Autoimmune Therapeutics Market

Market Overview

The autoimmune therapeutics market size was valued at USD 119,252.7 million in 2019 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.2%.

Autoimmune diseases involve unusually low activity or inadequate immune system functioning, where the immune system attacks the tissues and cells of the body. Autoimmune diseases reduce the ability of the body to combat foreign agents, causing infectious disease vulnerability. The condition is more prevalent in women than men, and in the U.S. it is also a significant cause of morbidity. As per the National Institute of Health, in the U.S., autoimmune disease affects around 50 million people. Some examples of autoimmune diseases include Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorder, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Market Dynamics

Surging Prevalence of Autoimmune Disease and Increasing Treatment Costs

As per the National Stem Cell Foundation, autoimmune diseases affect about 4% of the world’s population and comprise over 80 different disease conditions. As per the U.S. National Library for Medicines and National Institute of Health, about 3.3 million patients received pharmacological treatment for autoimmune diseases, with an average cost of therapy being USD 12,545 per year. The estimated annual therapy cost for autoimmune therapy continues to increase at a higher rate during the forecast period and is predicted to hit an approximate value of USD 13,400 by 2023.  

Advancement in Screening and Diagnosis Procedures and Adoption of Advanced Therapeutics

Technological advancements and increasing diagnostic laboratory automation are bolstering the adoption rate of autoimmune disease diagnosis. Clinicians are adopting advanced technology to conduct multiple tests at the same time with faster and more precise diagnostic results. Slow turnaround time associated with the usage of conventional disease diagnostic techniques and the presence of fewer standardized tests, for more than 80 autoimmune disease types, are compelling the laboratories to shift towards automation of diagnostic laboratories.

The governments and organizations, such as the Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence, Cooperative Study Group for Autoimmune Disease Prevention, and North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium, are continuously working to raise awareness regarding the proper diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. A survey conducted in 2015 by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. (AARDA) indicates that an American patient's ability to detect an autoimmune disorder has improved by 10% (in comparison to the last survey conducted).

Segmental Analysis

Extensive Use of NSAIDS to Treat Rheumatic Diseases to Drive the Segment Growth

Based on drug class, the market is segmented into corticosteroids, NSAIDs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), and monoclonal antibodies. The NSAIDs segment holds the largest market share on account of its extensive utilization for symptomatic treatment of rheumatic diseases. Higher availability, positive results, and low prices bolster the segment growth. NSAIDs have been witnessing a significant surge in demand in emerging economies; however, they are slowly gaining traction in developed countries as new, effective products are being launched, such as Celecoxib.

The disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), on the other hand, are now used as the gold standard for mild to severe rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Biologic drugs are more effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. In contrast, traditional DMARDs and NSAIDs merely offer symptomatic relief, further driving the demand for biologics in autoimmune therapeutic. 

Surging Prevalence of Arthritis and Wide Availability of Advanced Therapeutics Drives the Segment Growth

Based on disease type, the market is divided into rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. The rheumatic disease segment held the highest market share in 2017 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period on account of the surging prevalence of arthritis and the wide availability of advanced therapeutics for the treatment of rheumatic disease.  As per the Arthritis Foundation, in the U.S., around 64% of the population within the age group of 65 suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from this, increasing awareness regarding disease therapies and rising healthcare expenditure in developed regions drives the segment growth.

Shifting Consumer Preference Towards Online Drug Purchasing Bolsters the Online Pharmacy Segment Growth

Based on the distribution channel, the market is divided into hospital and clinics, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacy. The online pharmacy segment is projected to witness considerable growth on account of shifting consumer preference towards online drug purchasing. Apart from this, increasing awareness about online pharmacy and rising number of internet users drives the segment growth. The retail pharmacies segment, on the other hand, is projected to dominate the market on account of the presence of hospitals and clinics adopting autoimmune therapies.

Impact of covid-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the market players to radically rethink their strategies and the way they operate their businesses. The impact of COVID-19 can be traced in shortage of supply and decline in production of drug products owing to shifting focus of market players on therapeutics for novel coronavirus. The patients receiving autoimmune drug therapy are prone to SARS-CoV-2 infections; however, the suspension of ongoing therapy is contraindicated to prevent flares of disease, and the consequent increase in the risk of infection. The autoimmune therapeutics market is currently facing shortfall due to the COVID-19; however, the market is projected to gain momentum post-COVID-19.

Regional Analysis

Government Initiatives to Address the High Therapeutic Cost Drives North America’s Market Growth

North America holds the largest market share in the autoimmune therapeutics market as the region houses a large patient base suffering from various autoimmune diseases. As per the statistics reported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), in the U.S. alone, about 23.5 million people suffer from autoimmune disease, further prompting the dire need for advanced treatment procedures and devices. The regional market’s most prominent driver is the rising initiative to spread awareness about autoimmune diseases. For instance, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is actively working on spreading awareness about autoimmune diseases.

In the U.S., increased accessibility to medical insurance and government initiatives drives the market growth. High cost of therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases has compelled governments and private entities to introduce financial assistance and reimbursements programs. For instance, the U.S. government’s initiative the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, has been a significant breakthrough.  

Favorable Regulatory Policies for Newer Therapeutics Drive Asia-Pacific’s Autoimmune Therapeutics Market

Asia-Pacific is projected to exhibit lucrative growth in the autoimmune therapeutics market on account of rapidly improving health services, rising patient awareness of early treatment of autoimmune diseases, and favorable regulatory policies for newer therapeutics, such as biosimilar. For instance, in January 2018, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launched a biosimilar for Humira in the Indian market. The introduction of a new biosimilar in the near future is projected to create a significant shift in prescription patterns for autoimmune therapeutics.

Recent Developments

• On July 23, 2019, the U.S.FDA approved a biosimilar drug developed by Pfizer, Ruxience (rituximab-pvvr), for certain cancers and autoimmune disorders
• In December 2019, GSK announced positive results for phase III clinical studies of Benlysta (belimumab) indicated for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disorder attacking healthy tissues

Autoimmune Therapeutics Market Segmentation

By Drug Class

• NSAIDs
• Corticosteroids
• Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS)
• Monoclonal Antibodies

By Disease Type

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Type 1 Diabetes

By Distribution Channel

• Hospitals and Clinics
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• The Middle East and Africa