A new financial analysis of the HIV drug market highlights the potential reshuffling of market positions as the patents of AIDS drugs expire (money.cnn.com, 11/19).
It is estimated that the $8 billion HIV drug market will expand by approximately 50 percent by 2016, says analyst Mansi Shah of research company Datamonitor.
With two thirds of current HIV drug patents expiring in the next 10 years, more and more companies are expected to challenge top drugmakers. In addition, experts attribute the booming market to advanced HIV medications, which will keep those living with the virus—and the drug market—alive and well for years to come.
“HIV patients live much longer,” says Jason Zhang, an analyst for BMO Capital Markets. “They have the disease for life, and that’s why the market is growing.”
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comments 1 - 3 (of 3 total)
Zachary, Denver, CO, 2007-11-28 15:36:46
Better that the market not be growing? Developing a cure for a disease by no means ensures the eradication of that disease. Someone somewhere will always need meds. A manufacturer who could produce a cure for HIV infection would stand to reap enormous profits.
Ryan, Queens, 2007-11-28 15:18:40
I think the drug companies are more focused on trying to maintain HIV/AIDS as to curing it. We all know for a fact that drug companies moto is "There isn't any PROFITS in a CURE" So I am happy about the new drugs and what they do but VERY concerned about where this is going.
Leonardo, Middletown, NJ, 2007-11-25 07:50:21
"They have the disease for life, and that's why the market is growing."
Does the prospect of having lifelong customers, why would any drug company want to develop an actual cure? Scary.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
