Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mqf9dn/ophthalmology) has announced the addition of the "Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Developed Markets to 2019 - New Drug Approvals and Promising Pipeline to Trigger Shift in Treatment Paradigm to Combination Therapies" report to their offering.

The ophthalmology therapeutics market for Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) and glaucoma in the Major Markets for the sector, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada Japan, was worth $3.7 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.6% to reach $6.1 billion by 2019.

The top five European markets (the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) are expected to show the fastest growth over the forecast period, with a CAGR of 20.4%. The other three markets are expected to see similar but slightly lower CAGRs, with Canada at 9.8%, the US at 4.3%, and Japan at 2.7%. The US had the largest market in 2012, with a value of $1.9 billion, or 52% of the total ophthalmology market. The next-largest market was Japan with $1,065m or 29% of the total Major Markets. In the same year, the top five European markets were valued at $549m, a share of 15%. Canada had the lowest market share at 4%, with a market value of $144m.

Moderate Pipeline with Promising Drugs in Late Stages of Development could Drive Market Expectations

The global ophthalmology pipeline is becoming increasingly innovative, with a cluster of novel molecules in the early stages of development. There are currently five molecules in the pre-registration stage of development that are expected to be granted approval within the forecast period. Two of these are indicted for DES and three for glaucoma. Nearly 36% of the pipeline for glaucoma and DES consists of molecules in the late stages of development (Phases II and III), and of these, 21 molecules (43%) are indicated for DES and 28 (57%) for glaucoma.

Some of the major factors driving the growth of the market are the growing awareness of the importance of detecting ophthalmic diseases early, the availability of effective diagnostic tools, and an increase in the prevalence of both diseases. The expiration of blockbuster drug patents and the subsequent pressure from cheaper off-label products will be a key market restraint.

A sizeable section of glaucoma patients require combination therapy - the use of additional agents to the treatment regimen - to control elevated intraocular pressure. The demand for combination products over single-ingredient formulations has risen, and they often improve patient compliance as the two drugs can be administered simultaneously. Diquas (diquafosol tetrasodium) by Santen Pharmaceutical and Mucosta (rebamipide) by Otsuka Holdings were both recently launched in Japan. These manufacturers must now focus on increasing diagnosis rates and growing their products' market shares before looking at adding new therapies to the treatment scheme.

In September 2008, Acucela and Otsuka signed an agreement to co-develop rebamipide ophthalmic suspension for DES in the US, where it is currently in Phase III trials. In addition to co-developing rebamipide ophthalmic suspension with Otsuka, Acucela will lead the regulatory process in submitting the drug for FDA approval.

Key Topics Covered:

1.1 List of Tables

1.2 List of Figures

2 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Introduction

3 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Marketed Products (Global)

4 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Pipeline Analysis

5 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Market Forecast to 2019

6 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Deals and Strategic Consolidations (Global)

7 Ophthalmology Therapeutics in Major Markets - Appendix

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mqf9dn/ophthalmology

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