Biopharmaceutical companies have a major opportunity in the form of drug development for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a report suggests.

The chronic inflammatory disease has few treatment options, with standard care and anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies being the only choices.

A new analysis from Frost & Sullivan reveals that this underserved market represents a significant opportunity, with revenues in the US expected to rise from just over $496.6 million in 2011 to $986.3 million in 2017.
With many patients failing to respond to anti-TNF drugs, any pharmaceutical company that succeeds in developing and bringing to market a new AS therapy could be looking at significant earnings potential.
"There will be a strong market for advanced, affordable and disease-modifying drugs with improved safety and true clinical benefits," said Frost & Sullivan senior industry analyst Deborah Toscano.

She noted that aggressive marketing efforts could improve the uptake of novel AS drugs and help new participants "to gain market share".