EXTON, Pennsylvania, June 5 /PRNewswire/ --

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of TreatmentTrends(TM): European Nephrology Study II. The report is based on the results of an on-line survey completed by 203 clinical nephrologists in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The report focuses on the management of renal anemia, hyperphosphatemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

In the ESA market, Amgen's Aranesp is the market share leader in pre-dialysis and is competing vigorously against Roche's Neorecormon for the top spot in dialysis. An attribute analysis details significant competitive advantages for Aranesp with regard to ease of administration and extended dosing intervals, while performing on par with other ESAs for efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Roche launched Mircera in the EU during the second half of 2007, however, this research suggests that Mircera has not penetrated the ESA market in either the dialysis or pre-dialysis setting. Other newcomer, Shire's Dynepo, also reported stagnant share even though the percent of Nephrologists reporting clinical experience with the product increased over the past six months. Worth noting is the slow uptake of biosimilar ESAs such as Binocrit. While overall share for biosimilars is less than 1% and only German Nephrologists reported use of biosimilars, more than one-third of the respondents expect that the biosimilar agents will be part of their ESA armamentarium in the next six months.

In the phosphate binder market, Shire expanded share of Fosrenol in all five EU markets. 90% of Nephrologists have now tried Fosrenol and use of the product is expected to increase in the next three months, primarily in the dialysis setting. Calcium based binders are still the predominant binders used in pre-dialysis, but with Genzyme's Renagel and Fosrenol taken together, dialysis share for non-calcium agents exceeds 53%. Non-calcium based binders outperform calcium based agents on most product attributes, and among the most important attributes, Renagel holds an advantage over Fosrenol in three out of four. Calcium carbonate, the leading calcium preparation, tends to outperform calcium acetate on most attributes.

With more than one-third of dialysis patients reportedly above the target range for PTH, there is a rather high need for new therapies to treat SHPT. 48% of the Nephrologists surveyed indicated that they have increased their use of Amgen's Mimpara in the past three months. In addition, Mimpara share is projected to increase from 19 % to 22% in the next three months. Abbott's active vitamin D agent, Zemplar, also enjoyed positive gains and 24% of EU Nephrologists agree that Zemplar offers improved morbidity and mortality benefits compared to calcitriol.

About BioTrends Research Group, Inc.

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. (http://www.bio-trends.com) provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact Jennifer Robinson at +1-610-363-3872 or visit http://www.bio-trends.com.

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Jennifer Robinson of BioTrends Research Group, Inc., +1-610-363-3872