The Global Market for H1N1 Vaccines is Forecast to Reach US$4.9 Billion by 2020

Government Initiatives for Updated Vaccine Development Drives the Global H1N1 Vaccines Market, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on H1N1 Vaccines. The global market for H1N1 Vaccines is forecast to reach US$4.9 billion by 2020, driven by WHO recommendations to include the strain in all trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines, and research initiatives focused on developing vaccines to prevent pandemics.

The H1N1 strain of influenza virus created a global pandemic in 2009, colloquially termed the swine flu pandemic. H1N1 vaccine sales skyrocketed in the year 2009 and began to decline after 2010. However, H1N1 continued to cause small sporadic outbreaks in the post-pandemic phase, and regained momentum in the 2013-14 flu season, causing fatalities, though not on par with the 2009 pandemic. With the high propensity of the virus to mutate and with WHO recommendations for the 2015-16 influenza vaccine formulations in place, manufacturers are on a high alert to have enough H1N1vaccines in stock. The global H1N1 vaccine market is driven by government initiatives to increase manufacturing of the vaccine to tackle further pandemics, and better consumer awareness of influenza and the efficacy of preventive vaccines. Key challenges in the market include high cost of development, the long time taken for the conventional egg-based method of developing H1N1 vaccine, regulatory approval and commercialization hassles, and distribution inefficiency during outbreaks.

A few manufacturers ventured into newer H1N1 vaccine manufacturing methods, such as cell-based and recombinant method, which take significantly lesser time than the egg-based method of production. Another new trend is the development of quadrivalent vaccines. Quadrivalent vaccines are expected to provide a higher level of protection for individuals considered to be at most risk for illnesses related to influenza. With the recent rise in infections, manufacturers have been pursuing methods to include the second strain of the subtype B in seasonal influenza vaccines. Quadrivalent vaccines received marketing approval in the US in 2012 and in Europe in 2013.  Currently, MedImmune Inc (FluMist® Quadrivalent), GSK (Fluarix® Quadrivalent), and Sanofi Pasteur (Fluzone Quadrivalent) are the FDA approved quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines available.

The inefficiency in development and timely distribution of vaccines during the H1N1 pandemic triggered a change in government approach to pandemics.  Governments across the world are increasingly focusing on immunizing large sections of the population to prevent outbreak of flu pandemics, rather than fighting the disease after an outbreak. As a precautionary measure, the WHO now recommends manufacturers to include a strain of A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus in formulations of their seasonal influenza vaccines; and advises member governments to continue immunizing the public with monovalent, trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccines, in accordance with the availability in individual geographic regions. 

As stated by the new market research report on H1N1 Vaccines, the United States represents the largest market worldwide. Asia-Pacific constitutes the fastest growing market globally, with a projected CAGR of 7.5% over the analysis period. Ever-increasing population, coupled with the improvement in access to public and private healthcare and increased spending, are factors spurring growth in the market. Increasing public awareness about influenza vaccines, coupled with the government initiatives to expedite domestic production and stockpile reserve H1N1 vaccine doses in the event of a future outbreak, will continue to drive sales of H1N1 vaccines.

Key players covered in the report include Abbott Laboratories, CPL Biologicals Pvt. Ltd., bioCSL GlaxoSmithKline Plc., MedImmune LLC, Novartis AG, Sanofi Pasteur SA, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., and Zydus Cadila, among others.

The research report titled “H1N1 Vaccines: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides an in-depth study of the H1N1 vaccines market, key factors influencing the H1N1 influenza vaccines market, pertinent macro and micro market trends, key growth drivers and inhibitors, market challenges, global players, product approvals, launches, and recent strategic corporate initiatives. The report provides revenue estimates and forecasts for H1N1 vaccines in US$ million for the four major geographic regions, including the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World.