Rheumatoid arthritis pipeline drugs unlikely to address unmet needs

According to the latest report from GlobalData, pipeline agents in the rheumatoid arthritis space are unlikely to address unmet needs by 2025.

The report states that the disease is effectively treated by currently available options and, upon launch, pipeline agents will compete for the same patient populations. Although drugs with novel mechanisms of action are welcome additions to the market, the real challenge will be to determine where these drugs fit into the treatment paradigm.

“Unmet needs, including the need for personalised treatments and earlier diagnosis, are likely to be met through initiatives and research efforts to understand the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, and through the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the disease,” explained Kavita Rainova, MSc, senior healthcare analyst at GlobalData. “While research in this area is underway, it is expected that individualised medicine will still be in its beginning stages by the end of the forecast period in 2025.

“Drug developers should be aware of the ongoing trend of tapering off medications,” Rainova continues. “As biologics are so expensive, patients and physicians must often work together to find a regimen that works best for the patient. This may involve taking drugs less frequently or even stopping therapy altogether if the patient has responded well and no longer has active disease.”