LONDON, UK (GlobalData), 27 September 2013 - Hit by a stagnant pipeline, job cuts, Phase III failures, generics competition and looming patent cliffs, AstraZeneca has seen better days; but a new drug could potentially put the ailing company back on its feet, says an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData.
On September 18, 2013, AstraZeneca announced that the new drug application (NDA) for Epanova (omefas), a fish oil-based treatment for hypertriglyceridemia, was accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Epanova, a product developed by Omthera Pharmaceuticals, caught the attention of AstraZeneca over the last year, leading to the latter company’s $437 million take-over of Omthera in July.
According to the current NDA, Epanova would be indicated to treat severe high blood levels of triglycerides, a condition that is marked by triglyceride levels equal to or exceeding 500 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and which afflicts some four million patients in the US, increasing their risk of heart disease and strokes.
Eric J. Dimise, Ph.D., GlobalData’s Analyst covering Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, says: “If approved, Epanova would come into head-to-head competition with GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) and Amarin’s Vascepa (icosapent ethyl), both omega-3-acid ethyl ester fish oil-derived treatments for hypertriglyceridemia.” Dimise says that even though Epanova is also prepared from fish oil omega-3s, it boasts two key innovations that Omthera and AstraZeneca believe will give it a leg up over the competition.
Firstly, unlike the esterified GSK and Amarin compounds, Epanova consists of the omega-3 oils in their free acid form. Secondly, Omthera claims that a patent-protected capsule will further improve the delivery and the effect of the product’s active ingredients.
However, according to Dimise, AstraZeneca has been clear about where its sights are set for the long-term future of this drug: a Crestor-Epanova combination therapy.
“Statins are the true giants of the drug market, and AstraZeneca would very much like to prevent Crestor from drowning in the flood waters of the generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) deluge.
“Furthermore, if the acquisition of smaller companies and promising compounds over the last year turn out to be smart moves – as may well be the case with Epanova– AstraZeneca will be able to tout a short-term success whilst having crystalized a longer-term vision,” concludes Dimise.
- Comment provided by Eric J. Dimise, Ph.D., GlobalData’s Analyst covering Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders. For guidelines on how to cite GlobalData, please see: http://www.globaldata.com/QuotingGlobalData.aspx
-ABOUT GLOBALDATA-
GlobalData is a leading global research and consulting firm offering advanced analytics to help clients make better, more informed decisions every day. Our research and analysis is based on the expert knowledge of over 700 qualified business analysts and 25,000 interviews conducted with industry insiders every year, enabling us to offer the most relevant, reliable and actionable strategic business intelligence available for a wide range of industries.
For more information, please contact our Press Office on +44 (0)1204 543 528 or at pr@globaldata.com.
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
