Increasing Demand for Active Lifestyles and Non-Surgical Treatment Options Drive European Osteoarthritis Market

LONDON, July 10 /PRNewswire/ --     An increasing demand for active lifestyles as patients refuse to be
disabled by osteoarthritis is one of the primary drivers of the European
osteoarthritis market. Patients are seeking pharmacological treatment options
rather than undergo surgical procedures, and this is promoting the demand for
osteoarthritis drugs in Europe, where around 35 to 40 million of the
population suffer from this disease in varying degrees of severity.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://pharmaceuticals.frost.com),
European Osteoarthritis Market, reveals that this market earned revenues of
US$121.2 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach US$139.7 million in 
2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of
the latest analysis of European Osteoarthritis Market, then send an e-mail to
Radhika Menon Theodore, Corporate Communications, at rmtheodore@frost.com
with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number and
e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be
sent to you by e-mail.

"It must be kept in mind, however, that there are no actual curative
therapies available for osteoarthritis," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry
Analyst Ms. Sylvia Miriyam Findlay. "The focus of osteoarthritis management
is rather on reducing pain, inflammation and disability by retarding
cartilage damage and increasing joint function."

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the class of
medications most commonly used to treat mild to moderate arthritic pain.
Traditional NSAIDs are non-selective and act by blocking both cyclooxygenase
(COX) 1 and 2 that are involved in prostaglandin production.

However, some of these NSAIDs, even the highest-selling ones, were
withdrawn from the market due to significant doubts over their side effects
and safety profile. Due to these controversies, the physician and patient
community is now looking to newer treatment options such as hyaluronic acid
(HA) or steroidal injections for pain relief.

The HA market has been gaining popularity in Europe and is poised to
penetrate the European osteoarthritis market further, but this is likely to
occur only if sufficient clinical trials substantiate the efficacy of this
therapy. The HA market is still untapped and is likely to attract many more
participants, while its low entry barriers could encourage the introduction
of newer HA products.

Proper diagnosis of the disease is still a major unmet need in the
industry, as there are no effective biomarkers or diagnostic tests available
to diagnose or monitor the progression of the disease. There also exists a
real need for the introduction of disease-modifying drugs with an improved
safety profile.

Currently, there is a huge gap in treatment options if patients do not
respond to the current pain-relieving therapies and are not ready for joint
replacement. These are the critical restraints for the European
osteoarthritis market.

"Companies are pursuing stem cell therapies to address this need as these
are not only non-invasive but also lead to tissue regeneration," says Ms.
Findlay. "Such therapies are likely to enhance the growth of the European
osteoarthritis market."

European Osteoarthritis Market, part of the Pharmaceutical and
Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service programme, provides an overview of
the current treatment options along with a complete analysis of key market
drivers, restraints and trends prevailing in the market. It also provides a
detailed analysis of the hyaluronic acid market, its revenues and
technological advancements. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,
growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify
and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele
that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment
community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique
global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies,
econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit
http://www.frost.com.

European Osteoarthritis Market

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