Vaccine sales are
increasing and there seems to be no limit as to how high sales
will go. Global revenues from the sale of vaccines, which
was once primarily a commodity market, are expected to reach
nearly $10 billion in 2006, up from $5.4 billion in 2001.
Flu vaccines are
thought to be the fastest growing section of the market, with
sales projected to more than double to $2 billion in the next
five years. This 16 percent compound five-year growth is largely
attributed to the soon-to-be introduced FluMist, a new nasal
spray manufactured by MedImmune and co-marketed by Wyeth.
Along with the
unveiling of FluMist, an increase in childhood vaccinations
may result in a 20 percent growth in the vaccine market in
2003 alone. From 2004 to 2006, growth is expected to stay
constant at about 10 percent annually, according to recent
estimates.
The total vaccine
market is expected to have a 13 percent compound five-year
sales growth. Comparatively, global drug sales reached only
eight percent during a 10-month period in 2002.
The infant section
of the vaccine market had sales of $2.5 billion in 2001, and
currently makes up the largest section of the vaccine market.
However, analysts speculate that this will change as the demand
for flu shots for the elderly, and vaccines for adult tourists,
continues to grow.
Moreover, with
the looming threat of bioterrorism a new business of supplying
smallpox vaccines has emerged in response to fears that the
virus might be used as a weapon.
Four large pharmaceutical
companies -- Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth and Merck &
Co -- currently account for close to 85 percent of vaccine
sales. Several other smaller companies, including PowderJect
Pharmaceuticals, Acambis, Berna Biotech and Chiron Corp are
beginning to become known, however.
Yahoo
News January 7, 2003
