The global atopic dermatitis drugs market size is preojected to hit around USD 28.9 billion by 2030 from valued at USD 13.7 billion in 2021 and it is poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2022 to 2030.
The market for atopic dermatitis (AD) drugs is expected to witness growth opportunities owing to factors such as the increasing prevalence of atopic dermatitis across the globe, rising awareness, and high demand for treatment. Furthermore, the ongoing launch of innovative products to capture the market is a key strategy adopted by the players to gain market share and maintain their dominance.
A rising number of products in the pipeline, which are highly effective and show fewer adverse effects, is expected to drive the market. For instance, overall, 11 novel drugs indicated for atopic dermatitis are anticipated to be launched in the global market between 2020 and 2029. These include the following drug classes: Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4), and interleukin-4 & -13 (IL-4/13). These launches offer improvement in the quality of life and additional choices of treatments to patients with severe and moderate forms of AD.
Support from regulatory authorities, such as the provision of fast-track designation, is anticipated to impel R&D on AD. For instance, Lebrikizumab by Demira, Inc. received a fast-track designation. Moreover, in October 2020, Forte Biosciences, Inc.’s drug FB-401 was granted the fast-track designation by the FDA. Hence, the growing interest of companies in R&D is expected to propel the growth of the market.
An increase in funding for research and development of novel therapies for atopic dermatitis combined with proactive government initiatives will boost regional growth. Collaborations between public and private associations are expected to increase consumer awareness across the globe. For instance, in June 2022, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.) announced the launch of Moizerto ointment (difamilast) for treating AD in Japan. This ointment is a non-steroidal topical phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor.
The Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) provides AD guidelines for AD in Japan. These guidelines were revised in 2020, specifying diagnostic criteria as well as treatments. For instance, inflammation-related AD is treated using topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus. This facilitates the treatment of patients in a systematic manner, thus improving treatment efficacy.
Route of Administration Insights
The injectable segment dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 42% and is likely to maintain its dominance over the forecast period owing to the increased use of injectable products such as Dupilumab. Other injectable biologics under clinical study are tofacitinib and ruxolitinib. Biologics are expected to change the landscape of therapeutics used for AD in the near future. They are being investigated for the treatment of pediatric patients to meet the high unmet need of this market. There are very limited treatment options for pediatric patients with AD. One of the clinical programs aimed at developing AD drugs for pediatric patients is dupilumab development program. The program is aimed at improving clinical research.
The oral segment is likely to register the second-highest growth rate during the forecast period propelled by new launches in JAK inhibitors, which are primarily administered through the oral route. Oral corticosteroids are prescribed only in extreme cases when the disease has covered large areas of the body or in case of any complication with other therapies. Traditionally used oral medications are azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil.
Drug Class Insights
The biologics segment held the largest share of over 41% in 2021. Biologics have a major clinical advantage over conventional topical treatments as they target the inflammatory mechanisms fostering the disease rather than just addressing the symptoms. The high specificity of these drugs gives them a competitive edge. Biologics are mostly prescribed for severe cases, such as second or third-line treatment, in patients unresponsive to prior systemic therapies. The growth of the biologics segment is augmented by rising demand for biologics due to high efficacy, rising product approvals, and the availability of a robust pipeline of biologic drugs for atopic dermatitis. Nemolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that is currently in pipeline of GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P., is being investigated for its use in pruritus and atopic dermatitis.
The PDE4 segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period owing to wider product availability. For instance, Eucrisa (crisaborole ointment, 2%) is an approved PDE4 inhibitor. The FDA approved Pfizer’s Eucrisa in 2016 for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. It has been proven to inhibit Th-2-derived cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α. Pfizer is continuously expanding its market reach and obtaining new approvals for Eucrisa (crisaborole). For instance, in March 2020, Eucrisa was approved by the FDA for children over 3 years of age, thus increasing the revenue-generating capacity of the drug. Another prominent PDE4 in the pipeline is roflumilast by Arcutis Biotherapeutics. In January 2021, the company announced the initiation of a phase 3 trial of the drug.
Regional Insights
North America dominated the overall market with a revenue share of over 51% in 2021 due to the local presence of leading players, such as AbbVie and Viatris. Key reasons behind the region’s continued dominance include the presence of well-established R&D infrastructure and favorable reimbursement policies. In addition, the regulatory and reimbursement landscape is continuously evolving to adapt to the fast-paced research progress in this sector. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to positively impact market growth. This can be attributed to the increased frequency of hand-washing by the population adhering to safety and sanitation measures, which helps prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, constant exposure to soap and water has increased dry skin, leading to an increase in cases of hand atopic dermatitis.
Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth rate of 12.4% during the forecast period. An increase in pro-health initiatives, adoption of better treatments, and rise in consumer awareness are fueling market growth in this region. In addition, the rising prevalence of atopic dermatitis, increasing demand for cost-effective treatment, and growing population significantly contribute to market growth. Asia Pacific markets such as China, Australia, Korea, and Taiwan already have healthcare reimbursement systems that provide inclusive coverage for molecular diagnostic tests.
Some prominent players in the global atopic dermatitis drugs market include:
Market Segmentation
Drug Class Outlook
Corticosteroids
Calcineurin Inhibitors
PDE4 inhibitors
Biologics
Others
Route of Administration Outlook
Topical
Injectable
Oral
Country Outlook
The U.S.
The U.K.
Germany
Spain
Italy
France
Japan
The study objectives of this report are:
Cross-segment Market Size and Analysis for
Mentioned Segments
Additional Company Profiles (Upto 5 With No Cost)
Additional Countries (Apart From Mentioned Countries)
Country/Region-specific Report
Go To Market Strategy
Region Specific Market DynamicsRegion Level Market Share Import Export AnalysisProduction AnalysisOthers