The geographic atrophy market was valued at USD 24.10 Billion in 2024, driven by the increasing prevalence of geographic atrophy and the rising regulatory approval of new therapeutic agents across the 8 major markets. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period of 2025-2034, with the values likely to reach USD 41.95 Billion by 2034.
Geographic Atrophy Market Overview
Geographic atrophy (GA) is the atrophic late form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and causes the destruction of retinal cells responsible for vision. It is reported to affect over 1 million individuals in the United States and around 5 million individuals globally. This progressive condition is predominantly found in older adults. Thus, as the aging population increases, the demand for the geographic atrophy market is expected to witness a surge.
The market is influenced by the growing awareness regarding this severe eye disease and its impact on vision. This is prompting more patients to seek early diagnosis and treatment. The growth in new drug approvals by regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EMA is also anticipated to aid in the market expansion. Moreover, factors such as significant investment in research and development in the retinal ophthalmology field, increased strategic partnerships among biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and advancements in diagnostic tools are expected to drive market growth.
Geographic Atrophy Market Growth Drivers
Increasing Prevalence of Geographic Atrophy Drives Market Growth
Recent data suggests that 1 out of 5 individuals aged 85 or more are affected by geographic atrophy in at least one eye. Bilateral geographic atrophy is reported to result in severe visual impairment, with a substantial burden on patients as well as healthcare providers. Although the prevalence and incidence of this eye disease varies across different regions, it is estimated that the highest burden of geographic atrophy is found in European ancestry. The increasing aging population is one of the primary drivers of the growing cases of this retinal disorder, which is anticipated to bolster market growth in the coming years.
Rise in Drug Approvals to Meet Rising Geographic Atrophy Market Demand
In February 2023, global biopharma company Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to its drug SYFOVRE™ (pegcetacoplan injection) indicated for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The regulatory approval, based on the positive results from the Phase 3 OAKS and DERBY clinical studies, marked a milestone in the field of retinal ophthalmology, with SYFOVRE being the first FDA-cleared treatment for geographic atrophy. The rise in such regulatory approvals is set to fuel the market growth.
Geographic Atrophy Market Trends
The market is witnessing several trends and developments to improve the current scenario. Some of the notable trends are as follows:
Growth in Strategic Partnerships
Many pharmaceutical companies are engaging in collaborations and acquisitions to accelerate the development of new treatments for retinal diseases including geographic atrophy. For instance, in December 2023, Japan-based Astellas Pharma Inc. completed the acquisition of United States biopharmaceutical company IVERIC Bio, Inc. to expand its portfolio in the ophthalmology disease segment.
Improvements in Diagnostic Technologies
The market is positively influenced by the improvements in diagnostic technologies, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). The adoption of such advanced diagnostic tools is resulting in early detection and better monitoring of the disease, which is expected to boost the geographic atrophy market value._x000D_
Increased Investment in Research and Development
One of the major market trends is the growing R&D funding by pharmaceutical companies which is aimed at discovering and developing new treatments for geographic atrophy. Such substantial investments are helping in better understanding the disease and bringing effective therapies to the market._x000D_
Advancements in Drug Development
The market is benefitting from the development of new therapeutic agents that are reaching late-stage clinical trials. These drugs are designed to target the underlying mechanism of this severe retinal disease and show the potential for better management of the condition. The rising focus on biologics and gene therapy solutions to treat geographic atrophy is projected to aid market expansion.
Geographic Atrophy Market Segmentation
The EMR’s report titled “Geographic Atrophy Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Age Group
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