Myeloid growth factor therapy has become the standard therapy for the treatment of neutropenia. The myeloid-specific cytokine G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) is the primary growth factor that increases neutrophil production. The human G-CSF gene was transduced and incorporated into Escherichia coli through recombinant DNA technology, formed drug is known as ‘filgrastim’. Filgrastim is G-CSF that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils. The drug was developed by Amgen and marketed under the trade name Neupogen. It was approved in the U.S. by Food Drug and Administration in February 1991. Neupogen is approved for various indications, such as febrile neutropenia. It is indicated to reduce the recovery time of neutrophils and the duration of fever following chemotherapy treatment of patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. For the patient who are undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy in nonmyeloid malignancies, filgrastim reduces the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related clinical sequelae. In addition, it is used as a stem cell mobilizer and for the treatment of cyclic‚ genital‚ or idiopathic neutropenia.
The patents on Neupogen expired in the US in December 2013 and in Europe in 2006. The entry of filgrastim biosimilar into the market such as Zarzio (Sandoz), Nufil (Biocon), Grastofil (Apotex) and many more have boosted the growth of the filgrastim biosimilar market. Growing demand for biosimilar and increase in demand for cost effective treatment in low and medium-income countries further drives the growth of the filgrastim biosimilar market during the forecast period. Moreover, approximately half of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience some type of neutropenia, thus increase the demand for filgrastim biosimilars. However, stringent regulatory process for the approval of biosimilar and complicated manufacturing process is major restrain for the growth of the global filgrastim biosimilar market.
The global filgrastim market is segmented on the basis of application, distribution channel, and geography. On the basis of application, the global filgrastim market is segmented into febrile neutropenia, genital neutropenia, idiopathic neutropenia, and many more. An increase in the incidence of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy has boosted the growth of the market. Based on distribution channel, the global filgrastim market is segmented into online pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and retail pharmacy. Hospital pharmacy is a major contributor in terms of revenue to the market due to increase in a number of hospital visits and hospital stays.
At the regional level, the global filgrastim biosimilar market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of revenue, North America followed by Europe is a major contributor to the global filgrastim biosimilar market. This is partly because of increased government initiatives for cost-effective treatment and an increase in demand for biosimilars. Furthermore, a strong clinical pipeline and increasing research and drug development activities propel the growth of the market in these regions. Asia Pacific is the third promising revenue contributor which is expected to grow at rapid pace in the upcoming year. Countries such as Japan, India, and China are major contributors to this market and are identified as most lucrative for this market. Emerging and huge population base countries such as China and India offer tremendous market opportunities.
Some of the market players leading the global filgrastim biosimilar market include Aryogen Biopharma, Cadila Pharmaceutical, Claris Life Sciences, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Intas Biopharmaceuticals, Adello Biologics, Hospira(Pfizer), Genova Biopharmaceuticals (Emcure), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sandoz and many more.
