Renal Replacement Therapy Market

Market Overview

The renal replacement therapy market size was valued at USD 923.4 million in 2019 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.1%.

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is used to perform normal kidney functions and filter blood. Renal replacement therapy comprises dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis), hemofiltration, and hemodiafiltration, which are commonly regarded as life-extending therapies. If chronic kidney disease is treated with dialysis and a compatible graft is found early and successfully transplanted, the clinical outcome can be very beneficial, with many years of life expectancy. The rising incidence of acute kidney failure, diabetes, and other renal injuries is subsequently surging the demand for renal replacement therapies.

Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) was the first continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) launched in 1977. CAVH was an alternative to hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis, particularly for patients with serious clinical conditions that were incompatible with conventional types of renal replacement. CAVH, however, did not exceed 15 liters every 24 hours despite its strong fluid control, resulting in insufficient blood urea control and inadequate blood purification. Other CRRT modalities include continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF).

Market Dynamics

Rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, increases the risk of developing acute kidney injury. As per the National Diabetes Statistics Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the U.S., around 30.3 million people suffered from diabetes in 2017, accounting for around 9.4% of the total population. As per the data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), in May 2019, around 1.13 billion people suffered from hypertension across the globe and is responsible for 9.4 million deaths every year, further rising the prevalence of acute renal failure. As per a 2009 report in the New England Journal of Medicine, acute kidney failure is associated with a mortality rate of 60%.  

Rising Prevalence of Kidney Failures in Geriatrics

Geriatric population is highly susceptible to diabetes and other chronic conditions, further rising the probability of kidney failure. As per the World Population Review, about 26.7% of the population in Japan is over the age of 65. As per the United Nations, the geriatric population aged above 60 is projected to grow two-fold by 2050 and three-fold by 2100, an increase from 962 million in 2017 to 2.1 billion by 2050 and 3.1 billion by 2100. End-stage renal disease has become a leading concern among geriatric patients, further driving the demand for renal replacement therapy.  

Regional Analysis

Technological Advancements to Drive North America’s Market Growth

North America dominates the renal replacement therapy market on account of increasing demand for RRT procedures, rapid technological advancements, and increasing prevalence of kidney diseases. As per the U.S. Renal Data System, in 2017, around 743,624 patients suffered from kidney failure, of which 468,086 (62.9%) received hemodialysis. As per the data published by the CDC, in the U.S. approximately 29.1 million people suffered from diabetes in 2015, further providing lucrative opportunities for the market growth.  

Governments Investment in Healthcare Facilities to Drive Asia-Pacific’s Market Growth

Asia-Pacific holds the highest share in the renal replacement therapy market on account of increasing healthcare spending and government support. Governments in the region are heavily investing in the healthcare infrastructure to provide better healthcare facilities. The people in the Asia-Pacific have an unhealthy eating habit and sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity, ultimately increasing the blood sugar levels. Rising prevalence of diabetes prevalence is subsequently affecting normal kidney functioning of people, further causing renal failure. RRT system manufacturing companies based in the region, such as Asahi Kasei, are focusing on R&D activities to develop new RRT systems that will provide accurate treatment to patients suffering from acute renal injuries.

Segmental Analysis

Growing Prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury to Drive the System Segment

Growing prevalence of acute kidney injury is driving the demand for RRT systems.  As per the article published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the incidence of acute kidney injury treated with renal replacement therapy is about 200–300 per million populations per year across the globe. Thus, rising incidences of acute kidney injury and other renal diseases drive the segment growth.

Technological advancements such as high volume hemofiltration and high permeability hemofiltration provide an impetus to the segment growth. Precise renal replacement systems are designed to allow the safe and reliable performance of renal replacement therapy procedures. These systems are equipped with a user-friendly interface that enables smooth performance and monitoring. The consumables segment, on the other hand, holds the highest market share on account of the growing application of hemofilter, fluids, charcoal filters, and other consumables in renal replacement therapy procedures.

Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration (CVVH) Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share

The continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) segment held the largest market share in 2018 on account of increasing incidences of fluid overload cases in acute kidney injury patients. As per the article published in the Elsevier journal, congestive heart failure accounts for approximately 5% of all-cause mortality in dialysis patients. CVVH, when integrated with RRT, results in complete removal and replacement of solutes and fluids within the blood and combines principles of diffusion and convection, which is hemofiltration and hemodialysis.  

Impact of covid-19

Patients on renal replacement therapy are expected to experience a shortage of supplies due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) conducted a webinar on the topic with recommendations for hospital management. Other studies and news reports highlight the rising demands and shortage of dialysis supplies in hard-hit COVID-19 areas. 

Recent Developments

• In September 2017, B. Braun Melsungen launched ‘Xevonta’, a next-generation dialyzer in the U.S. market. The system is fitted with advanced membrane technology that aids in removing toxins from patient's blood.
• In September 2017, Baxter International announced the commercial launch of oXiris set used in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). oXiris set removes excessive levels of endotoxin and cytokines from patient’s blood.