The incidence of gout has increased to a great extent over the past few decades. Highly prevalent in the US, gout is a condition which was first identified centuries back by the ancient Egyptians. In fact, as this condition affects the patient’s ability to move around, it was even referred as the “unwalkable disease” by the legendary Greek physician Hippocrates. Apart from uncontrolled metabolic disorder and high levels of uric acid in the body, obesity, smoking, and high intake of alcohol are the major causes of this inflammatory disorder.
The global market for gout therapeutics
Thankfully, today many therapies are available for gout treatment. These medications not only treat gout but also prevent future flares and reduce the risk of gout complications like kidney stones and tophi development. The medications either reduce the production of uric acid or improve the kidney’s ability to remove uric acid from the body. AstraZeneca, Horizon Pharma, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals are the leading vendors in the global gout therapeutics market.
What is driving the gout therapeutics market?
Medications and therapies are recommended to the patients, depending on the severity of the gout condition. Several pharma companies have even increased their investments in R&D activities to come up with more effective medications. The market for chronic as well as acute gout therapeutics has been growing significantly in the past one decade. Our market analysts predict the global market for gout therapeutics to grow at a CAGR of over 17% by 2020. Some of the major drivers responsible for the immense growth of gout therapeutics market are:
1. Introduction of urate-lowering agents
As mentioned earlier, the excessive deposition of uric acid crystals in the body is the major cause of gout. Physicians are of the view that urate-lowering agents can play a critical role in treating this condition. The approved first-line therapies like Allopurinol and Febuxostat have failed to provide the expected results, which is why urate-lowering agents are preferred for gout treatment. Urate-lowering agents, not only reduce the pain but also bring down the risk of joint destruction. Recent clinical trials of novel urate-lowering agent, such as Lesinurad, in combination with Febuxostat showed promising results among the gout patients. Analysts are of the view that in the upcoming years, urate-lowering agents will play a crucial role in driving the gout therapeutics market.
2. Popularity of OTC drugs
There is no exact therapy for gout, which is why recently many individuals have switched to using OTC or off-label drugs. Oral colchicine, NASAIDs, and corticosteroids are some of the approved drugs for gout, which are easily available over the counter. OTC drugs are highly effective in mild gout indications, and play an important role in boosting the global gout therapeutics market.
3. Biologics
Biologics have a high affinity towards specific disease cells. As the disease is analyzed at the molecular level, biologics are in a better position to address gout-related conditions in a better manner. Being made from proteins, they block the action of key chemicals involved in the inflammation of joints. Canakinumab, Krystexxa, and Rilonacept are some of the effectively approved biologics for gout treatment. Due to its effectiveness in treating gout, the sale of biologics has grown significantly in the global market.
4. Preference for combination therapies
It has often been seen that over a period, patients tend to develop resistance to monotherapies. Combination therapy, on the other hand, is not only effective, but also speed up the treatment process and reduces the side effects, which are inherent in the monotherapies. For instance, a combination of allopurinol and benzbromarone for the treatment of gout reduces the renal dysfunction as lesser doses of allopurinol is used.
5. Increased focus on regenerative medicines
Another key driver of the gout therapeutics market is the increasing focus on regenerative medicines. Regenerative medicines heal the body by regenerating the affected tissues, and establishing the normal function. MEDIPOST, TETEC, ISTO Technologies, and Cerapedics are some of the companies engaged in the development of regenerative medicines for the treatment of gout.
To know about the geographical segmentation of the gout therapeutics market
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