There is increased industry focus on the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including agitation—and with good reason. Agitation affects the majority of diagnosed AD patients, according to DRG epidemiology, and comprises a constellation of disruptive symptoms for patients and their families. With competing brands from Lundbeck/Otsuka, Avanir/Otsuka, and IntraCellular Therapies (among others) poised to enter the market beginning in 2021, and blockbuster sales at stake, understanding the drivers of clinical decision making in agitation and prescriber perceptions of the risk/benefits of today’s off-label (but generic) options will help identify levers for new product positioning and differentiation in this evolving market.
Questions Answered:
Markets covered: United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany
Primary research: Survey of 60 U.S. and 30 European neurologists fielded in January 2017
Key companies: Lundbeck, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Avanir Pharmaceuticals
Key drugs: quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine, haloperidol, citalopram, arpiprazole, lorazepam, brexpiprazole, AVP-786