Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Treatment Type (Blood Transfusion, Pharmacotherapy, Bone Marrow Transplant), By Major Markets, Vendor Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2023

Report Overview

The global sickle cell disease treatment market size was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 14.3% during the forecast period. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal, rigid, sickle-shaped red blood cells (RBCs) caused due to mutations in the beta-globin gene. Severity of the disease varies widely from person to person.

Sickle cell anemia can have genotypic and phenotypic variants based on different mutations in hemoglobin genes. Currently, 20 to 25 million people worldwide are living with inherited sickle cell traits and about 300,000 infants are born with the disease every year. Sickle cell disease is common among people of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. Increase in immigration, improvement in healthcare services, and widespread population of African descent are some of the factors expected to drive the global market.

The current treatment for chronic SCD primarily consists of hydroxyurea and blood transfusions. Generally, a large number of patients develop intolerance to hydroxyurea. However, patients with no resistance to hydroxyurea present limited benefits with long-term risks associated with safety.

Patients receiving blood transfusions are at risk of iron overload, blood-borne infections, fever, and allergic reactions. Around 20% of patients suffering from sickle cell disease are transfusion-dependent. The only potentially curative treatment is bone marrow transplant (BMT); however, this is recommended only for a small percentage of patients.

Until 2017, hydroxyurea was the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of the disease, branded under the names Droxia, Hydrea, and Sicklos by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Addmedica. In July 2017, Emmaus Life Sciences’ Endari received FDA approval for the treatment of severe complications associated with SCD in adult and pediatric (above 5 years) patients. Endari was the second drug to be approved by the FDA.

Emerging markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and India are expected to exhibit lucrative growth over the forecast period due to favorable government policies, growing awareness about hematological malignancies, increased investment, and improved healthcare infrastructure.

Treatment Insights

Currently, available treatments for sickle cell disease provide symptomatic relief and palliative care. Although bone marrow transplant is the only curative therapy for SCD, patients younger than 16 years are generally the only ones to undergo this treatment as risks associated with BMT in adults are high. The treatment generally includes blood transfusions, medications to reduce pain and prevent complications, and bone marrow transplant.

Hydroxyurea and Endari are the only two approved drugs for SCD. Potential launch of promising pipeline candidates such as voxelotor (GBT 440), crizanlizumab (SEG 101), rivipansel, and Altemia is anticipated to further support the rapid growth of pharmacotherapy in the sickle cell disease treatment market.

Among treatments, blood transfusion dominated the sickle cell disease market a share of more than 44.0% in 2017. However, pharmacotherapy is estimated to lead the market by 2023, owing to a strong pipeline and several promising drug launches through the forecast period.

Country Insights

U.S. dominated the global sickle cell anemia treatment market with a share of more than 37.0% in 2017, followed by France and the U.K. Although France is projected to register a CAGR of nearly 14%, U.S. is expected to retain its dominant position through the forecast period. This can be attributed to factors such as potential launch of pipeline drugs, increased adoption of novel therapeutics, the presence of a large African-American population, and the high cost of treatment.

A major factor driving the market in EU5 countries is the European migrant crisis that led to a rise in the immigrant population from Western Asia, South Asia, and Africa. The seven major markets will collectively expand at a CAGR of more than 13.0%, while the Rest of the World is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 15.0% during the forecast period. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key players operating in the sickle cell anemia treatment market are Emmaus Medical, Inc.; Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.; bluebird bio, Inc.; Pfizer, Inc.; and Novartis AG. Emmaus Medical is projected to dominate the landscape in 2023, supported by strong sales of Endari. Global Blood Therapeutics and Sancilio also have the potential to gain significant market share post the approval of their pipeline candidates-voxelotor and Altemia, respectively.

Late-stage pipeline drugs such as Novartis’ crizanlizumab and Pfizer’s rivipansel have also demonstrated promising results. Launch of disruptive therapeutics such as Modus Therapeutics’ Sevuparin and Prolong Pharmaceuticals’ Sanguinate is likely to positively affect the market. The sickle cell disease treatment market is expected to witness the introduction of gene therapies such as bluebird bio’s Lentiglobin, Bellicum Pharmaceutical’s BPX 501, and Gamida Cell’s Cordin in the near future.

Sickle Cell Disease 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 industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2023. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the global sickle cell disease market report based on treatment and country:

• Treatment Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2023)

  • Blood Transfusion

  • Pharmacotherapy

  • Bone Marrow Transplant

• Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2023)

  • The U.S.

  • The U.K.

  • Germany

  • Spain

  • Italy

  • France

  • Japan