Arthritis Therapeutics Market Report

For arthritis therapy, the parenteral route is expected to be used in 4/5 of cases, while the oral and topical routes will be chosen in the remaining 1/5 of cases. To put this data into perspective, parenteral administration allows for greater control over dosage and frequency, resulting in a higher therapeutic result when compared to oral medications. These routes of drug administration have also been found to deliver greater bioavailability and metabolism avoidance. Furthermore, rising product launches by market participants are expected to drive market growth. For instance, in 2024, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi secured FDA approval for Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients over 63 kg, expanding arthritis treatment options. Additionally, rising approvals of biosimilars for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are expected to contribute to market expansion. For example, in 2023, Pfizer Inc. announced that the FDA has designated ABRILADA as an interchangeable biosimilar to Humira, covering all approved indications, including rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.

OTC and prescription NSAIDS are often used for relieving pain in osteoarthritis sufferers. According to a research released in 2023 by the NIH, NSAIDs, used in arthritis therapeutics, pose risks including gastric damage, renal dysfunction, cardiovascular risks, and hematologic issues. COX-2-selective NSAIDs are a better choice in terms of reducing gastric and cardiovascular side effects. Furthermore, according to a research presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, NSAIDs are responsible for more than two-thirds of the raised cardiovascular risk associated with osteoarthritis. Such risks associated with NSAID use can discourage doctors from prescribing these drugs while driving patients who use OTC NSAIDS to search for alternative products. The high cost of osteoarthritis medications and the risks associated with their usage, such as stomach ulcers, dizziness, and allergic reactions, are projected to limit the growth of the arthritis therapeutics market during the forecast period.

Major industry leaders utilize strategies that focus on launching new products, merging with competitors, and purchasing companies to grow their customer base and enhance their range of products. In October 2023, Novartis announced FDA approval of Cosentyx (secukinumab) in an intravenous (IV) formulation for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). This approval makes Cosentyx the sole IV option targeting interleukin-17A (IL-17A) for these conditions, offering a weight-based, monthly dosing regimen without pre-medication or lab monitoring, with availability slated for Q4 2023.

However, in January 2023, Alvotech and Bioventure, a subsidiary of GlobalOne Healthcare Holding LLC, received approval from the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) to manufacture and distribute AVT02, a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab). Marketed as Simlandi in Saudi Arabia, this biosimilar is designed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. By offering a more cost-effective alternative to the reference product, Simlandi aims to enhance accessibility within the global arthritis therapeutics market. Furthermore, in October 2023, Pfizer Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its biosimilar ABRILADA (adalimumab-afzb) an interchangeable status with Humira (adalimumab). This designation extends to all approved indications for ABRILADA, which encompasses treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. This move could influence the global arthritis therapeutics market by enhancing treatment options and potentially reducing costs.

In developed regions like as North America and Europe, the arthritis therapeutics market is more consolidated than in other parts of the globe. Rigorous R&D activities done by companies located in these locations are expected to diversify portfolios, enhance the pipeline of medications and, as a result, increase drug availability. In accordance with Versus Arthritis, nearly 10 million individuals in the UK suffer with arthritis. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis affects 24% of all adults in the United States, or 58.5 million individuals. Furthermore, the Arthritis Society Canada estimates that approximately 6 million Canadians accounting for 1 in every 5 adults suffer from arthritis.  For this reason, there is a high need for treatment medications, which fuels market growth.