Cystic Fibrosis Market Nears $8 Billion by 2025

A new report published by GlobalData indicates that the cystic fibrosis market will more than triple across the markets of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Canada in less than a decade.

The market is projected to increase from $2.1 billion in 2015 to more than $7.6 billion by 2025, which is a compounded annual growth rate of 13.6%, according to the report.

The main driver of this substantial growth was the emergence of more effective drugs, including Vartex’s ivacaftor + lumacaftor (Orkambi) in 2015. Additionally, the anticipated introduction of disease-modifying cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators are also likely to significantly contribute to spending.

“Until recently, R&D strategies in the cystic fibrosis space have targeted organ-specific sequelae of the underlying disease,” said Pavan Kottamasu, MSc, healthcare analyst for GlobalData. “This approach has mainly resulted in the development of new formulations of antibiotics that can be administered via inhalation for the management of chest infections, and therapies that enhance airway mucociliary clearance.”

While older drugs can improve symptoms, more effective therapies for cystic fibrosis, including a cure, are needed.

“There is also a trend towards licensing products, and alliances are being pursued by a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, as the majority of novel therapeutic agents for cystic fibrosis are being developed by small companies,” Kottamasu said. “GlobalData anticipates that licensing activity and the formation of new partnerships will steer smaller companies to continue researching novel compounds.”

Regardless of the availability of better treatments, patients will still face unmet needs due to a lack of curative drugs, according to the study. Additionally, the authors believe that limited choices of mucolytic treatments and the burden of consistent lung infections will still be a challenge.

As more therapies receive approval, the market will continue to grow tremendously by 2025, according to the report.

“Following the approval of Kalydeco and Orkambi, there is currently enormous excitement for CFTR modulators that can modify the course of the disease and potentially turn this life-threatening condition into a chronic one,” Kottamasu concluded. “At the same time, opportunity remains for newer drugs to improve upon the efficacy of the current marketed and late-stage pipeline CFTR modulators.”