In short
Global device market intelligence company Millennium Research Group (MRG), tells us that the patient pool for hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplementation will continue to expand globally through 2017. The company says rising rates of osteoarthritis and obesity will lead to moderate growth in the market to nearly $2.5 billion.
Background
So-called viscosupplementation involves a course of injections of hyaluronic acid into particularly the knee joint. As the descriptor suggests, this treatment is intended to enhance the lubrication and protection roles normally fulfilled by synovial fluid in the joint. It is used primarily to reduce pain, but is also thought to aid in reducing cartilage degeneration and as such may be preventive of early joint replacement intervention.
MRG says that while HA viscosupplementation will extend toward use for other joints in the body, as physicians become more comfortable performing the procedure on non-knee areas, although the therapy has been around long enough for one to wonder whether this would have happened by now if it was going to. Maybe it’s going to take more studies, which is why manufacturers are investing in non-knee clinical trials to provide more support.
Company comments
“Despite the diverse competitive landscape for these products, two companies have captured over half the global market,” said MRG Analyst Kristina Vidug. “While they both sell in all three major regions, Seikagu is strongest in Asia Pacific, while Sanofi dominates the United States market.”
Source: Millennium Research Group
Report can be ordered here
published: January 29, 2013 in: Knee, Market Research