Genentech's Biological Agent Avastin Will Be the Market Leader by 2011, According to a New Report from Decision Resources

WALTHAM, Mass., May 29, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts that the non-small-cell lung cancer drug market in China will reach $640 million in 2011. According to the new Emerging Markets report entitled Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in China, the emergence of novel monoclonal antibodies - most notably Genentech/Roche's Avastin and ImClone/Merck KGaA's Erbitux - will drive growth. Avastin will be the market leader in China by 2011. Deeper market penetration of recently available small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (AstraZeneca's Iressa and Genentech/Roche's Tarceva) will also add to the growth.

The report also finds that domestically manufactured agents, if available, are more commonly used than their Western branded counterparts. In rural China, almost all drugs used are manufactured domestically, whereas in urban China, patients who can afford higher treatment costs use Western brands. Western brands must also compete with traditional Chinese medicine.

"Traditional Chinese medicine is used in the majority of non-small-cell lung cancer patients," said Mohamed Muhsin, analyst at Decision Resources. "Despite its popularity, more physicians consider traditional Chinese medicine a complement rather than an alternative to Western drugs."

About Emerging Markets - China

Emerging Markets - China is the first and only syndicated report series focusing on high-growth emerging markets with comprehensive disease-specific analysis. With these reports, biopharmaceutical companies can accomplish the following:

    -- More accurately assess the commercial opportunity for Western brands in
      key pharmaceutical markets of China - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou -
      and in the high-growth second-tier markets of Tianjin, Wuhan, Nanjing,
      Hangzhou, and Jinan.
    -- Understand the physician treatment patterns and drivers of choice in
      key first- and second-tier cities based on primary research.
    -- Gain a clear perspective of the Chinese five-year market forecast at
      the drug level, broken out by urban and rural areas, and by sales from
      multinational and Chinese-based companies.

About Decision Resources

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

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

    For more information, contact:
    Elizabeth Marshall
    Decision Resources, Inc.
    781-296-2563
   

CONTACT: Elizabeth Marshall of Decision Resources, Inc., +1-781-296-2563,or

Web site: http://www.decisionresources.com/