Nephrology Devices Market

Market Overview

The global nephrology devices market was valued at USD 5.57 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 10.07 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The surge in the geriatric population worldwide and the increase in the prevalence of renal disorders globally stimulate market growth.

Nephrology is the branch of medicine that studies disorders that affect the kidneys. Nephrology devices are devices that are utilized in the treatment of nephrological illnesses. Nephrology is the study of the kidneys. These are utilized in a variety of therapies for the treatment of renal conditions. For instance, a dialysis catheter is a nephrology device used to send and receive blood from a hemodialysis machine, a treatment utilized if a patient suffers from kidney failure. In addition, other medical tools, such as lithotripters, can be utilized to break up kidney stones throughout the treatment process. This is accomplished with the assistance of targeted shock waves. As the global population of older adults has increased faster than in the past, there has been a commensurate increase in the number of patients requiring nephrology devices.

In addition, there has been an uptick in the number of patients diagnosed with nephrological conditions, which has led to a general increase in the cost of medical care in every region of the world. On the other hand, the high price of this equipment prevents the market from expanding. Nevertheless, throughout the projected period, an increase in the awareness connected to the utilization of nephrology devices is anticipated to give profitable prospects for the main players.

Market Dynamics

Global Nephrology Devices Market Drivers:

Surge in Geriatric Population Worldwide

The constantly expanding number of people who are elderly is one of the most significant elements contributing to the expansion of the market for nephrology devices. This may be because people of advanced age have a greatly increased chance of having renal disorders such as chronic kidney diseases and kidney failure compared to younger people. Persons who have reached their senior years are at a greater risk of developing chronic kidney failure, and the need for nephrology equipment is on the rise as the elderly population continues to grow at an alarming rate. As a result, the various factors that have been covered up until this point are factors that are contributing to the growth of the nephrology devices market.

Increase in Prevalence of Renal Disorders Across the Globe

Around the world, renal problems have emerged as a leading reason for patients to be admitted to hospitals. This can be due to the alarming rise in the prevalence of kidney-related conditions. According to a study conducted by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., chronic kidney disease (CKD) is expected to affect around 37 million persons in the United States. As a result, an increase in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease leads to an increased demand for nephrology devices.

In addition, an increase in the prevalence of other renal disorders, such as polycystic kidney diseases, which can lead to kidney failure and need the use of nephrology devices, is propelling the expansion of the market. For example, the Genetics Home Reference estimates that roughly 500,000 persons in the United States have polycystic kidney disease. As a result, the expansion of the global market is being driven by the combined effects of all of these variables.

Global Nephrology Devices Market Restraint:

High Prices of Nephrology Devices

Nephrology equipment is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of renal diseases. However, the cost of these gadgets is somewhat high, which makes the overall offering less accessible to a wider audience. As an illustration, a piece of hemodialysis equipment sold by Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA can be purchased for 32 thousand dollars (USD). As a result, the expensive cost of these machines prevents their widespread adoption worldwide. In addition, there have been several product recalls recently, which inhibited the expansion of the market. Therefore, an increase in such issues is projected to be a barrier to expanding the worldwide nephrology devices market.

Global Nephrology Devices Market Opportunities:

High Growth Potential in Developing Economies

Nephrology device providers can find profitable chances to expand their businesses in economies that are still in the process of developing. The ever-evolving life science industry is a primary factor in expanding the market in developing nations like India and China. In addition, the rise in the cost of medical care seen worldwide is another aspect aiding in expanding this market. In addition, the expansion of the healthcare industry in economies that are still emerging is anticipated to contribute positively to the expansion of the market.

In addition, developing countries in Asia-Pacific and LAMEA have a strong market potential because there is a huge patient base in those regions afflicted with renal problems. Therefore, the elements mentioned above will make available lucrative opportunities to expand markets in developing nations.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global nephrology devices market is bifurcated based on region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the most significant global nephrology devices market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period. During the period covered by this estimate, North America is predicted to maintain the greatest share of the market for nephrology devices. At the moment, the market share that North America holds is the largest proportion. Given the rise in prevalence of a wide range of kidney disorders, such as kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), this should be the case. In addition, the presence of key prominent players in the regional nephrology devices market, such as Baxter International Inc. and Becton, Dickinson, and Company, Inc., is a significant factor contributing to the expansion of the market for nephrology devices. This is one of the elements that is helping to promote the expansion of the nephrology devices market.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.0% over the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region presents lucrative opportunities for the nephrology devices market and is expected to record the greatest growth rate over the forecast period. This region's countries are densely populated, with China and India ranking first and second, respectively. Consequently, the prevalence of a large patient population is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the Asia-Pacific nephrology devices market. In addition, an increase in healthcare expenditures and a rise in awareness regarding the use of nephrology devices are significant factors driving market expansion. In addition, the market for nephrology devices is fuelled by the elevated activity of the major players in this region.

In Asia-Pacific, the presence of a large potential customer base coupled with an increase in the launch of new devices and the use of nephrology devices presents opportunities for the key players operating in the market. Increasing healthcare expenditures in the region is another significant factor driving market expansion. In addition, the increasing prevalence of renal disorders in the region is a major factor driving the market for nephrology devices.

Europe held the largest proportion of the global market for nephrology devices because of factors like the region's stronghold of major manufacturers and the general awareness of the benefits of using nephrology devices to treat renal illnesses. For instance, most major companies, including Dornier MedTech GmbH and B. Braun Melsungen AG, are responsible for the region's easy access to nephrology devices. Additionally, the market is growing due to the rising prevalence of renal illnesses. The large patient base and rising senior population in Europe are additional factors projected to boost market expansion.

Moreover, due to the increased demand for hemodialysis goods and services, several businesses are launching new products and working to obtain regulatory licenses to market dialysis products. Theranova dialyzer, for instance, was introduced by Baxter International Inc. in Europe. The dialyzer's filters effectively filter the patient's blood by closely resembling normal kidney function. Another illustration is the European Commission's (EC) approval of Parsabiv for marketing.

In LAMEA, the market for nephrology devices is in its infancy due to the region's low purchasing power, absence of advanced healthcare facilities, inadequate health expenditure, and inadequate health coverage. The Brazilian healthcare payment system is divided into the government-run Sistema nico de Sade, a large public healthcare purchaser organization. The second layer comprises a small paid health insurance component, while the third layer comprises a small private component that patients pay for themselves. Consequently, this constrains the development of nephrology devices in this region. LAMEA is a developing market, as healthcare expenditures are expected to increase over the forecast period, generating lucrative growth opportunities for market participants.

In addition, the alarming rise in the prevalence of renal disorders is a major contributor to the market expansion in this region. This region has experienced the highest economic development over the past two decades due to economic reforms that have improved living standards, creating numerous opportunities for the research and healthcare sectors.

Segmental Analysis

The global nephrology devices market is bifurcated into device types.

The global nephrology devices market is bifurcated into dialysis instruments, lithotripters, dialysis catheters, and other products based on the device type. 

The Dialysis Instrument segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.6% over the forecast period. Dialysis instruments are used to perform dialysis in patients with compromised renal function. These machines consist of a hemodialyzer, dialysis membrane, and dialysate, which filter wastes and water from the patient's body. The hemodialyzer collects the patient's blood, which flows through the membrane, which is selectively permeable and contains large pores for small solute diffusion. The patient's blood is then bathed in a special solution called dialysate, which maintains a concentration gradient between the patient's blood and the dialysis solution.

Several hemodialysis instruments are available in the market, including the POLYFLUX 6H Dialyzer by Baxter International Inc. and the 2008T BlueStar Haemodialysis Machine by Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA. The demand for these machines has increased in developing countries like India and China as there is an increase in patients requiring hemodialysis. The market growth is attributed to rising awareness of nephrology devices in treating renal disorders and the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The National Kidney Foundation estimates that 37 million American adults have CKD, which is expected to boost demand for nephrology devices, supplementing the global market's growth.

Recent Developments

• November 2023- DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaVita Inc., is presenting the findings of five new research projects at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)'s annual "Kidney Week," which is currently underway in Philadelphia. The studies are focused on driving health equity and reducing hospitalizations, among other outcomes.
• August 2023- Quanta Dialysis Technologies received FDA clearance for an updated hemodialysis device.