U.S. to command more than 90% of opioid-induced constipation market by 2017

LONDON — The global market for drugs to treat constipation resulting from use of opioid painkillers will increase more than tenfold by 2017, according to new research.

The research report, by London-based GlobalData, found that the opioid-induced constipation market would grow from 2012's $144.42 million to $1.98 billion by 2017. The market, according to the group, remains "untapped," with only two drugs approved for OIC in the European Union and United States. The growth comes from the upcoming introduction of several new drugs, including AstraZeneca's naloxegol, Cubist's bevenopran and Salix's Relistor (methylnatrexone).

"OIC remains a hugely untapped market with little competition among players in the pharmaceutical arena, especially as the first pharmacological treatment only became licensed in 2008," GlobalData analyst Claire Gibson said.

Most of the sales have come from the European Union, which contributed about $75.4 million in 2012, of which $41.5 million came from Germany. But by 2017, the United States will command more than 90% of the market, with sales of $1.79 billion.