Bipolar Depression | Unmet Need | US/EU | 2018

Bipolar disorder is a spectrum disorder that encompasses two symptom domains: mania and depression. The symptoms of bipolar depression can include fatigue, insomnia, suicidal ideation, and feelings of worthlessness. Presently, there are a handful of therapies approved to treat bipolar depression, but none can sufficiently address this symptom domain, in particular the acute treatment of patients’ depressive symptoms. Thus, treatments with a rapid onset of therapeutic action are needed. Understanding the drivers of clinical decision-marking in the treatment of bipolar depression will help drug developers focus on agents that fulfill the indication’s treatment needs and help marketers determine how to leverage their products’ attributes.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

• What are surveyed psychiatrists’ opinion of the relative performances of bipolar depression therapies, including aripiprazole (Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Abilify, generics) and lurasidone (Sunovion’s Latuda), on key efficacy, safety/tolerability, and convenience of administration attributes?
• Based on the responses of surveyed physicians, what level of unmet need exists on key drug performance attributes?
• What attributes drive decision-making in the treatment of bipolar depression, which have limited impact, and which are hidden opportunities? How do off-label treatments perform on these attributes?
• Based on a conjoint analysis and TPP simulation, what trade-offs between efficacy, safety, convenience of administration, and price are psychiatrists willing to make for a hypothetical new drug to treat bipolar depression?

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Unmet Need: Provides quantitative insight into U.S. and European physician perceptions of key treatment drivers and goals and the current level of unmet need for a specific disease. Commercial opportunities are analyzed, and the extent to which emerging therapies may capitalize on these opportunities is evaluated.

Markets covered: United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom

Primary research: Survey of 60 U.S. psychiatrists and 31 psychiatrists in Europe.

Key companies: AstraZeneca, Lundbeck A/S, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Sunovion

Key drugs: Aripiprazole (Abilify, generics), lamotrigine (Lamictal, generics), lithium, Latuda, and sertraline (Zoloft, generics)

Key metrics included:

• Stated versus derived analysis of U.S. and European physician prescribing behavior.
• Conjoint analysis with U.S. and European physicians, includes market simulator.
• Assessment of current drug performance against treatment drivers and goals.
• Physician perceptions of unmet need in subpopulation(s) covered and related diseases/subpopulations.
• Analysis of remaining drug development opportunities.