PLANT DERIVED DRUGS TO REACH $30 BILLION
WORLDWIDE IN 2002
A t the present
time, about 50% of the total plant-derived drug sales come from single
entities, while the remaining 50% come from herbal remedies. Although the
latter have greater volumes of consumption, the relatively low volumes of
single entities, which are mostly prescription products, are more than
compensated by their higher prices. Single entity plant drugs, which
mostly treat serious medical ills, include atropine, digoxin, morphine,
paclitaxel, pilocarpine, reserpine, scopolamine, topotecan and vincristine,
among many others. Several of the compounds have outlived their usefulness
in light of better alternatives, however, and are exhibiting declines in
sales. On the other hand, as a consequence of new drug developments,
single entities overall are projected to increase their market share of
the combined total future dollar sales.
According to a soon-to-be-released Business
Communications Company, Inc. study, RB-121, Plant-Derived
Drugs: Products, Technologies and Applications, the total market
for plant-derived drugs was valued at $22,608 million in 1997 and is
projected to reach $30,688.5 million in 2002, representing an average
annual growth rate (AAGR) of 6.3%.
BCC estimates that terpenes will contribute the
most to the dollar sales of plant-derived drugs. As the taxoids gain as
treatment for cancer, the terpene category should increase its share still
further in the next several years. Steroids are another key group in the
terpene category. Terpenes were valued at $7,660 million in 1997 and are
expected to reach $12,400 million in 2002, at an AAGR of 10.1%.
Glycosides are the next most significant
category. Flavonoids, saponins, anthraglycosides and digitalis compounds
are among the most important groups within this category. With an AAGR of
4.8% glycosides will increase to $9,230 million in 2002 from $7,300
million in 1997.
BCC points out that alkaloids are the third most
significant category of plant-derived drugs, in terms of sales. Included
are the belladonnas, camptothecins, opiates, Rauwolfias, and Vincas, among
others. Alkaloids were valued at $3,600 million in 1997 and will project
to $4,045 million in 2002, representing an AAGR of 2.4%.
All other plant-derived drugs include
miscellaneous substances and plant drugs for which the active principles
have not been well characterized. Among the important groups within this
category are plant-derived vitamins, psoralens, ephedrines, salicylates
and various others. This category includes many substances that have been
manufactured by complete synthetic duplications rather than by plant
derivation. This category was valued at $4048 million and will rise to
$5,013.5 million in 2002, at an AAGR of 4.4%.
BCC concludes that no one application category
dominates the medical uses of plant-derived drugs. Among the most
significant are those related to neural, respiratory, digestive and skin
problems along with pain and cancer. Additional applications include
contraception, hormone replacement, cardiovascular problems, infectious
diseases and miscellaneous others.
WORLDWIDE SALES OF PLANT-DERIVED
DRUGS, 1997-2002
($ Millions)
| Plant Drug Category |
1997 |
2002 |
AAGR%
1997-2002
|
| Terpenes |
7,660 |
12,400 |
10.1 |
| Glycosides |
7,300 |
9,230 |
4.8 |
| Alkaloids |
3,600 |
4,045 |
2.4 |
| Others |
4,048 |
5,013.5 |
4.4 |
| TOTAL |
22,608 |
30,688.5 |
6.3 |
Source: Business Communications Company, Inc.,
RB-121 Plant-Derived Drugs:
Products, Technologies and Applications
PUBLISHED: January 1998
Data and analysis provided courtesy of
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC., 25 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT
06855, Telephone: (203) 853-4266; ext. 309, Email: publisher@bccresearch.com |
