February 28, 2008

THE SAGE GROUP Reports that in 2007 Between 4 and 8.4 Million Europeans Suffered from the Symptoms of Intermittent Claudication.

ATLANTA -- (BUSINESS WIRE -- A recent analysis published by THE SAGE GROUP concluded that between 3 and 6.7 million people in Western Europe have intermittent claudication (IC). An additional 800,000 to 1.7 million people in Eastern Europe suffer from IC. 

“Western and Eastern Europe represent a significant market opportunity for pharmaceutical and interventional therapies,” stated Mary L. Yost, author of the report.   “For example, if all patients are diagnosed and treated appropriately, the market for pharmaceutical therapies to treat the walking-related symptoms of IC is approximately $1.3 to $2.7 billion. Germany is the largest market, followed by Italy and France,” continued Yost.

“In terms of the number of people with intermittent claudication, the European market represents a much larger opportunity for pharmaceutical therapies than the United States,” Ms. Yost stated. “According to our estimates, 2 to 4 million U.S. citizens suffer from intermittent claudication. The difference is explained by the higher European population in combination with more people in the older PAD-prone age groups, ” she elaborated.

About Peripheral Arterial Disease and Intermittent Claudication
PAD, also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), is characterized by a reduction of blood flow to the lower limbs due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which the walls of the arteries thicken and harden as a result of the build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) on their inner lining.
The most commonly recognized symptom, intermittent claudication (IC), is characterized by pain, cramping or fatigue in the legs when walking, which disappears at rest. Although considered a less severe form of PAD, IC can be a debilitating condition which can interfere with mobility and ability to accomplish the tasks of daily living.

INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION EUROPE.
A Country-Specific Market Analysis of Oral IC Therapies 2000-2007 and
A Population-Based Analysis of the Potential Market 2007-2020

This report focuses on two primary topics: the actual market for pharmaceutical therapies employed to treat the symptoms of intermittent claudication (IC) and the potential market assuming that all patients are diagnosed and treated appropriately.

The market for the four main IC pharmaceuticals (Pletal [cilostazol], Trental (pentoxifylline), naftidrofuryl and buflomedil) is analyzed for the Western and Eastern European regions, as well as for each specific country in the Western region and the two largest markets in Eastern Europe.

The potential market for IC therapies is projected using a population-based method that begins with calculations of  PAD prevalence by age group. In each region and country, the number of people with PAD, IC, the number needing medication for symptoms and the dollar value of the market is displayed for the years 2007-2020.
For additional information: http://www.thesagegroup.us/Intermittent_Claudication_Europe/index.html.

About THE SAGE GROUP
THE SAGE GROUP, a research and consulting company, specializes in vascular disease in the lower limbs.

For additional information visit www.thesagegroup.us.

SOURCE: THE SAGE GROUP

THE SAGE GROUP, Atlanta
Harrington Witherspoon, 404/816-0746
witherspoon@thesagegroup.us