Decision Resources projects Vidaza will remain clinical gold standard through 2013

WALTHAM, Mass. Market research firm Decision Resources said Monday that a drug made by Celgene would remain its clinical gold standard for the next three years for underproduction of blood cells that often is a precursor to leukemia.

Celgene’s Vidaza (azacitidine) will remain the clinical gold standard through 2013 for myelodysplastic disorders, the firm said in its report, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (High-Risk): Azacitidine’s Position as Market Leader Will Not Be Usurped. However, Eisai’s Dacogen (decitabine) comes close to displacing Vidaza, though Decision Resources said its lack of strong survival data and other factors would prevent it from doing so.

“Celgene’s Vidaza is the only drug for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes that offers a confirmed benefit in overall survival and the first hypomethylating agent to reach the U.S. and European markets,” Decision Resources analyst Andrew Merron said. “Despite this efficacy achievement, surveyed hematologists indicate that there is still considerable unmet need in improving patient survival.”