Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics Market

Market Overview

The global anti-inflammatory therapeutics market size was valued at USD 101.21 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 141.58 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Anti-inflammatory therapeutics help ease acute and chronic pain, including migraines and headaches, rheumatic arthritis, sprains, and menstrual pain. These therapeutics provide faster relief as compared to other drugs. Moreover, they are capable of lowering the levels of prostaglandins and the chemicals responsible for inflammation, as well as reducing pain and swelling. The key elements driving the growth of the global anti-inflammatory market include an alarming increase in the prevalence of autoimmune and respiratory conditions, new drugs in the pipeline, and a surge in the adoption of anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, the demand for anti-inflammatory drugs has been increasing notably, owing to the emergence of anti-inflammatory biologics that are more targeted, effective, and with lesser side effects than conventional drugs.

Market Dynamics

Global Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics Market Drivers

Rising Incidents of Autoimmune and Respiratory Conditions

A surge in chronic anti-inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has increased the need for anti-inflammatory therapeutics globally. This is attributed to the fact that anti-inflammatory drugs are majorly used to treat various conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, asthma, COPD, anti-inflammatory bowel disease, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory diseases. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen have been proven to be effective in suppressing the inflammation caused by these diseases.

According to the findings of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network, more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis. On a global scale, almost 1% of the population is diagnosed with this disorder. As the treatment and cure for this autoimmune disease are still unknown, the only possible way to ease the pain is to intake anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Furthermore, the prevalence of asthma is increasing at an alarming rate, affecting both children and adults. Asthma triggers inflammation, which makes the airways more sensitive, causing asthma attacks. Thus, anti-inflammatory medications serve as an ideal treatment option for individuals with asthma, as they help to stop the process that leads to asthma attacks by reducing inflammation, swelling, and mucus production in the airways of a person with asthma.

New Drug Pipelines

Companies are focusing on developing newer anti-inflammatory drugs to strengthen their market presence. Thus, multiple drugs are in various phases of development to treat a range of chronic diseases and are expected to enter the market in the near future. These drugs exhibit higher efficacy and lesser side effects than the existing product range. Companies such as Ablynx, Astellas Pharma, Sanofi, Amgen, I-MAB Biopharma, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Kymera Therapeutics, and UCB are further involved in developing therapies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Global Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics Market Restraint

Side Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain partly by reducing inflammation. The painkilling action of these drugs not only reduces the direct effect of inflammation on pain–nerve stimulation and sensitivity but also reduces the indirect effect of anti-inflammatory heat and swelling in knees and pain in joints. However, consuming anti-inflammatory drugs can have side effects, which has been a prime concern over the years. The side effects associated with them are fluid retention, less blood flow in the kidney, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

In addition, their consumption leads to ulcers in the gut, known as peptic ulcers. For instance, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) each year result in over 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths in the U.S., primarily due to bleeding stomach ulcers. Thus, side effects associated with anti-inflammatory drugs have adversely affected their sale, which, in turn, has hampered the growth of the global market.

Global Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics Market Opportunities

Development of Biosimilars for Existing Drugs

An increase in research and development activities by key players focused on anti-inflammatory drugs and a rise in FDA approvals are expected to drive market growth. Moreover, patented anti-inflammatory drugs are likely to face patent expiry issues, thus boosting the market for biosimilar drugs. This allows competitors to capture the market by releasing biosimilar drugs anticipating the growth of the anti-inflammatory therapeutics market.

Regional Analysis

The global anti-inflammatory therapeutics market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the largest shareholder in the anti-inflammatory therapeutic market and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 3.2% over the forecast period. This is due to a significant increase in the geriatric population. The U.S. dominated the North American market and is anticipated to continue during the forecast period, which is attributed to the increase in the number of people suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis, peptic ulcers, and asthma coupled with the rise in the geriatric population. The major trend in North America is continuous R&D toward developing innovative anti-inflammatory therapeutics drugs. Furthermore, this region's prevalence of autoimmune and anti-inflammatory diseases is increasing. In addition, an increase in healthcare expenditure, a surge in the number of individuals suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, a large number of drugs in the pipeline, and strong patent protection coupled with a high entry barrier for generics notably contribute toward the market growth.

Europe is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6%, generating USD 10,517 million during the forecast period. The U.K. accounted for a majority share of the market and is anticipated to continue the same trend during the forecast period. A rise in awareness among patients in European countries regarding the availability of clinical nutrition is expected to boost market growth. In addition, increasing incidents of bone and joint disorders have increased government support and funding of projects for R&D, fueling the market growth in this region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9.6% of men and 18.0% of women aged over 60 years suffer from symptomatic osteoarthritis. Around 80% of those with osteoarthritis have limitations in movement, and 25% cannot perform their major daily activities. Furthermore, factors such as the high prevalence of anti-inflammatory diseases, increase in demand for effective medicines, high disposable income, and rise in disease awareness due to public and private initiatives are driving the growth of the European anti-inflammatory therapeutics market.

Asia-Pacific's growth is supplemented by an increase in demand for healthcare infrastructure, a rise in the number of hospitals, the developing R&D sector, the rise in healthcare reforms, and technological advancements in the healthcare field. Branded generics are capturing the market with the help of higher efficiency of treatment, aggressive promotion, and marketing strategies. The regulatory scenario is further improving through adopting regulations such as International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, and product and process patents provisions. This is expected to contribute toward the market's growth in the region. In addition, an increase in government initiatives for the improvement of the healthcare sector and a surge in the focus of leading manufacturers on expanding their geographic presence in emerging Asia-Pacific countries to capture high growth opportunities contribute toward the market growth.

LAMEA exhibits high growth potential due to an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune and respiratory conditions, new drugs in the pipeline, and surge adoption of anti-inflammatory drugs. LAMEA faces challenges in the accessibility and affordability of medicines. Brazil accounted for a significant share in the LAMEA region and is anticipated to continue the same during the forecast period, owing to demographic changes such as an increase in the prevalence of chronic disorders and a rise in lifestyle-related complications. Factors such as a rapid increase in population; an increase in healthcare spending; and a rise in the incidence of chronic, lifestyle, respiratory, and infectious diseases drive the market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global anti-inflammatory therapeutics market is segmented by drug class and indication.

Based on drug class, the global market is classified into biologics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids.

The biologics segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. Biologics are derived from living sources such as humans, animals, and microorganisms. These drugs are generally prepared from recombinant DNA technology. Biologics class includes monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins used in treating various autoimmune, anti-inflammatory, and oncology diseases. These drugs are either used alone or in combination with other chemical drugs. The cost of biologic treatments is significantly high, and these biologics fall under the current anti-inflammatory drugs category.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of powerful analgesics distinguished by their nonsteroidal chemical structure. NSAIDs are medications used regularly to treat arthritis and intermittently for fever, pain, and headache. They are most commonly used systemically, usually as an oral formulation, and can also be used as a suppository or administered by intramuscular injection. Topical gels and creams containing NSAIDs may be applied to sports injuries, painful joints, and, most recently, for treating solar (actinic) keratoses. These drugs are frequently prescribed to reduce pain caused due to inflammation. NSAIDs medication are considered the first line of treatment in pain management due to three fundamental properties, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory.

Corticosteroids treat rheumatology and respiratory diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among corticosteroids, topical steroids are used for dermatology diseases. Injectable corticosteroids are gaining high traction for treating anti-inflammatory conditions of joints, muscles, and soft tissue. Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treats asthma and COPD in combination with bronchodilator medicines. However, due to adverse effects such as corticosteroid toxicity, doctors prescribe these in lower doses.

Based on indication, the global market is fragmented into arthritis, respiratory diseases, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, anti-inflammatory bowel disease, and other anti-inflammatory diseases.

The arthritis segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. Arthritis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of joints, and about 200 types of arthritis conditions are prevalent across the globe. Commonly, all kinds of arthritis cause painful joints, swollen knees, and muscle weakness. Arthritis can be classified depending on the affected body part. Arthritis can be classified into soft tissue musculoskeletal pain, degenerative or mechanical arthritis, anti-inflammatory arthritis, metabolic arthritis, and infectious arthritis. The arthritis treatment majorly focuses on reducing the symptoms and improving the functionality of the joints affected. Various anti-inflammatory therapeutics used in the treatment of arthritis are NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory biologics.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes rashes and crumbling nails. Some patients with psoriasis develop inflammation symptoms called psoriatic arthritis. This is an autoimmune disease wherein the body’s immunity acts against itself, causing inflammation. Different types of psoriatic arthritis include symmetric psoriatic arthritis, asymmetric psoriatic arthritis, distal psoriatic arthritis, and arthritis mutilans. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis affects both sides of the body simultaneously, whereas asymmetric psoriatic arthritis affects a single side of the body. Distal psoriatic arthritis causes stiffness and inflammation of fingers and toes. The most severe form of psoriatic arthritis is Arthritis mutilans which causes stiffness and inflammation of fingers and toes and can destroy them over time.

Respiratory diseases affect the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. Respiratory infections are characterized by inflammation arising from a high neutrophil granulocyte count. Some respiratory conditions accompanied by inflammation are airway inflammation, asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and cystic fibrosis. Among all the anti-inflammatory respiratory diseases, asthma and COPD are highly prevalent globally. All three categories of anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e., biologics, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids, are used to treat anti-Inflammatory respiratory conditions.

Recent Developments

• June 2022- Pfizer and Roivant Sciences formed a company to develop anti-inflammatory drugs. The new biotech, Priovant Therapeutics, will advance two Pfizer treatments for autoimmune conditions. Pfizer will own 25% of Priovant.
• June 2021- GlaxoSmithKline plc and iTeos Therapeutics announced an agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize EOS-448, an anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody, as a potential treatment for patients with cancer.