Alopecia Market Assessment, By Type [Alopecia Areata, Cicatricial Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Alopecia Totalis, Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Universalis, Others], By Gender [Male, Female], By Treatment [Pharmaceuticals, Devices, Platelet-Rich Plasma T

Alopecia Market Assessment, By Type [Alopecia Areata, Cicatricial Alopecia, Traction Alopecia, Alopecia Totalis, Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Universalis, Others], By Gender [Male, Female], By Treatment [Pharmaceuticals, Devices, Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy], By Sales [Prescription, Over the Counter], By Distribution Channel [Homecare Settings, Dermatology Clinics], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global arthritis market is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.00% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 60.03 billion in 2023 to USD 95.68 billion in 2031. The arthritis market is greatly influenced by future growth due to the growing disease burden of arthritis coupled with the aging population and novel drug development and approval activities in the field.

Arthritis can be recognized as inflammation of joints. Various types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, lupus, and other types of arthritis. The treatment options for arthritis range from analgesics to surgery, depending on the etiology and severity of the patient’s condition. The treatment market for arthritis is anticipated to grow at a notable pace owing to the side effects of a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise among adults coupled with enhanced emphasis on early diagnoses. As awareness is increasing among common people about arthritis as an impact of initiatives driven by healthcare organizations, there is a surge towards treatment expense, further driving the market growth. The market lies in a high growth quarter; however, the major challenges include side effects associated with analgesics used for arthritis and longer duration of treatment.

Additionally, advancements in biologics addressing the various types of arthritis, including autoimmune-caused arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, are anticipated to revolutionize the market in the future. For instance, in September 2024, UCB Biopharma SRL announced receipt of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its biologic drug BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx). BIMZELX is meant for three categories of patients: adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation, and adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It is the first approved treatment for these three indications, designed to selectively inhibit two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes, interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F).

Rising Prevalence of Arthritis to Boost Market Demand

The global prevalence of arthritis is gradually increasing, thus enhancing the demand for arthritic treatments. With a significant increase in the global population, the incidence of arthritis, primarily osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, continues to rise, leading to a higher number of patients requiring effective therapies. This is compounded by lifestyle-related issues, such as obesity, which increases the risk of arthritis. Healthcare professionals focus more on advanced treatment methods, including biologics, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and other advanced therapies like gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Investments and research funding have also picked up, with the number of treatments rising rapidly, which is a typical indicator of market growth in arthritis. There is also rising awareness about the disease and its consequences on quality of life, which leads to early diagnosis and proactive management, fueling market growth. For instance, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 3.7 million (15%) people in Australia are estimated to be living with arthritis. Similarly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21.2% of adults (i.e., 53.2 million) in the United States suffer from arthritis.

Advancements in Research to Tackle Arthritis Drives the Market

Advances in research in dealing with arthritis drive the market as it facilitates the development of innovative therapies and treatment modalities. Advanced research is opening rather complex biological mechanisms that lie behind the pathogenesis of arthritis. As a result, new targets have emerged, and novel biologics and DMARDs have been developed through innovations for a better effectiveness profile with minimal adverse effects than traditional drugs. Further, the developments of regenerative medicine for the future with stem cell therapies and tissue engineering hold vast promise in terms of relief and even cures for severe conditions. Understanding genetics and personalized medicine ensures treatment is increasingly targeted to individual patient profiles, improving outcomes and adherence. When stakeholders invest heavily in research and development, the pipeline of innovative therapies for arthritis attracts market interest and enables growth in the market.

For instance, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 provides USD 10 million for a new peer-reviewed arthritis research program (ATRP) managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The goal of the program is to reduce the detrimental impact of arthritis on people in the United States.

Osteoarthritis Segment to Dominate the Market

The Osteoarthritis segment is anticipated to dominate the arthritis market, owing to its overall high prevalence and high prevalence among the elderly. Among the most common types of arthritis, osteoarthritis strikes millions around the world, so healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies focus primarily on this type. Lifestyle factors such as obesity have caused a sharp surge in cases of osteoarthritis, thereby forcing demand for effective treatment options. Furthermore, patients with osteoarthritis who are going through life-changing disabilities are the main driving force for the market. Initiatives from market players to address osteoarthritis are further boosting the market. In September 2024, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Israel-based Moebius Medical Limited announced that the USFDA had granted Fast Track designation (FTD) to MM-II (Large Liposomes of DPPC and DMPC) for treating osteoarthritis knee pain. Plans for confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trials for MMII are currently in progress. The FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of therapies intended to treat serious conditions and address unmet medical needs, potentially bringing important new medicines to patients earlier. Companies whose investigational products are granted FTD are eligible for more frequent interactions with the FDA during clinical development and potentially accelerated approval and/or priority review, among other benefits.

North America Dominates the Arthritis Market

North America currently dominates the arthritis market, primarily due to its superior healthcare infrastructural standards, higher prevalence of arthritis, and significant healthcare expenses. It has a large geriatric population, which is highly prone to arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The increased incidence prompts requirements for better treatment options and management plans within this age segment. In addition, there are pharmaceutical majors and research institutes from the United States that are innovating in arthritis therapies, such as biologics and personalized medicine. The regulatory structure also supports ease in drug approval, and reimbursement mechanisms already exist. In addition, increased awareness of the disease coupled with decreased quality of life due to arthritis triggers positive and proactive healthcare measures, along with earlier diagnosis and consequently increased treatment. For instance, according to the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, 1 in 5 adults in the United States have some form of arthritis. While there are estimated to be more than 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form, affecting 32.5 million adults in the United States. The projected number of arthritis patients in the United States is 78 million by 2040.

Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)

Advances in biologics are key drivers in the arthritic market since the market players are focused on developing therapies that target specific mechanisms of disease. Advanced therapies, like monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins, better manage diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, thus improving the outcomes of patients and their quality of life. As the number of new biologic agents continues to become well-indexed in ongoing research, healthcare providers will adopt these therapies even more aggressively. For instance, in October 2023, Novartis AG received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its drug Cosentyx (secukinumab), which is intended to treat moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults. Cosentyx is the first fully human biologic that specifically targets and blocks interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an important cytokine involved in the inflammation of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The market for arthritis treatments is being dominated by global players like Eli Lilly and Company, Viatris Inc., and others. The market is quite vast with various generic and branded drugs, which makes the market distributed among a large number of small players and a bunch of global players. Notable activities in the market include mutual business agreements, and divestment to grow alternate business units.

In September 2024, Eli Lilly and Company and EVA Pharma agreed to expand access to baricitinib for an estimated 20,000 people in 49 low- to middle-income countries in Africa by 2030. Baricitinib is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and COVID-19. EVA Pharma's high-containment facility will start selling locally manufactured baricitinib to various African countries by 2026. This collaboration leverages EVA's pan-African reach and strong local manufacturing capabilities that meet global standards, allowing Lilly to reach more people in low- to middle-income countries.

In April 2024, Crescent Innovations, Inc. announced the sale of its Poly-gamma-glutamic Acid (PgGA) technology, which is related to osteoarthritis (OA), along with various intellectual property and know-how assets. PgGA was developed as the next generation of viscosupplements for treating degenerative joint disease. Unlike the current state-of-the-art OA treatment, hyaluronic acid (HA), PgGA has triple the charge density of HA, making it unique in its charge density.