Diabetes care undergoes a paradigm shift to delay onset of full-blown disease

Oct 14 2009

Diabetes care is undergoing a paradigm shift in which insulin is being prescribed earlier, for more conditions, in order to delay the onset of full-blown disease, according to a study released today by Scientia Advisors. In light of that trend, as more drugs become generically available, companies offering newer, more expensive drugs will face resistance in markets most constrained by economics.

In the words of Harry Glorikian, Scientia Advisors' managing partner, “While there are exciting developments in the non-insulin oral drug categories, the makers of these newer medications would be wise to stay attuned to how to best position their products—especially when marketing in emerging economies, which are extremely sensitive to costs.”

Scientia Advisors is a global management consulting firm specializing in growth strategies for major and emerging companies.

According to Glorikian: “We expect that as more drugs are available in generic form, incretin mimetics (which increase insulin secretion) and insulins will generate an increasing share of the revenues. Therapies with benefits beyond glucose management (such as delaying the onset of diabetes or treating co-morbid conditions) will be used earlier in treatment. For a variety of reasons, despite the growing availability of new types of drugs, various forms of insulin will remain the gold standard.”

The study outlines basic scientific facts about diabetes, diabetes markets in different parts of the world, and mechanisms of action for various diabetes medications. It predicts growth and revenue share for individual drugs and describes how players and a changing treatment paradigm are affected by traditional, emerging and future drugs and technologies. The study also analyzes how alternative delivery methods (needle-free injection; intranasal, inhaled, dermal, buccal, rectal and new oral methods) will impact insulin usage.

The study, funded by Scientia itself, is based on extensive primary and secondary research and proprietary analytic methods. “Our studies allow us to provide strategic advice that is deeper, more defensible and more expansive than that offered elsewhere,” Glorikian said. “We are pleased to share our insights with clients and prospective clients and to discuss companies’ strategic planning needs.”