Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment Market

Market Overview

The global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market size was valued at USD 948.7 million in 2018.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder possessing an autosomal recessive heredity genetic profile. SMA is one of the fatal diseases with an incidence rate of 1 per 6,000 birth to 1 per 10,000 births. The heterozygote carrier frequency of SMA is about 1 in every 40 to 60 people across the globe. It severely affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord due to the homozygous mutation of the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN₁). These motor neurons bring about the transfer of chemical and electrical charge to and fro from the voluntary muscles, present all over the body. Thereby, the affected motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord cause difficulty in performing several physical activities, including swallowing, crawling, and walking. SMA is a difficult disorder to diagnose, depending upon both histological and electrophysiological evidence of muscle denervation with uncertain results of treatment.

Market Dynamics

Following Are the Clinical Features of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Disease

Globally, the rising prevalence of SMA can be attributed to the carrier frequency of defective DNA with a deleted SMN₁ gene, the unavailability of treatment options,  and lack of awareness. However, rapid technological advancements, rising awareness, reimbursement scenarios, and government initiatives are driving the spinal muscular atrophy treatment market.  The treatment options for SMA are limited, and so is the adoption rate across the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, which is further hampering the market growth to some extent. However, the presence of a plethora of drugs and other treatment options in the clinical pipeline is expected to act as the backbone for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Regionally, the global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America and the Middle East & Africa.

North America: Booming Market for SMA Treatment

North America is dominating the global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market and will continue the same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing awareness regarding the disease, rising government initiatives and attractive reimbursement policies, robust healthcare infrastructure, and increasing expenditure power. The region is also backed with the presence of leading players and insurance companies that are actively working to aid the people suffering from spinal muscular atrophy. For instance, Biogen offers reimbursement for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy using Spinraza, an FDA approved drug, which costs around USD 4 million. SMA 360^o by Biogen is a program that offers individualized and comprehensive support to the patients and their families. It also offers education, logistical assistance, financial assistance, and insurance benefits investigation under the program. Similarly, in the region, the government has established a Rare Disease Reimbursement Manager (RDRM) program for providing reimbursement for the Spinraza treatment.

Clinical Pipeline Drugs to Cater to the European Market Growth

Europe is expected to experience significant growth in the spinal muscular atrophy treatment market on account of the increasing number of treatments, drugs, and gene therapies in the clinical pipeline. Spinraza, an SMA treatment drug by Biogen, was approved and marketed in 2016. Similarly, Zolgensma, gene therapy by Avexis, was approved in May 2019. The cost of gene therapy is relatively high to be affordable for low to middle-income families. To attend to the situation, the government is offering umpteen reimbursement policies to the patients and is also working to reduce the cost of gene therapy drugs.

Asia Pacific: Revolutionizing the SMA Disease Management

The spinal muscular atrophy treatment market in India, China, South Korea, Australia, and Japan, is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. Cumulatively, the market in these 5 countries is expected to reach USD 2,959.6 million in 2029 from USD 309.4 million in 2018. This can be attributed to the rising approval activities from the governments. In June 2017, Japan was the first to approve Spinraza for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. In line with this, South Korea, China, and Australia also approved Spinraza for the treatment as it has a promising impact depicting meaningful improvements in motor functions and increasing survival rare in children. Similarly, the launch of Roche’s Risdiplam, an SMN₂ splicing modifier, is expected to boost market growth to some extent.

Segmental Analysis

The global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market is segmented into SMA type, treatment, route of administration, and region.

By SMA type, the global market is segmented into severe (type I, severe SMA or WerdnigHoffmann disease), intermediate (type II or chronic SMA), mild (type III, juvenile SMA or Kugelberg-Welander disease), and type IV (adult SMA). Severe or type I SMA is the most common type of spinal muscular atrophy disease and affects the children aged up to 6 months. The patient loses the ability to sit, and the life expectancy is less than 2 years. Rising prevalence of Type I SMA, ongoing R&D activities, and a large number of drugs in the clinical pipeline stage is expected to drive the segment growth. Globally, about half of the SMA patients suffer from Type I, which is subsequently increasing the demand for treatment therapies, such as gene therapy. In June 2019, Zolgensma/AVXS-101 developed by Avexis/Novartis was approved by the FDA for patients less than 2 years of age. Similarly, Branaplam, developed by Novartis, is in phase II clinical trial for the treatment of Type I SMA.

Intermediate SMA or Type II affects the patients aged around 6 to 18 months. Out of all the patients with type II SMA, around 70% do not have deep tendon reflexes, which has increased the demand for technologically advanced treatment options and specialized medical equipment. In June 2019, Reldesemtiv by Cytokinetics/Astellas was in phase II clinical trial. Currently, SRK-015 (Topaz) by Scholar Rock is also in phase II clinical trial.

By treatment, the global spinal muscular atrophy treatment market is segmented into gene therapy and drugs. The gene therapy segment is grabbing the highest share in the spinal muscular atrophy treatment market. The treatment is slightly costlier but more effective, compared to other drug treatment options that cost over USD 750,000 every year. In May 2019, Novartis received approval for Zolgensma, gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, and is expected to cost around USD 2.1 million per person.