Double-digit Sales Growth, Robust Pipelines and Multiple New Launches Planned
Posted on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 @ 03:50 PM
I knew that headline would get your attention. And while it might look like 
fantasyland in light of current economic trends affecting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, it isn’t. The oncology market is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 12% to 15% between now and 2012, according to the IMS Global Oncology Forecast. The growth of the oncology market will be nearly double the forecasted growth rate of the overall pharmaceutical market over the next few years, reaching $75 to $80 billion in sales by 2012.
There are nearly 2,000 individual molecules currently in development for the treatment of cancer. Our industry has clearly identified oncology as a major opportunity, and demographics suggest that this market will continue to grow in spite of economic fluctuations. Global populations are aging, and cancer is an age-related disease. Looking at the US, President Obama vowed to seek a “cure for cancer in our time” in his February 2009 speech to congress, and followed that up by announcing a plan to double cancer research spending by 2017.
Unprecedented progress in genomics, the growth of targeted therapies and the promise of personalized medicine are all playing a critical role in winning the battle against cancer. A greater focus on screening, earlier diagnosis and prevention is also going to contribute to continued growth in the cancer diagnostics sector.
JFK Communications has a strong legacy of oncology public relations and cancer communications experience. From ground-breaking disease awareness initiatives with Lance Armstrong to global launches of blockbuster cancer medicines, JFK has been there. And we remain stalwarts in supporting companies large and small working to bring and end to this global scourge. We help our clients with difficult oncology clinical trial recruitment, as well as even more difficult preparation for Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee meetings. We know the cancer advocates, oncology KOLs and the PR folks at the major oncology professional societies. JFK team members have spent much of our careers working at leading oncology companies and supporting global cancer initiatives. We also provide pro bono support to key patient advocacy clients.
Healthcare reform will bring a number of seismic changes. These include the emergence of a comparative effectiveness model, and for cancer patients, an increased focus on personalized medicine, improved screening and earlier diagnosis. Throw into this mix a highly motivated patient advocacy community committed to making sure that patients get the best treatments for their cancer, and you have a very challenging communications environment.
This is an exciting time to be involved in the cancer market. Considerable progress is being made in understanding the disease, governments are making major commitments to eradicate cancer, and healthcare reform is changing the model for delivery of care.
As Abraham Lincoln once said:
As our case is new, we must think and act anew.
--David Avitabile