A new report from GBI Research reviews the current opioid-product market, analyzes the development pipeline, and reviews industry merger, acquisition, and licensing deals to develop a picture of the market through 2018. The increase in opioid use has led to an increase in abuse and consequently to increasing concern from doctors and regulators. As a result, approved drugs are differentiated increasingly by abuse-resistant technologies.

Many companies are working to develop abuse-resistant formulations of extended-release (ER) opioid analgesics, notes GBI Research. Most recent marketing approvals for ER opioids in the US have included risk evaluation and mitigation strategies that require license holders to provide physician training and raise patient awareness of opioid abuse. In many cases, post-marketing studies are required to examine the efficacy of abuse-resistant formulations. Initial post-marketing data reports for Embeda, which was launched in the US in 2009, are positive.

The current opioids market has a broad and highly diversified product profile, reports GBI Research. The developmental pipeline is small, however, and the market is relatively stagnant. Competition among abuse-resistant products is expected to be the driving factor in this market.