The global market for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Therapeutics is forecast to reach $1.47 billion by the year 2017. The market for IBS therapeutics is presently driven by the high degree of unmet therapeutic needs, high penetration of generic drugs, and under diagnosis of the disease. In the coming years, the market for IBS would be primarily driven by the anticipated launch of novel drugs with improved efficacy, and the ability to provide sustained relief from multiple symptoms associated with this chronic illness.

San Jose, California (PRWEB), August 25, 2011 -- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a recurring Gastrointestinal illness, represents an under-penetrated market with a large number of generic drugs presently in use for treating the multiple symptoms. Owing to lack of proper understanding of the disease etiology, the causes, and misdiagnosis of symptoms, only countable number of drugs is presently available in the market for treating more than one symptom associated with IBS. However, over the years, the market has witnessed several improvements, such as the establishment of well-defined diagnostic criteria, exploring novel therapeutic drug classes, emergence of alternative medicines and therapies, in addition to the growing awareness about the chronic nature of the disease.

According to Global Industry Analysts, the global market for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) therapeutics is presently underserved with a high degree of fragmentation due to the non-availability of a single drug for treating all symptoms associated with this chronic illness. Further, upon considering the diagnostic scenario, nearly 70% of the cases remain undiagnosed while the disease prevalence is quite high. During the initial onset of the disease, patients prefer self-medication based upon their symptoms and rely upon OTC products. The prescription market for IBS comprises of a very few approved drugs for addressing more than one symptom, which show only sub optimal efficacy, and in some cases result in adverse side effects. Physicians prescribe multiple drugs that are not adequate for subsiding the pain, discomfort, and other IBS symptoms. The approval and subsequent release of safe and effective medicines for IBS treatment in the near future is expected to result in substantial growth of the IBS market owing to the premium pricing of these drugs upon release.

The US represents the largest market for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) therapeutics worldwide. Europe represents the second largest market for IBS therapeutics. Rest of World is projected to emerge as the fastest growing market for IBS therapeutics, exhibiting a CAGR of more than 12% over the analysis period.

The high prevalence and anticipated launch of new drugs in the developed markets during and post 2012 is expected to drive the growth of the IBS market in the coming years. Lotronex (2000) and Amitiza (2008) are the only drugs presently approved for the treatment of Diarrhea Predominant IBS (IBS-D) and Constipation Predominant IBS (IBS-C), respectively. Post US FDA approval and market release in February 2000, Lotronex was withdrawn from the US market in December 2000 owing to safety concerns over this drug. Lotronex was re-launched in 2005, although with a warning label, for restricted use in patients in whom the risk to benefit ratio is balanced. The re-launch of the drug despite the risk associated with its use reflects the high unmet need existing in the IBS therapeutics market. Amitiza, approved for the treatment of IBS-C, is associated with adverse events and side effects. The drug's safety profile limits the drug's market size despite its efficacy.

The late stage drug pipeline of Irritable Bowel Syndrome comprises of drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action, and do not belong to the 5HT class of drugs which dominated the drug-development pipeline for the past several years. Despite the efficacy, 5HT class of drugs lack gut-selectivity acting on receptors present in the gut as well as the brain, which is the primary reason for the side effects associated with their use. New drugs in the late stage IBS pipeline, including Linaclotide, Asimadoline, and Dexloxiglumide, exhibit novel modes of action and have demonstrated positive results in terms of safety and efficacy in their respective late stage clinical trials, which makes them promising candidates in the field of IBS treatment. Moreover, each of these is found to be effective in treating a particular IBS-subtype, and not just a single symptom associated with IBS, in respective clinical studies.

Major players profiled in the report include Abbott Laboratories, Edusa Pharmaceuticals, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc., Forest Laboratories Inc., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Ocera Therapeutics Inc., Pharmos Corporation, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tioga Pharmaceuticals Inc., among others.

The research report titled Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Therapeutics: A Global Strategic Business Report by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) market, the disease prevalence, classification, causes, diagnosis, current treatment scenario, select treatments and therapies along with side effects, product approvals in the past, clinical trials, early and late stage pipeline, recent industry activity, product innovations, and profiles of major/niche global market participants. The report provides annual value sales estimates and projections for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Therapeutics market for the years 2009 through 2017 for the following geographic regions - US, Japan, Europe, and Rest of World. Also, a six-year (2003-2008) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective. Global Industry Analysts ©