Multiple Sclerosis – Emerging Therapies – Ocrevus PP-MS Launch Tracking Wave 3 (US)
Market Overview
In a landmark FDA ruling in March 2017, Ocrevus became the first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) approved for the treatment of primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PP-MS). Although the drug’s efficacy appears more modest in this population than in patients with relapsing forms of MS, the combination of proven clinical benefits and a positive safety profile (to date) yields a highly compelling product for a deeply underserved population. Even so, questions remain about exactly how it will fit into the progressive MS treatment algorithm. DRG’s launch tracking series will examine how the perception and performance of Ocrevus has evolved through Year 1 with an MS prescriber base that has hitherto struggled to treat PP-MS.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
- What is the awareness of, familiarity with, and perception of Ocrevus among U.S. neurologists?
- For which PP-MS patients are neurologists prescribing Ocrevus, what are the reasons for prescribing, and how satisfied are they with Ocrevus?
- What promotional messages and activities are Genentech/Roche using to support the Ocrevus launch in PP-MS?
- How does the trial and adoption of Ocrevus in PP-MS compare to the trial and adoption of Ocrevus and other recently launched products in the saturated relapsing MS market? How do adopters and nonadopters in PP-MS compare across key metrics?
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Emerging Therapies is a three-wave series based on primary research data collected at 1, 6, and 12 months post-commercial launch with U.S. physicians. The research captures physicians’ awareness, perceptions, and use of the launched product as well as anticipated future trends. Insight is also provided on promotional efforts, prescriber and nonprescriber profiles, and benchmarking against other launched agents.
Markets covered: United States.
Primary research: Survey of approximately 75 U.S. neurologists.
Key metrics included:
- Unaided and aided awareness of Ocrevus.
- Familiarity with and impressions of Ocrevus.
- Prescriber and nonprescriber profiles.
- Willingness to prescribe Ocrevus.
- Performance of Ocrevus on key attributes.
- Sales representative frequency, reach, and satisfaction.
- Benchmarking against previously launched MS agents.
Table of contents
- Multiple Sclerosis - Emerging Therapies - Ocrevus PP-MS Launch Tracking Wave 3 (US)
- Key Findings
- Benchmarking Ocrevus's Launch Success vs. Other Launched Drugs
- By Various Measures, Ocrevus in PP-MS Outpaces Other Benchmark DMTs for Relapsing MS at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Prescriber and Nonprescriber Profiles
- Differences Between Ocrevus Prescribers and Nonprescribers for PP-MS at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Differences Between Ocrevus Prescriber and Nonprescriber Profiles
- Ocrevus Awareness and Perceptions
- Unaided and Aided Awareness of Ocrevus
- High Overall Awareness of Ocrevus and its Attributes Endures at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Unaided Awareness of Drugs Approved or Launched for the Treatment of MS
- Aided Awareness of Ocrevus
- Aided Awareness of Ocrevus's Indication
- Aided Awareness of Ocrevus's Mechanism of Action
- Aided Awareness of Ocrevus's Dosing Interval
- Aided Awareness of the Comparator Used in Ocrevus's Pivotal Clinical Trial in PP-MS
- Aided Awareness of Ocrevus's Clinical Profile in PP-MS
- Familiarity with Ocrevus
- Familiarity with Ocrevus Remains High at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Level of Familiarity with Ocrevus
- Sources of Familiarity with Ocrevus
- Wave 3 Neurologists Indicate Sales Representative Interactions Are a Growing Source of Familiarity
- Initial Reaction to and Interest in Ocrevus
- Neurologists' Favorable Reactions to Ocrevus in PP-MS and Interest in Learning More Persists at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Ocrevus's Product Profile in PP-MS
- Ocrevus Information Requiring Additional Education
- Initial Reaction of Neurologists to Ocrevus for the Treatment of PP-MS
- Neurologists' Level of Interest in Learning More About Ocrevus
- Impressions of Ocrevus
- Wave 3 Neurologists Continue to Express that Ocrevus's Top Advantage is its Efficacy in and Approval for PP-MS
- Unaided Advantages of Ocrevus for PP-MS
- Unaided Disadvantages of Ocrevus for PP-MS
- Statement Agreements About Ocrevus for PP-MS
- Statement Agreements About Ocrevus for PP-MS: Mean Rating
- Rating of Ocrevus's Risk/Benefit Balance for PP-MS
- Prescriber and Nonprescriber Profiles
- Despite Few Nonprescribers at One Year, Familiarity and Risk Aversion Fuel a Lingering Reticence to Prescribe Ocrevus in PP-MS
- Differences Between Ocrevus Prescriber and Nonprescriber Profiles
- Unaided and Aided Awareness of Ocrevus
- Ocrevus Trial and Use
- Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus
- Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus to PP-MS Patients Climbed Higher at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus to PP-MS Patients
- Impact of Clinical and Nonclinical Attributes on Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus in PP-MS
- Impact of Clinical and Nonclinical Attributes on Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus in PP-MS: Mean Rating
- Number of Patients Currently Receiving Ocrevus
- Ocrevus Continues to Experience Strong Uptake in PP-MS Patients 12 Months Postlaunch
- Number of PP-MS and Non-Relapsing SP-MS Patients Prescribed Ocrevus
- Mean Number of PP-MS and Non-Relapsing SP-MS Patients Prescribed Ocrevus
- Ocrevus Discontinuation Rate in PP-MS
- Ocrevus Discontinuation Rate in PP-MS: Mean Number
- Reasons for Discontinuing Ocrevus
- Current Use of DMTs in PP-MS Patients
- PP-MS Patient Inquiries About Ocrevus
- PP-MS Patients Inquiries About Ocrevus: Mean Number
- Percentage of PP-MS Patients Starting Ocrevus Following a Request
- Categories of Current Ocrevus-Treated PP-MS Patients
- Source Therapy for Current PP-MS Patients Switched to Ocrevus
- Number of Prior Therapies for PP-MS Patients Switched to Ocrevus
- Reasons for Starting/Switching to Ocrevus in PP-MS
- Ocrevus Follow-Up Visits in PP-MS
- Ocrevus Treatment Response in PP-MS
- Ocrevus-Prescribed PP-MS Patients' Experience with Infusion Reactions
- Reasons for Not Yet Prescribing Ocrevus
- Safety Concerns and Patient Access Issues Continue to Impact Ocrevus Prescribing in PP-MS Patients
- Reasons for Not Yet Prescribing Ocrevus to PP-MS Patients
- Obstacles to Prescribing Ocrevus to PP-MS Patients
- Anticipated Ocrevus Use
- At 12 Months Postlaunch, Neurologists Expect Continued Ocrevus Penetration in the Treatment of PP-MS
- Anticipated Timing for Ocrevus Prescribing to PP-MS Patients Among Current Nonprescribers
- Percentage of PP-MS and Non-Relapsing SP-MS Patients Considered Ocrevus Candidates
- Reasons for PP-MS Patients to Be Ineligible for Treatment with Ocrevus
- Percentage of PP-MS Patients Considered Ocrevus Candidates by Treatment Situation
- Current and Anticipated DMT Treatment Rates in PP-MS
- Current and Anticipated DMT Treatment Rates in PP-MS: Mean Rate
- Current and Anticipated Brand Allocation Among DMT-Treated PP-MS Patients
- Ocrevus Performance on Key Attributes
- Prescribers Remain Highly Satisfied with Ocrevus's Performance on Key Attributes at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Prescribers' Overall Satisfaction with Ocrevus in PP-MS
- Current Reimbursement Limitations on Ocrevus for PP-MS
- Rating of Ocrevus's Performance on Clinical and Nonclinical Attributes in Treating PP-MS
- Mean Rating of Ocrevus's Performance and Nonclinical Attributes in Treating PP-MS
- Willingness to Prescribe Ocrevus
- Effectiveness of Face-to-Face Detailing for Ocrevus
- Ocrevus Sales Representative Frequency and Reach
- Fewer Neurologists Reported Never Having Contact with Ocrevus Sales Representatives at 12 Months Postlaunch Than in Prior Waves
- Ocrevus Sales Representative Detailing Reach
- Satisfaction with Ocrevus Sales Representative
- Neurologists Continue to Report High Satisfaction with Ocrevus Sales Representatives at 12 Months Postlaunch
- Neurologist Satisfaction with Ocrevus Sales Representatives
- Neurologist Satisfaction with Ocrevus Sales Representatives: Mean Rating
- Ocrevus Message Recall
- Ocrevus's Approval for PP-MS Persists as a Key Message 12 Months Postlaunch
- Unaided Ocrevus Message Recall During Recent Detail
- Aided Ocrevus Message Recall During Recent Detail
- Ocrevus Sales Representative Frequency and Reach
- Appendix
- Abbreviations
- Key Findings
Sarah Soucy, M.S., is a Business Insights Analyst with the central nervous system/ophthalmology disorders group at Decision Resources Group. She has authored primary research and insights for dry and wet age-related macular degeneration and multiple sclerosis.
Prior to joining DRG, Ms. Soucy spent six years on the client side as a scientist at Pfizer in the inflammation and immunology research group with both in vitro and in vivo experience. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science with a Bioscience and Technology option and her M.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, where she studied disordered metabolism