How to conduct market research for rare diseases

The opportunity for rare diseases has become significant as manufacturers of orphan drugs are being awarded longer market exclusivity, reduced regulatory fees and tax incentives. However, commercialization can be challenging, because of the size of patient populations, the cost of drugs, and the difficulty in diagnosing conditions. A successful product launch relies on insightful market intelligence to leverage the opportunity.

However, conducting effective research for rare diseases can be challenging. Drawing upon our considerable experience of managing both small and large-scale studies across a number of different diseases, we have created a guide outlining the key steps required to implement an effective market research program. The guide covers:

• Sampling and recruitment
• Ethical considerations and constraints
• Suitable methodologies
• Impactful analysis and outputs