Uveitis Treatment Market

The uveitis treatment landscape has been witnessing significant development because of increasing elderly population, developing pervasiveness of uveitis, and related complications. Besides, introduction of novel biologics, fast-track pipeline drugs, increasing investment in the research, and development for new drug discovery are prominently driving the development of the uveitis treatment market. The global uveitis treatment market size was ~US$ 567 Mn in 2018, which is likely to be increasing at a CAGR of ~6% during the forecasted period of 2019-2029.

Uveitis treatment includes corticosteroids, immunosuppressant, monoclonal antibodies, cycloplegic agents, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal, and analgesics. Antibiotics in the uveitis treatment type segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period, owing to rise in autoimmune disorders globally. In terms of revenue, corticosteroids in the uveitis treatment type segment is the largest segment and is expected to keep constant traction during the forecast period, owing to be used as a first line treatment for uveitis. These are used in different formulations from eye drops to sustained release drug formulations.

New route of drug administration to improve its efficiency is another important driver for the uveitis treatment market with advent of intravitreal inserts and biologic agents progressively utilized for uveitis treatment. By improvements in molecular science, more therapeutic approach and methodologies have been applied to control ocular aggravation caused by uveitis, which are relied upon to impact the uveitis treatment market.

Infection remains the key source of uveitis in developing nations, such as India, and others. Whereas, in developed countries, idiopathic uveitis, an organ-specific immune inflammatory process, has been touted as the prime source of the disease. Infectious uveitis accounts for considerable revenue shares of more than 85% in the market owing to increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases in developing countries. ~57% of the total revenues of uveitis treatment market is accounted by anterior uveitis, followed by posterior uveitis. The prevalence of the former is observed to be higher across all the regions, as indicated by surveys.

R&D Efforts Focusing on Non-steroidal Injectables

Uveitis treatment drugs manufacturers are concentrating on developing technologically advanced products as well as novel drug formulations that can reduce uveitis and allow ophthalmologist to offer improve ophthalmic treatment and patient care. Major players in uveitis treatment are focusing on introducing steroid implants, which is proving out to be significantly accepted for drug delivery in case of noninfectious posterior uveitis.

Moreover, key players are increasingly inclined towards developing drug formulations, which act as an adjuvant therapy for uveitis treatment. Adjuvant immunosuppressing agents in uveitis treatment are frequently been used these days, which has shown better results in the past. Companies are investing in research and development activities to develop non-steroidal injectable for uveitis treatment as corticosteroids have a potential side effects in long term use.

Limited First Line Drugs Continue to Obstruct Market Growth

Incidences of adverse effects related to uveitis treatment medication such as irritation, watery eyes, and others are increasing among patients. These factors are becoming major challenges for healthcare professionals and institutions as few studies regarding the efficacy of agents used for treating uveitis are present. Moderate prevalence and very limited first line drugs are other challenges for the growth of the uveitis treatment market.

Moreover, eye care products for uveitis treatment need unique manufacturing process for making products appropriately aligned with GMP regulations for sterile products. Since formulations are prone to get affected by pathogens present in the environment, they are formulated under highly protected area, which poses a major challenge facing manufacturers to fulfil the criteria as mentioned in GMP and other regulatory guidelines. Additionally, poor primary medicinal services infrastructure, absence of awareness about eye disorders, and absence of medical coverage in developing nations are additionally discouraging the uveitis treatment market.

North America’s Primacy in Uveitis Treatment Market to Prevail

North America will continue to be the prominent regional market for uveitis treatment due to rising burden of increasing prevalence of infectious uveitis and growing elderly population. North America holds significant market share in the uveitis treatment market with ~33% of total revenue and is expected to grow with a CAGR 6.0% in the forecasted period. On the other hand, Europe represents second most lucrative region in the uveitis treatment market and is expected to grow 5.9% in the forecasted period with ~27% of market share due to growing R&D initiatives as well as rising healthcare expenditure in this region.

Leading Market Players Yearning for Extended Footprint in Global Market

Allergan. Inc., Novartis AG; Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and AbbVie Inc.; are among the leading market players in the uveitis treatment market. Other manufactures, such as Eyegate Pharmaceuticals and Alimera Science Inc, are increasing their footprint in developed and emerging economies globally. They continue to dominate the market landscape of uveitis treatment due to investment in research and development, product diversification, and strategic partnerships and acquisitions in order to enhance product and customer base.

In Sept 2019, Alimera launched ILUVIEN in Germany, is the second country in Europe, in which ILUVIEN is now commercially available to be prescribed to patients suffering from Non Infectious Posterior Uveitis (NIPU). In Feb 2019, Alimera Science received approval for ILUVIEN from Ministry of Health in Lebanon. MEAgate is the ILUVIEN distributor for Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen. In Feb 2018, DEXYCU (dexamethasone intraocular suspension) 9% of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Analysts’ Viewpoint

A comprehensive view of the uveitis treatment market has led our analysts to conclude that, the market is growing at an impressive rate, with North America and Europe holding a large chunk of the global uveitis treatment market and its treatment, cause, and diseases type. The increasing uveitis treatment market due to increase in the number of patients suffering from uveitis and other eye disorders and increase in the prevalence of infectious uveitis in developing countries are spurring the growth of the uveitis treatment market. Strong financial position and new product development of key market players will also give impetus to the uveitis treatment market.

Companies with research and development capabilities and technological prowess will gather momentum and profitability in the uveitis treatment market. Leading players who are leveraging technology and approved novel products will continue to grow exponentially and have a vast market revenue share.