophilia Foundation (WHF), Biogen Idec and its distribution partner, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, have pledged 1 billion units of two hemophilia drugs to be distributed in Africa, Asia, and Latin America starting in 2015.
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The drugs are Alprolix (approved in March 2014), for hemophilia B, and Eloctate, which is under FDA review, to treat patients with hemophilia A.
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Biogen Idec is just breaking into the market and hopes to gain share for its new product line.
Dive Insight:
Although hemophilia is rare (1 in 10,000 people), the market is growing, largely because of innovation in treatment. Better treatments for hemophilia A and hemophilia B in the developed world have increased life expectancy for patients, though this is not the case in the developing world where 75% of patients are undertreated. The hemophilia market is dominated by Pfizer and Baxter, with Biogen Idec being a recent entrant. Based on current data, the market is expected to grow from $8.5 billion in 2011 to $11.4 billion in 2016.
Biogen Idec’s strategy to gain recognition for its product line by responding to a WHF request for clotting factor for the developing world may very well work. It will also provide much-needed therapy to the more than 400,000 people around the world with hemophilia.