The Healthcare Industry is currently facing a shortage of treatments for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is characterized by polycystic ovaries, irregular or no menstrual periods, irregular ovulation, and high levels of androgens (male hormones) in the body. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown.
In PCOS, small cysts form on the ovaries, which do not produce a sufficient amount of the hormone that initiates ovulation. The ovarian follicles, which are filled with fluid in preparation for ovulation, remain as cysts when ovulation does not occur. Lifestyle modifications, medications, and surgery are some of the treatments currently available for PCOS.
PCOS Treatment
Current therapy relies on treating the symptoms of the disease and has low efficacy profiles; thus current treatment options are incapable of meeting the market requirements, leaving a large unmet need in this market. In addition, there exists high unmet need for therapies that directly target the underlying etiology and pathophysiology responsible for the progression of PCOS.
The Global PCOS Drugs Market is waiting for new treatment options with better efficacy and safety results to address the current unmet needs. Hence, there is huge potential for new entrants to grow by addressing the high level of unmet need in the market. This is one of several factors currently driving market growth at a slight but steady CAGR of 2.65 percent for the 2013-2018 period.
PCOS Market Landscape
Currently, the market is dominated by generics and off-label drugs, implying that the competition in the market is weak. It is also estimated that as there is no approved drug for PCOS in the market, any drug approved by the FDA would enable companies to cater to this large unmet need. Drugs that are available for management do not treat the syndrome directly but treat the complications associated with it. Moreover, the drugs have poor efficacy and the patient and physician satisfaction with the drugs are low. These factors inhibit new entrants from entering the market.
Increasing R&D for PCOS Treatment Options
Fortunately, the future of the Global PCOS Drugs Market looks quite promising with increasing efforts being made in R&D. Vendors are continuously striving to introduce novel pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of PCOS. Various companies are engaged in the development of accurate and definitive diagnostic tests that could help in the early diagnosis of the condition.
Moreover, it is expected that the acceptance of new drugs will be assisted by the availability of improved diagnostics. Owing to the increasing R&D activities, various organizations are funding research grants for the development of drugs used in the treatment of PCOS specifically among pediatric populations. For instance, EffRx Pharmaceuticals SA received a prestigious US$8.10 million research grant for the development of EX404 for PCOS in children. Thus, it is expected that an increase in R&D is expected to drive the market in a positive direction.
