Dew, the C&EN article is interesting for its reminder of the likely future of HCV treatment.
"It’s no surprise, then, that the sales potential for the new HCV drugs is vast. Despite their drawbacks, interferon and ribavirin still bring in healthy sales for their marketers, Roche and Merck & Co. In 2008, the global HCV drug market was roughly $2.0 billion, according to Decision Resources. The consultancy forecasts that by 2013, just two years after the anticipated launch of the two new drugs [Telaprevir and Boceprevir], sales will reach $7.4 billion."
combined with one near the end.
"In terms of maximizing returns on investments, companies developing small-molecule antivirals are in a race against time. The number of new HCV infections has declined substantially over the past decade, and the majority of those currently infected in the U.S. are from the baby boomer generation. Once they are diagnosed, treated, and cured, demand for HCV drugs is expected to wane. Decision Resources projects that after the spike in sales in 2013, they will drop to $3.3 billion by 2018." |
