The Global Market for Biopharmaceuticals is Forecast to Reach US$306 Billion by the Year 2020

Superior Efficacy of Biopharmaceuticals Against Chronic Diseases Drives the Global Biopharmaceuticals Market, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Biopharmaceuticals. The global market for Biopharmaceuticals is forecast to reach US$306 billion by the year 2020, driven by improved efficiency over conventional drugs, aging population and higher prevalence of difficult to treat diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The use of biopharmaceuticals or biologics has revolutionized disease treatment on account of their better mode of action and efficiency against cancer and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The industry is expected to witness a gradual transition from the use of traditional small molecule drugs to biopharmaceuticals over the coming years. The high therapeutic success of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), cell and gene therapies, and recombinant proteins has attracted industry players to invest in these drugs. Currently awaiting FDA approval, Anti-PCSK9s represents a new class of mAbs with tremendous efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases. Growth in the market is also driven by the growing efforts of pharmaceutical companies to expand their portfolio of biopharmaceutical drugs, given the higher prices commanded by these drugs in the marketplace.

The expanding base of aging population susceptible to autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, also provide a strong business opportunity for manufacturers to develop novel drugs and therapies. Despite the potential for growth, the market faces challenges such as high production costs, supply chain complexity, lack of developed cold-chain maintenance, impending patent expiries of leading biopharmaceutical drugs, and stringent approval and production laws given the drugs’ complex structure and genetic implications. The year 2015-16 is the so-called ‘patent cliff’ when the patents on blockbuster mAbs expire. Examples include Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, and also Lantus (Sanofi’s leading anti-diabetes drug). To hedge the impact on profits caused by patent expiries, top pharma companies are acquiring other players with promising substitute products. Abbvie’s acquisition of Pharmacyclics is expected to stabilize revenues when its lead drug Humira loses patent protection in 2016.

While patent expiries of leading biologics create opportunities for companies engaged in developing biosimilars, the approval process is a long one. Biosimilars differ from generics in terms of manufacturing complexity and safety risks. The lack of a well-established global standard regulatory framework also adds to the challenges in the biosimilars market. The European Union developed a biosimilar regulatory framework in 2006, much ahead of the US.  The US healthcare system followed up in 2010 with the introduction of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) that enabled expedited approval for biosimilars.

As stated by the new market research report on Biopharmaceuticals, the United States represents the largest market worldwide led by high prevalence of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, and rising focus on therapeutic efficiency. Asia-Pacific is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 12.2% over the analysis period. The growth in the region is driven by rising awareness over the potency of biologic drugs among the patient and medical community and increased investments in biologics drug discovery. The market for Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) represents the largest and the fastest growing product segment, with a projected CAGR of 9.9% over the analysis period. There is ever-increasing demand for monoclonal antibodies because of their highly specific mode of action. mAbs account for over half of the top-selling biopharmaceuticals.

Major players covered in the report include AbbVie Inc., Anavex Life Sciences Corporation, Baxter International Inc., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biocon, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Biotech Inc., Kemwell Biopharma,  Novartis/Sandoz, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (and Genentech), and Sanofi S.A., among others.

The research report titled “Biopharmaceuticals: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the biopharmaceuticals market, current market trends, key growth drivers, recent industry activity, and major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in US$ for all major geographic markets, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Recombinant Protein, Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs), Insulin, and Vaccines.