Drug Patches for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Creating Options and Opportunities

Patients with diseases of the central nervous system are often faced with challenges that include compromised cognition and diminished dexterity that make it difficult to adhere to drug protocols based on oral formulations. Drug patches present the opportunity to mitigate these impediments. Patients with dementia of the Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s type are now able to medicate via the Exelon patch, a once-a-day transdermal formulation approved by the FDA in 2007 and manufactured by LTS Lohmann for Novartis.

“The Exelon patch is the first transdermal drug product approved for dementia, a condition that by its nature can result in diminished compliance levels,” explains George Perros, Managing Director at Applied Data Research. ADR believe first-generation CNS patches such as the Exelon patch are an important step toward greater compliance among dementia patients. “Of course, in the absence of a caregiver the patient must still remember to apply the patch, which replaces twice-a-day oral dosing,” adds Perros. “The true benefit to patients will come with extended-wear patches on the order of twice-per-week or perhaps once-per-week dosing.”

Response to the Exelon patch indicates an unmet need. The patch now accounts for about twenty percent of total Exelon sales, with the remainder divided between oral tablets and oral solution. Other drug suppliers are taking note. Eisai is developing a patch version of its Aricept in a partnership with Teikoku, as its flagship product faces the loss of patent protection in 2010.

ADR’s report, CNS Therapeutics: Markets and Opportunities for Transdermal Delivery, provides analysis and forecasts of commercial and development-stage patches for treating diseases of the central nervous system. It analyzes critical business and marketing issues, as well as market opportunities and challenges for drug developers, patch manufacturers, and supply chain participants.

More information is available at www.applieddata.org .

About Applied Data

Applied Data Research is a healthcare therapeutics consulting firm focused on medical market strategies, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed business development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis.

Contact:
Greg Stone
Voice: 603-595-6225
www.applieddata.org

Source: Applied Data Research