�As the Baby Boomer
generation reaches retirement age, the number of Americans suffering
from Alzheimer's disease is expected to parachute from 5 million to about
14 million in 2050. Meanwhile, several patents for Alzheimer's
treatments ar approaching expiration, and developers are working on
innovations in anticipation of close at hand generic competition,
according to a newly published report from Kalorama Information,
"World Alzheimer's Disease Market (Incidence, Treatments, Key
Companies, Pipeline and Trends)."
Demand for Alzheimer's treatments has surged over the past x --
sales grew a healthy 17.3% each year from 2005 to 2007. Though growth
is expected to stay on at a strong 6.7% annual rate through 2012,
this is importantly slower than before, and can be attributed to a
sudden drop in growth after 2010 as a number of drugs near patent
expirations and generic companies prepare to launch combining weight
products. Teva, Dr. Reddy's, Ranbaxy, Mylan, Barr, Sun Pharma,
Genpharm, Lupin, and Wockhardt ar all expected to hold generic
versions of some of the world's largest Alzheimer's drugs on the
market by 2010.
"Eisai's Aricept, which has the lion's percentage of the market, is a
prime target for generic contender," notes Mellisa Elder, Kalorama
Information's pharmaceutical analyst. "Its patent is still
enforceable as it was granted in 1990. But Eisai has been fighting
with Teva, Mutual and United Research Labs, and more court
proceedings are expected."
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