Liver Cirrhosis Market

Chronic liver disease is responsible for over 1.4m deaths annually (WHO, World Health Report 2004) and in the US is among the top ten disease related causes of death (CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, 2004). Liver fibrosis, which is an outcome of persistent hepatic inflammation, if left unmanaged has serious long-term consequences for patient morbidity and mortality. There were 300,000 hospitizations for Chronic Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis in 1987. This market is estimated to be $3.0 billion.

To date there are no approved antifibrotic agents for the management of fibrosis. Treatment is more focused on dealing with underlying conditions such as the use of antivirals for HBV/HCV and lifestyle changes for metabolic disorders. There is much debate regarding disease reversibility, optimum point of intervention and diagnostic strategy.