Cancer Treatment Market for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors Will Multiply Nearly Ten-Fold to $5.3 Billion by 2009

WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and health care issues, finds that the market for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for the treatment of various forms of cancer will experience a nearly ten-fold increase, growing from $550 million in 2004 to almost $5.3 billion in 2009.

According to the new Pharmacor report entitled VEGF Inhibitors, the growth in this market will be fueled by increased sales of the only currently- available drug in this class -- Genentech/Roche's Avastin (bevacizumab) -- as well as the introduction of novel agents during the next ten years.

"In addition to Avastin's market expansion in the U.S., Europe and Japan for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, the market will also be driven by the launch of Avastin for treating other cancers and the launch of new small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the VEGF receptors," said Mohamed Muhsin, analyst at Decision Resources, Inc. "These therapies include Bayer/Onyx Pharmaceuticals' sorafenib and Pfizer's sutent (sunitinib) for chemotherapy refractory renal cell carcinoma; Novartis/Schering AG's vatalanib for colorectal cancer; and AstraZeneca's Zactima (ZD-6474) for treating recurrent/refractory non-small-cell lung cancer."

About VEGF Inhibitors

VEGF plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels) and maintenance of existing tumor vessels. Inhibiting VEGF via different mechanisms has shown promise as a cancer treatment strategy in several clinical trials but the only currently-available VEGF inhibitor is Avastin. Potential exists for other VEGF inhibitors that can be used in synergy with existing therapies, and that offer improved side effect profiles or efficacies.

About Pharmacor from Decision Resources

Pharmacor is a unique family of studies that assesses a host of market- impacting factors and analyzes the commercial outlook for drugs in research and development.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources, Inc., (http://www.decisionresources.com/) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

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