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Diseases and
disorders of the Central Nervous System account for more hospitalizations,
more long-term care, and more chronic suffering than nearly all other
disorders combined (JAMA, 2001). The prevalence of CNS disease is
expected to increase dramatically as the number of Americans over
the age of 65 doubles by 2030, as the incidence rates for many of
these disorders increase with age. The major classes of CNS/neurological
diseases and disorders include:
- Neurodegenerative
diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis)
- Stroke, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Aneurysms
- Pain and Migraine
- Cancer
- Epilepsy and Seizure
- Traumatic injury (brain and spine)
- Memory and Cognition
- Psychological and behavioral disorders (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADD,
obesity, and sleep)
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We believe the
time is right for our investment focus based on the following attributes
of the Neurosciences:
- CNS diseases
and disorders represent the largest and fastest growing area of
unmet medical need: 1.5 billion people worldwide, including over
100 million people in the U.S., suffer from CNS diseases or disorders.
- CNS diseases
and disorders generate more in total direct cost (healthcare related)
and indirect cost (income) than any other therapeutic area: an
estimated $1.0 trillion annually worldwide and over $350 billion
annually in the U.S.
- Neuroscience
holds the greatest potential for major discoveries and commercial
developments during the next ten years: the success of the Decade
of the Brain research and the Human Genome Project.
- Research
and discovery have begun to mitigate many of the traditional challenges
facing CNS therapies, and new imaging technologies, screening
tools and pharmacogenomics have the potential to deliver tailored
solutions and overcome other obstacles.
- Neuroscience
has emerged as one of the largest and fastest growing areas of
research and development funding both in terms of public NIH grants
and private pharmaceutical company spending.
- Drugs for
CNS indications are the largest and fastest growing segment of
the worldwide pharmaceutical market: 2000 revenues of $50 billion,
growing at 12% per year.
- Devices
and diagnostic technologies employed in neurology, neurosurgery
and interventional neuroradiology represent a worldwide market
in excess of $2 billion.
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