Herpes Simplex Virus Treatment Market (By Treatment: HSV-1, HSV-2; By Drug; By Vaccine; By Route of Administration; By End-use) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2022-2030

The global herpes simplex virus treatment market was valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2021 and it is predicted to surpass around USD 3.9 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 11.2% from 2022 to 2030.

Report Highlights

• Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) treatment dominated the overall market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 65.03%. 
• Valacyclovir drug dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 35.14%. 
• Simplirix vaccine (post-launch) is expected to account for the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. 
• The oral segment held the largest market share of over 45.08% in 2021. 
• Hospital pharmacies dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 45.22%.
• North America accounted for the largest share of over 40.07% in 2021. 

The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as increasing prevalence of herpes infection among the population, growing awareness about the disease globally, rising geriatric and immunocompromised population, and an increasing demand to develop novel treatment options to meet the demand for herpes infection therapeutics. Moreover, public-private initiatives are further expected to fuel the growth of the market.

According to the WHO, in 2020, nearly 491.5 million people were suffering from genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus 2, and several billion people have herpes simplex virus 1 infection. Although the infection is typically asymptomatic, those who have it are capable of easily transmitting the virus to another person through contact. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of the global population is a carrier of herpes. This is creating an opportunity for the growth of herpes infection treatment drugs.

Research initiatives and increasing collaborations between research organizations are facilitating the development of novel treatment alternatives against viruses, which is anticipated to boost market growth. In January 2020, a research collaboration between scientists from the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, the University of Geneva (UNIGE), and the University of Manchester led to the development of novel antiviral materials, virucides, made from sugar that show promise for the treatment of herpes simplex (cold sore virus). The development of virucides from sugar has facilitated the arrival of an innovative antiviral drug, which aids treatment without being toxic to humans.

Key players operating in the market are focusing on developing novel and innovative products to meet the increasing demand for providing effective therapeutics. With the increasing demand for effective therapeutics, companies are engaged in developing novel and innovative medicines against infection. For instance, in July 2021, a Phase III study of pritelivir, a novel drug by AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, which is a German pharmaceutical company, was commenced, post receiving encouraging Phase II interim results from the Phase II/III trial. This leading compound is developed to treat immunocompromised patients with mucocutaneous HSV infections that are acyclovir-resistant. It was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. FDA in June 2020. The regulatory support for innovative therapies is projected to improve the number of new drugs entering the market, facilitating enhanced treatment rates, and thereby accelerating market growth. 

Treatment Insights

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) treatment dominated the overall market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 65.03%. This can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of HSV-1 infection among the population. For instance, according to the WHO, an estimated 3.7 billion of the total population above the age of 50 years are living with HSV-1 infection. Moreover, the market is driven by the increasing risk associated with the transmission of HSV-1 and the infection may be transmitted via contact with the virus through saliva, sores, or even through the genital area through oral-genital contact.

Moreover, the growing burden of Herpes simplex virus-1 encephalitis (HSE), a rare neurological disorder caused by the virus, is expected to boost the growth of the segment. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), HSE affects males and females in equal numbers and usually occurs during early childhood or adulthood. The disorder accounts for 10 percent of all reported cases of encephalitis and nearly 2,000 reported cases of acute encephalitis in the U.S.

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-2) treatment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of HSV-2 infection aided by an increased risk of reinfection of HSV-2 in people who already have HSV-1 infection. Moreover, the infection can be transmitted from the mother to the offspring, which makes it important to provide proper and early treatment. Companies are working on developing novel treatments. For instance, in October 2021, Cheng Kung University and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre announced joining forces with United BioPharma for testing the effectiveness of UB-621 and the projected phase II trials are expected to begin in China and the U.S.

Drug Insights

Valacyclovir drug dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 35.14%. This can be attributed to the cost-effectiveness, availability, and effectiveness offered by valacyclovir in blocking the herpes virus from reproducing in the body, thereby helping to control the symptoms of a herpes outbreak. Moreover, valacyclovir is most widely used for cold sores attributed to its higher absorption rate as acyclovir is broken down by the liver easily when consumed orally. Moreover, according to a study by the American Journal of Ophthalmology, a 500 mg dose of valacyclovir is as effective as an 800 mg dose of acyclovir in preventing HSV eye disease recurrence.

Acyclovir drug is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period owing to the acceptance of acyclovir as the gold standard for the treatment of herpes infection. As per statistics, in 2020, the estimated number of prescriptions of acyclovir in the U.S. were 3,517,810. The drug acts as a first-line antiviral agent available in topical, oral, and intravenous formulations, which, in turn, increases its acceptability among the target population. Moreover, the advent of over-the-counter drugs for infection treatment further fuels market growth. For instance, in August 2022, OTC Zovirax is marketed for the treatment of cold sores and blisters caused due to infections with HSV.

Vaccine Insights

Simplirix vaccine (post-launch) is expected to account for the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. SB208141 is a vaccine developed by GSK and it has currently completed Phase III of clinical trials. Research and development to develop and provide proficient and effective preventive measures as vaccine candidates are further boosting the growth of the market. Moreover, as no approved vaccine or treatment is available in the market for herpes, there is an increased need to provide and develop novel products.

The other segment is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the existence of vaccine candidates in the pipeline that is expected to be launched in the market during the forecast period. For instance, HSV529 is under development by Sanofi Pasteur, GSK4108771A vaccine is under process by GSK, RVx201 is a live attenuated vaccine for HSV-2, and EXD-12 is currently in the preclinical testing phase. Moreover, initiatives are being taken up by key market players operating in the market to develop and commercialize vaccine candidates suitable for herpes infection. For instance, studies are being conducted to develop mRNA vaccines that are highly effective and safe to be used as suitable vaccine candidates. For instance, mRNA-1608 is an mRNA vaccine candidate under development by Moderna Inc.

Route Of Administration Insights

The oral segment held the largest market share of over 45.08% in 2021. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the effectiveness and ease of administration. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are available as oral formulations. Moreover, studies have shown that acyclovir taken orally reduces the average duration of pain caused due to cold sore by about 36% as compared to a placebo. The healing time with oral acyclovir is 27% faster as compared to other formulations taken for treatment. Furthermore, oral formulations help in providing quick and fast action, thus increasing its acceptance within the population pool.

The topical segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Acyclovir and penciclovir are available as topical formulations in the form of cream. When penciclovir cream is applied every 2 hours, it reduces the duration of pain from about four days to three and a half days. Although topical formulations are widely accepted, they are not intended for the treatment of herpes simplex. They are usually taken to relieve discomfort and pain to help sores heal faster. Moreover, topical formulations are consumer friendly, which makes them feasible and highly acceptable by a wide range of consumers, further increasing their demand during the forecast period.

End-use Insights

Hospital pharmacies dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of over 45.22% as these pharmacies are the primary centers for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from herpes infections in both developed and developing economies. Increasing disease prevalence and continuous flow of patients in the hospitals are anticipated to support the growth of the hospital pharmacy segment. Moreover, adequate reimbursement policies and a growing number of hospitals with pharmacies are further driving this segment. Furthermore, the price of hospital pharmaceuticals is based on the agreements between the pharmaceutical company and the hospital pharmacy, particularly in the case of bulk purchases. Therefore, hospital pharmacies have the freedom to negotiate purchasing prices with companies depending on hospital requirements and competition among the suppliers. For instance, a New Zealand government agency, Pharmac, determines which drugs and pharmaceutical products are subsidized for use in public and community hospitals to help patients procure medicines at a subsidized price.

Retail pharmacies are expected to grow at a lucrative rate during the forecast period, which can be attributed to the easy accessibility of over-the-counter products for herpes treatment. Furthermore, counseling of patients regarding treatment options for common symptoms such as cold sores is provided at these pharmacies, thereby providing a unique advantage to the segment.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the largest share of over 40.07% in 2021. This can be attributed to higher consumption of branded herpes drugs, escalating healthcare expenditure, increasing launch of generics, and favorable reimbursement policies. Moreover, increasing disease prevalence, growing geriatric and immunocompromised population in the region, increasing awareness about STDs, and a rise in serological screening for genital herpes infection are some of the factors driving the regional market. For instance, according to the CDC, about 11.9% of people aged 11-49 years are estimated to be infected in the U.S. In August 2022, U.S.-based Rational Vaccines Inc. announced the launch of a recurrent HSV-2 infection observational clinical trial with 200 patients for its product RVx-001-PSS.

The Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The growth in this region is due to the geographical expansion of key players in Asian countries, together with developing healthcare infrastructure and growing government initiatives to improve treatment adoption. In addition, the high prevalence of herpes in emerging economies, such as China and India, is expected to support growth. The higher adoption rate of generics for herpes treatment in the region can be attributed to the presence of a large number of local players, thus leading to a fragmented market. Moreover, increasing efforts to develop a vaccine as a preventive measure to stop the spread of infection are propelling the growth of the market.

Key Players

• GSK plc
• Carlsbad Tech
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Fresenius Kabi AG
• Apotex Inc.
• Mylan N.V.
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
• Sanofi
• Novartis AG 

Market Segmentation

• By Treatment Outlook
• Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1)
• Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2)
• By Drug Outlook
• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir
• Famciclovir
• Other Drugs
• By Vaccine Outlook
• Simplirix
• Others
• By Route of Administration Outlook
• Oral
• Injectable
• Topical
• By End-use Outlook
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy
• By Regional Outlook
• North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• Germany
• U.K.
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE