BioTrends Releases Quarterly TreatmentTrends(TM): Nephrology Report Highlighting Market Trends for Renal Anemia, Hyperphosphatemia, and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

EXTON, Pa., July 25 PA-BioTrends-Report


EXTON, Pa., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, Inc.
released its 10th quarterly Nephrology TreatmentTrends(TM) publication, a
syndicated report offering comprehensive insight into the management of renal
anemia and bone and mineral metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and
Dialysis.  The report provides information from 182 US Nephrologists -- data
were collected through an online survey fielded in June 2008.


In the renal anemia market, while the use of ESAs remains consistent in
hemodialysis patients compared to the same quarter last year, for the second
quarter in a row, Nephrologists report a significant decrease in the percent
of Stage 3 and Stage 4 CKD patients treated with ESAs compared to the previous
year.  And, approximately one-third of Nephrologists report that their ESA use
has decreased specifically due to managed care policies.  While there have
been no significant changes in market share year over year (Amgen's Epogen
remains the market leader in dialysis and Ortho Biotech's Procrit and Amgen's
Aranesp continue to battle for market leader position in CKD), there are
indicators of brand switching, particularly related to office stocking and
managed care reimbursement.  Despite the decreased use of ESAs in CKD,
Nephrologists do not expect any significant change in treatment prevalence
with ESAs in the next three months.


Unlike the use of ESAs in CKD, the use of IV Iron has not changed
significantly since last year -- but treatment prevalence with IV iron in CKD
remains much lower than treatment prevalence with ESAs.  In part, this seems
related to the fact that very few Nephrologists stock IV iron (36% compared to
the 73% who stock ESAs) -- primary reasons for not stocking IV iron are
"limited staffing resources" and "logistics of buying and billing."  While
American Regent's Venofer continues to hold its position as market leader in
both dialysis and CKD, the majority of Nephrologists continue to view Venofer
and Watson's Ferrlecit as interchangeable.  For those that do perceive the
products to be differentiated, Venofer tends to have a perceived advantage on
ease of administration in both dialysis and CKD.  AMAG Pharmaceutical's
Ferumoxytol could be commercially available by the end of the year.  Those
with higher familiarity of the product, feel it has a dosing and
administration advantage.


In the phosphate binder market, the launch of Genzyme's Renvela is
beginning to shift market share in both dialysis and CKD segments.  While
Renvela has primarily cannibalized Renagel share, overall sevelamer share in
both dialysis and CKD has increased compared to the prior year.  Despite
sevelamer's increased share, for the first time, overall satisfaction among
the various phosphate binders is highest for Shire's Fosrenol.  Concern with
lanthanum absorption has fallen in recent quarters and is of significantly
less concern than calcium absorption.  Both Fresenius Medical Care's PhosLo
and calcium carbonate continue to be impacted by concerns with calcium,
although calcium binders are expected to remain the preferred agents in CKD.
In response to a product profile for ferric citrate (Keryx's Zerenex that is
currently in development), interest is high, but this particular compound may
have to overcome perceptions of GI tolerability issues.


In the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, Abbott's Zemplar
continues to dominate the Vitamin D market in dialysis with a 74% share.  In
the CKD market, calcitriol/Rocaltrol continues to be the leading agent with
42% of the treated patients, and unlike dialysis where brand exclusivity is
common, in CKD less than 5% of Nephrologists prescribe Zemplar or Hectorol
exclusively.  The most important PTH Modifier attributes are "Improves
Mortality", "Effectively Lowers PTH", "Supported by Clinical Data", and
"Well-Tolerated".  Zemplar and Hectorol receive significantly higher ratings
than Amgen's Sensipar and Calcitriol on "Improves Mortality" and
"Well-Tolerated" whereas Sensipar receives significantly higher ratings than
all vitamin D products on "Efficacy".  While Sensipar receives higher ratings
than vitamin D products on a number of additional attributes, the product
continues to be reserved for patients with extremely elevated PTH.



About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.


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SOURCE  BioTrends Research Group, Inc.