Osteoporosis Diagnostic
This invention identifies variations at a gene which can predict whether or not a patient will respond to Bisphosphates. Approximately 40% of recipients do not respond to Bisphosphonate treatment. The identification of non-responding individuals holds the potential to facilitate patients receiving a more appropriate course of treatment. The total world market for osteoporosis drugs surpassed an estimated £6.35 billion in 2006, and we believe that the market for a predictive assay of this type is extremely large. It is our proposal that all patients about to start any oral Bisphosphates treatment for osteoporosis should be tested to demonstrate their ability to respond to the treatment regime.
| Date added | 22 Jan 2008 |
|---|---|
| Reference number | 22-002 |
| Status | A PCT application has been filed, priority date 27th September 2007, International Publication Number WO 2007/107717A1. |
| Availability | Exclusive/non-exclusive licensing |
| References | [Blank] |
The technology and its advantages
The utility of this invention regards predicting those who will respond to Bisphosphonates. There are no currently available prognostic assays for bisphosphonate response. Post treatment monitoring of response through biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone density scanning are of limited value, not cost effective and are not available earlier than 4 and 12 months after the initiation of bisphosphonate treatment respectively. Overall, non-responsive individuals receiving Bisphosphonates represent a substantial use of healthcare resource.
Market opportunity
Bisphosphonates are the commonest first-choice treatment for post-menopausal osteoporosis – a common condition affecting one third of post-menopausal women in the UK. 28 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass (many of whom are undiagnosed). Approximately three million people in the UK have osteoporosis and there are over 230,000 fractures every year as a result. In total, osteoporosis causes 310,000 fractures in the UK every year. The estimated cost of treating these fractures is £1.7 billion each year.
The seven major osteoporosis markets totalled $7.2 billion in 2006, with growth of 7.6%. The US is the largest market for osteoporosis treatments, which at $4.6 billion accounted for 64.5% of the total seven major market value in 2006. Japan is the second largest market, having a market worth over $1.0 billion in 2006. Yet around 40% of individuals treated with bisphosphonates do not fully respond to the drug. This represents a substantial loss both in terms of direct cost and adverse event associated morbidity (Gastro-intestinal intolerance, hypersensitivity reactions, headache, musculo-skeletal pain). Such considerations impose significant limitations on the use of such bisphosphonates in the primary care market.
Further information
Please contact: Chris Loryman, UCL Business PLC:
T. +44 (0)20 7679 9000 E c.loryman@uclb.com
