Actinic Keratosis Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Therapy (Surgery, Photodynamic Therapy), By Drug Class, By End-Use (Hospitals, Homecare), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global actinic keratosis treatment market size was valued at USD 5.78 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2021 to 2028. The increasing prevalence of the disease coupled with an increasing geriatric population and rising awareness about the disease are factors expected to drive the growth over the forecast period. For instance, in the U.S. and Europe, the prevalence of the disease ranges from 11 to 26%, due to which it is the most commonly treated dermatologic disease in the outpatient setting in the U.S. Moreover, the prevalence is highest in Australia with an estimation of 37 to 55% in adults aged 40 years and above. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the market adversely.

The increasing global concern for the disease is a key market driver. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it is estimated that more than 58 million people are affected by one or more actinic keratosis in the U.S. Moreover, factors, such as severe baldness, old age, the high tendency of sunburn, and skin wrinkling, make a person more predisposed to develop the disease. Furthermore, patients in some regions, such as Australia and New Zealand, exhibit relatively more harmful effects of sun exposure than in other areas. The concerns related to the disease are increasing due to the growing patient base globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the global market. In 2020, the diagnosis and treatment rates have been reduced significantly due to restrictions on non-essential doctor visits and complete lockdown in most countries. For instance, in 2020, around 12.7 million treatments including surgical, photodynamic therapy, and topical drugs for actinic keratosis were performed in the U.S. whereas, in 2019, there were around 15.1 million treatments for actinic keratosis. Moreover, the American Academy of Dermatology was continuously communicating with dermatologists to restrict the visit of patients with non-urgent medical conditions including actinic keratosis.

An increasing number of drug approvals and the expected launch of novel therapies for the disease are expected to propel the growth. For instance, in December 2020, Almirall, S.A. received the U.S. FDA approval for Klisyri (tirbanibulin) for the treatment of actinic keratosis of the face and scalp. Moreover, in June 2020, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. launched Levulan Kerastick, a topical solution for the treatment of mild to moderate actinic keratosis of the scalp, face, and upper extremities. The expected increase in the adoption owing to the commercialization of novel drugs coupled with the associated cost is one of the factors anticipated for the market growth.

The growing research & development activities are expected to increase the approval of novel drugs for the treatment of actinic keratosis over the forecast period. Pipeline candidates in the late phase of clinical trials, such as KX2-391, SOR007, AM001, and others, are expected to drive market growth. Moreover, the high risk of developing skin cancer from actinic keratosis has resulted in an increased diagnosis & treatment rate. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, untreated precancerous skin growths can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. About 10% of untreated actinic keratosis becomes cancerous and the majority of skin cancers start as actinic keratosis.

Therapy Insights

The surgical therapy segment dominated the global market in 2020 with a revenue share of more than 65%. The segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. The high penetration of cryotherapy for the treatment of AK will drive the segment growth. The topical segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast years owing to the increasing adoption of self-administered therapy and easy availability of home-based treatment options.

This is also called field therapy and has a low associated risk of scarring. The photodynamic therapy segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% over the forecast period. Increasing adoption of non-invasive treatments and the high efficacy of photodynamic therapy compared to cryotherapy are expected to boost the segment growth in the coming years. This therapy can be recommended to a patient who has recurrent actinic keratosis.

Drug Class Insights

The nucleoside metabolic inhibitors drug class segment led the global market in 2020 with a revenue share of over 32%. The growth was driven by the strong commercial performances of Carac, Efudex, and Fluoroplex. Moreover, increasing awareness about diagnostics and treatment strategies for this disease has driven the widespread adoption of field-directed treatments, such as 5-fluorouracil. The new guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology strongly recommended 5-fluorouracil for field treatment of AK that will drive the segment growth. However, the penetration of generics is likely to slow down the growth over the forecast period.

The photo-enhancers segment is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Photodynamic therapy is gaining ground and is expected to positively impact the market growth of photo-enhancers. Increasing use of photo-enhancers, such as Ameluz, Levulan, Photofrin, Metvix, and others, is anticipated to boost the segment growth over the coming years.

End-use Insights

The hospital segment led the global treatment market in 2020 accounting for a revenue share of 30%. The large share of the segment can be attributed to several factors, such as availability of healthcare facilities, treatment rate, accessibility, healthcare expenditure, and others. Moreover, high penetration of surgical therapies and increasing adoption of photodynamic therapy are driving the segment growth. Based on end-use, the market is segmented into hospitals, private clinics, home care, and others.

The home care segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing adoption of topical therapies, availability of OTC drugs, and patient convenience are factors driving the segment growth over the forecast period. Topical drugs, such as Efudex, Carac, Solaraze, Aldara, Voltaren, Clolar, Pennsaid, and others, have a strong presence in the market, which is anticipated to drive the segment growth. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased home-based treatment options.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the highest revenue share of more than 40% of the global market in 2020. It is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. High disease prevalence, rising consumer awareness, proactive government measures, technological advancements, and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are factors responsible for the dominance.

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to an increase in the treatment rate of the disease, rising consumer disposable income, and high disease prevalence in certain countries, such as Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies are increasing their market share by adopting various strategies. For instance, in April 2020, Biofrontera signed an exclusive agreement with Maruho Co., Ltd. in Japan for the development and commercialization of Ameluz in the Asia Pacific region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Many generic pharmaceutical companies are involved in the manufacturing & distribution of topical drugs, which makes the global market highly competitive. Almirall, S.A. and Bausch Health Companies Inc. held a significant market share in 2020. Some prominent players in the global actinic keratosis treatment market include:

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

• Novartis AG

• GALDERMA

• Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc.

• Viatris Inc.

• Mylan N.V.

• Bausch Health Companies, Inc.

• LEO Pharma A/S

• Almirall, S.A.

• Biofrontera AG

• 3M

Actinic Keratosis Treatment Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest market trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global actinic keratosis treatment market report on the basis of therapy, drug class, end-use, and region:

• Therapy Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Topical

  • Surgery

  • Photodynamic Therapy

• Drug Class Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor

  • NSAIDs

  • Immune Response Modifiers

  • Photoenhancers

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Hospitals

  • Private Clinics

  • Homecare

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Argentina

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • South Africa

8.12 billion