Headlines Cardiovascular drug market to top $100 billion by 2008 June 9, 2005 New York -- The worldwide market for prescription cardiovascular medications, which topped $75 billion in 2004, will surpass the $100 billion mark by 2008, according to a new report released today from Kalorama Information. However, growth in the market is uneven -- certain therapeutic classes are on the decline while some niche areas show double- digit annual growth. The new study, The Worldwide Market for Prescription Cardiovascular Drugs, found that generic competition will significantly impact established areas of cardiovascular therapy, such as diuretics, which will record negative growth over the next 5 years. Newer emerging therapeutic classes are driving the market forward and more than making up for the losses. Antiplatelet agents, for example, have shown nearly 20 percent annual growth over the past three years and will continue to post strong revenue growth through 2009 with at least six new drugs in late-stage clinical trials or awaiting approval. "The aging population is driving the cardiovascular market forward as a whole," notes Mary Anne Crandall, the principal author of the study, "But it's the new drugs and, particularly, new combination products that are changing clinical practice and providing the major opportunities for manufacturers."