Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth, Consumption, Revenue, Company Analysis and Forecast 2020-2027

The osteoarthritis therapeutics market size is projected to surpass USD 11.5 billion by 2027 and growing at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2020 to 2027.

The growth of this market is driven by significant adoption of pain medications, increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis, growing population susceptible to osteoarthritis, and rising number of sports injuries.

"Knee osteoarthritis therapeutics is expected to hold the largest share of the osteoarthritis therapeutics market, by anatomy in 2020."

Based on anatomy, the market is segmented into knee, hip, hand, and small-joint osteoarthritis therapeutics. Knee osteoarthritis therapeutics is the largest and the fastest-growing segment in this market. This can primarily be attributed to the high incidence of knee osteoarthritis.

"Viscosupplementation agents is expected to hold the largest share of the market, in 2020."

Based on drug type, the market is classified as, viscosupplementation agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and corticosteroids. The analgesics segment is subsegmented into duloxetine and acetaminophen, while the NSAIDs segment is subsegmented into naproxen, aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs. The viscosupplementation agents segment accounted for the largest share of the osteoarthritis therapeutics market in 2019. The rising incidence of knee osteoarthritis is the major factor driving the growth of this segment. Viscosupplementation effectively eases the pain of osteoarthritis through injections that fill up the joint's synovial fluid, thus offering better lubrication of the joints.

"Parental route is expected to hold the largest share of the market in 2020."

On the basis of route of administration, the market has been segmented into oral, topical, and parenteral routes. The parenteral route accounted for the largest share of this market in 2019 and is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the wide adoption of the parenteral route for administering osteoarthritis therapeutics owing to the ease of administration and the better pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, resulting in better patient compliance.

"Hospital pharmacies segment commanded the largest share of the osteoarthritis therapeutics market in 2020."

Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, online pharmacies, and retail pharmacies. In 2019, hospital pharmacies accounted for the largest share of this market because of the high volume of patients visiting hospitals for osteoarthritis treatments and the wide range of osteoarthritis therapeutics available in these pharmacies. Reimbursements can also be claimed easily on hospital pharmacy purchases, which is another important draw.

"Prescription drugs segment commanded the largest share of the osteoarthritis therapeutics market in 2020."

Based on the purchasing pattern, the market is segmented into OTC and prescription drugs. In 2019, the prescription drugs segment accounted for a larger share of this market as most osteoarthritis therapeutics (viscosupplementation agents and corticosteroids) are only available on prescription.

"Europe commanded the largest share of the market in 2020."

On the basis of region, the osteoarthritis therapeutics market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2019, Europe commanded the largest share of the market. The large share of this market segment can be attributed to the rising incidence of osteoarthritis, rising geriatric population, and increasing obesity rates in several European countries, coupled with the rising number of injuries due to sports and road accidents.

The major players operating in this market are Sanofi (France), Horizon Therapeutics PLC (Ireland), Johnson & Johnson (US), GlaxoSmithKline PLC (UK), Bayer AG (Germany), Abbott (US), Pfizer, Inc. (US), Eli Lilly (US), Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (US), Novartis AG (Switzerland), Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Switzerland), Bioventus (US), Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US), Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a. (Italy), Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. (US), Pharmed Limited (India), Virchow Biotech (India), Kitov Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Israel), Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. (US), Atnahs (UK), Almatica Pharma LLC (US), OrthogenRx (US), LABRHA (France), Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd. (Korea), and Laboratorio Reig Jofre (Spain).

DRIVER: Rising government investments in cell-based research significant adoption of pain medications

Topical, oral, and parenteral pain medications are widely used to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis. Although alternatives such as orthopedic braces are used as part of a noninvasive approach for pain management, the adoption of pain medications for the condition is high owing to the ease of administration and the affordability of pain medications. Pain relievers such as oral analgesics (acetaminophen and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, tramadol, opiates, and duloxetine), topical agents (such as capsaicin and topical NSAIDs), intra-articular agents (such as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid), and nutraceuticals (glucosamine and chondroitin) are widely used. Studies reveal that these medications offer a 30% reduction of chronic pain on administration.

The adoption of pain medications for the management of pain associated with osteoarthritis is expected to remain high over the coming decade, which is anticipated to propel the growth of the market during the study period.

OPPORTUNITY: Personalized medicine for osteoarthritis

Remarkable advances have been made in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring disease activity in patients with osteoarthritis, including the conceptualization of personalized OA medications. Essential features of biomarkers that will have clinical relevance for a personalized approach to therapy for RA include the ease of measurement, acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity, and test methods that are accessible and interpretable by clinicians. The use of biomarkers to identify patients who are likely to respond to specific medical therapies may increase treatment response rates and reduce the risk of exposure to therapies that are unlikely to be effective or expose patients to serious treatment-related side-effects. The combination of unique biomarkers and baseline clinical characteristics such as sex and age may further enhance efforts to personalize treatment regimens for RA. 

Market Segmentation

By Anatomy

• Knee Osteoarthritis
• Hip Osteoarthritis
• Hand Osteoarthritis
• Small Joint Osteoarthritis

By Drug Type

• Viscosupplementation Agents
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
  • Naproxen
  • Aspirin
  • Diclofenac
  • Ibuprofen
  • Other NSAIDs
• Analgesics
  • Duloxetine
  • Acetaminophen
• Corticosteroids

By Route of Administration

• Parenteral Route
• Topical Route
• Oral Route

By Purchasing Pattern

• Prescription Drugs
• Over-the-Counter Drugs

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa