The Sickle Cell Treatment Market size is estimated at USD 3.32 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 6.11 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.98% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the studied market was significant. For instance, according to the data updated by the American Society of Hematology in May 2021, it was stated that CDC has designated sickle cell disease (SCD) as one of the medical conditions with a very high risk for severe COVID-19. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the market's growth during the initial phase. However, as the pandemic has currently subsided, the market is expected to have normal growth during the forecast period.
Factors such as the increasing prevalence of sickle cell disease and the increasing R&D activities regarding sickle cell disease are expected to boost the market's growth.
According to an article published by HemaSphere in June 2022, sickle cell disease (SCD) is said to have a high prevalence and social impact worldwide, with high mortality within the first three years of life. A high prevalence of the disease has been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India. It has also been estimated that the prevalence is increasing in other geographic regions with global migration. Thus, the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease is expected to boost the market's growth during the forecast period.
The rising initiatives by various governments and private organizations for the treatment of this disease are expected to drive the market in the coming years. For instance, according to the data published by the WHO in August 2022, a few African health ministers launched a campaign to ramp up awareness and bolster prevention and care to reduce the toll of sickle cell disease, which is one of the most common illnesses in the region, but which receives inadequate attention. The source also stated that more than 66% of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease live in Africa. Approximately 1,000 children are born with the disease every day in Africa, making it the region's most prevalent genetically acquired disease. Thus, the high prevalence of sickle cell disease and the increasing awareness campaigns for the treatment of this disease are some of the key market drivers.
The increasing R&D for sickle cell disease may also drive the market. For instance, in May 2022, multiple daily doses of GBT601, Global Blood Therapeutics' (GBT) experimental oral therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), was well tolerated and showed promising pharmacological and efficacy signals in six patients in a phase I trial clinical trial.
Thus, factors such as the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease, the increasing awareness campaigns, and the rising R&D are expected to boost the market's growth. However, the high cost of treatment is expected to restrain this growth.
The blood transfusion segment is expected to witness healthy growth over the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to the high demand for blood transfusion in sickle cell treatment and the increase in the prevalence of SCD. Blood transfusions enable the supply of normal red blood cells, which can enhance hemoglobin levels to improve oxygen delivery in the body, thereby reducing sickle cell blockage in blood vessels and minimizing the desire to make more sickle cells.
The rising prevalence of sickle cell disease is the major factor driving the segment's growth. According to an article published by HemaSphere in August 2022, a study in India showed a very high prevalence of sickle cell disease among the non-tribal people in Chattisgarh, India. Thus, the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease is expected to drive the segment during the forecast period.
The increasing usage of blood transfusion to manage the disease is also expected to impact the segment positively. For instance, according to the data updated by CDC in September 2021, if a person has sickle cell disease (SCD), then one or more blood transfusions (healthy blood from a donor put into your body) are required during the lifetime. During a blood transfusion, the patient's blood and the donated blood must have matching antigens or special proteins on the surface of each red blood cell.
The rising R&D for sickle cell disease is also expected to boost the segment's growth. For instance, according to the data updated by clinicaltrials.gov in February 2023, currently, there are 58 ongoing and active clinical trials for blood transfusion in sickle cell disease. Thus, the large number of clinical trials is expected to boost the adoption of blood transfusion for this treatment.
Thus, factors such as the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease, the increasing usage of blood transfusion for the management of the disease, and the rising R&D for sickle cell disease are expected to enhance the segment's growth.
North America is expected to hold a significant share of the overall sickle cell treatment market, with the United States being the major contributor. The growth in the region is attributed to improving access to SCD treatment and potential pipeline candidates. The strong government support in the United States will further foster the market's development. The rising prevalence of sickle cell disease in the region, the increasing number of clinical trials, and the rising product launches are expected to boost the market's growth in the region.
According to the data updated by CDC in May 2022, sickle cell disease (SCD) affects approximately 100,000 Americans every year, and SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 365 black or African American births. The source also stated that SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic American births, and about 1 in 13 black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT). Similarly, according to an article published by the Canadian Pediatric Society in February 2022, sickle cell disease (SCD) is considered one of the most common human genetic diseases, and it affects at least 5,000 individuals in Canada every year.
The increasing initiatives by the government are also expected to boost the market's growth in the region. For instance, in September 2022, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted a five-year, USD 7.7 million grant to support a new research project that seeks to lower barriers to healthcare for people with sickle cell disease (SCD).
The increasing developments by key market players are also expected to boost the market's growth. For instance, in May 2022, the US FDA awarded fast-track designation to Graphite Bio's GPH101. This investigational gene-editing therapy aims to correct the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease (SCD) and potentially cure the condition. In January 2022, Agios Pharmaceuticals launched a phase 2/3 trial called RISE UP to test its investigational therapy mitapivat (AG-348) in people with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Thus, factors such as the rising prevalence of sickle cell disease and the rising R&D are expected to boost the market's growth in the region.
The sickle cell treatment market is highly competitive, with the presence of several regional and global companies. Companies are taking initiatives to develop novel therapies in the market studied. Some of the players include Novartis AG, Global Blood Therapeutics Inc., Emmaus Medical Inc., Addmedica, Medunik USA Inc., and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
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