ERYTHROPOIETIN DRUGS MARKET ANALYSIS

Leading Companies

Introduction of new erythropoietin biosimilar will intensify the market competition

The key players in the erythropoietin drugs market are Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Biocon, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Teva Pharmaceutical ltd. Due to the high cost associated with the development of innovator drugs and the patent expiration of the first erythropoietin drug launched by Amgen, the major players in the market are introducing erythropoietin biosimilar in the market with major focus on darbepoietin alfa drug. Key biosimilar such as NuPIAO, KRN321, ErepoXen and JR-131 are present at various stages of clinical development. The market is consolidated in nature and the key pharmaceutical companies will aim to introduce erythropoietin drugs in under-penetrated markets such as India, China, Japan and U.S. to stay competitive in the market.

1. Major market players in the market are involved in various growth strategies such as applying for regulatory approval from concerning authorities, in order to gain competitive edge in the global market. For instance, in August 2019, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) filed submission for market approval of Japanese New Drug Application (JNDA) to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for its dapordustat. It is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) for the treatment renal anemia caused in chronic key disease. Anemia in CKD is caused by deficiency of erythropoietin
2. Key companies in the market are involved in various business strategies such as gaining product approval from regulatory authorities, in order to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in May 2018, Pfizer, Inc., a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for RETACRIT, which is a biosimilar to Epogen and Procrit. It is the first and only FDA approved biosimilar erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.