According to Cutting Edge Information, Unmet Market Needs Are the Most Important Factor in Determining Pricing


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - October 29, 2008) - Pharmaceutical and biotech companies report that the unmet needs of the pharmaceutical marketplace are the most important factor when determining the price of a product according to a new study, "Outcomes-Based Pharmaceutical Pricing: Meeting Stakeholder Needs," published by competitive intelligence firm Cutting Edge Information. 33% of respondents listed unmet market needs as the leading contributing factor to price ahead of market entry position and reimbursement environment with 24% and 18% respectively (http://www.pharmapricingstrategy.com). The emphasis on the value of new therapies encourages pharmaceutical companies to seek out disease areas with few drug options.

Rounding out the top seven criteria for determining price were competitor pricing, price controls, health outcomes data, and delivery form. All of these criteria typically factor into the pricing of a new therapy, however respondents listed unmet market needs as the most crucial determinant.

"Pricing is one of the most important activities that pharmaceutical companies must consider during a drug's development," said Elio Evangelista, project lead of the study. "It's not surprising that companies use the therapeutic area as a barometer for pricing their own product. Choosing the right price can have a profound impact on the product's success and longevity."

The 124-page report provides an in-depth analysis of pharmaceutical pricing planning, processes, decision making and resources. Based on these findings and surveyed companies' best practices, CEI analysts offer action points to guide companies to set the right prices and optimize their profits.

The report contains 400+ metrics. Data focus on pricing teams' structures; phase-by-phase pricing processes and methodology; and spending and staffing resources. Metrics include the following:

--  Resource support, innovative versus me-too drugs
    
--  Cross-functional involvement in pricing decisions
    
--  Share of companies with dedicated pricing departments
    
--  Lifecycle entry and exit points for functions involved in the pricing
    process
    
--  2008 pricing budgets and headcounts, by company size
    
--  2008 headcounts broken down by geographic market and by company size
    

Contact Information: For more information, contact: Elio Evangelista 919-433-0214 For media inquiries, contact: Lucas Einstein marketing specialist 919-433-0207