Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Drug Class (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy), By Country (U.S., U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Japan), And Segment Forecasts, 2016 - 2022

Industry Insights

The global colorectal cancer therapeutics market size was valued at USD 8.6 billion in 2016, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period. Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounted for approximately 8.0% of the global cancer incidence in 2016, making it the third most common cancer type, following lung and breast cancer.

Causes of colorectal cancer are unspecified. However, several environmental and genetic factors may increase the risk of developing the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 23 women and 1 in 21 men in U.S. are estimated to develop CRC during their lifetime. Nevertheless, incidence of CRC has been declining over the last few years due to advanced screening and diagnostics as well as improved treatments.

This therapeutics market is anticipated to expand modestly during the forecast period. Factors such as emergence of more front-line therapies, upcoming launches of promising pipeline candidates, and favorable government initiatives are likely to fuel market expansion. 

Aging population and rising awareness about this disease are major driving factors. Government initiatives to provide better and more affordable treatments as well as favorable reimbursement policies are expected to fuel industry growth. Furthermore, increasing acceptance of advanced therapies such as Avastin (bevacizumab), Erbitux (cetuximab), and Stivarga (regorafenib) is expected to drive the market.

Key products such as Avastin, Vectibix, and Zaltrap are anticipated to lose patent exclusivities through the forecast period. These patent expirations will promote the penetration of biosimilars. Amgen and Allergan’s Mvasi was the first biosimilar to Avastin approved in U.S. and Europe, thus marking the entry of biosimilars in the field of oncology. Several other bevacizumab and cetuximab biosimilars are under development and likely to impact branded sales when launched.

The industrial pipeline is exploring treatment options in rarer types such as BRAF-mutant or dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC. However, neglected areas such as high-risk resectable CRC present excellent opportunities for drug developers. Easy availability of treatment options and more targeted therapies indicate a promising future for the global CRC therapeutics market.

Drug Class Insights

The market is divided based on drug class into chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and others. Chemotherapeutics are further segmented into antimetabolites and alkylating agents. Immunotherapeutics are divided into Biologic Response Modifiers (BRF), Colony Stimulating Factors (CSF), tumor vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies.

Immunotherapy led the colorectal cancer therapeutics market by drug class, with a share of close to 60.0% in 2016. This class is anticipated to gain further traction throughout the forecast period. Immunotherapeutics tend to have fewer adverse effects when compared to chemotherapeutics. Non-specificity, toxic side effects, and development of resistance associated with chemotherapy are likely to stifle the growth of chemotherapeutics and encourage adoption of immunotherapeutics and other targeted treatments.

As a result, Roche’s Xeloda and Sanofi’s Eloxatin are expected to lose market share due to declining adoption of chemotherapy. Pivotal products such as Avastin and Erbitux are projected to witness stifled growth owing to patent expirations. However, Merck’s Keytruda and Bristol-Myer Squibb’s Opdivo are expected to witness a steep rise and become top revenue-generators.

Country Insights

U.S. dominated the CRC market in 2016, with a share of more than 45.0%. The market is projected to expand steadily through to 2022, propelled by high incidence of CRC in the country, increase in treatment rates, and inflated medicine prices as compared to other major regions.

Japan is slated to exhibit the highest CAGR among the seven major markets. This growth can be attributed to high unmet clinical needs of patients, rising disposable income, and availability of effective treatment options.

Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics Market Share Insights

Some of the key players are Amgen, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Merck, Roche, and Sanofi. Roche held more than 30.0% of the market in 2016, primarily owing to the lucrative sales of Avastin. Roche is evaluating the combination of targeted therapy (Cotellic) with immuno-oncologic agents for the treatment of CRC.

Roche and Eli Lilly are anticipated to witness declining sales through 2022, on account of patent expiries of Avastin and Erbitux. On the contrary, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck are expected to lead the CRC therapeutic space by 2022 due to increased adoption of targeted therapies such as Opdivo and Keytruda, respectively. Mvasi’s launch is likely to promote Amgen’s expansion during the forecast period.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2022. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global colorectal cancer therapeutics market report based on drug class and country:

• Drug Class Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2022)

  • Chemotherapy

  • Immunotherapy

  • Others

• Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2022)

  • The U.S.

  • The U.K.

  • Germany

  • Spain

  • France

  • Italy

  • Japan