Report Says Global Hyaluronic Acid Market $2.5 Billion by 2017

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.

MRG’s report highlights the most significant treatment trend being the continued worldwide shift to premium-priced shorter treatment regimens, which offer more convenience for the patient and increase patient compliance with treatment. While 5-injection treatments are still the leading choice for patients globally, the number is skewed by Japan, where more than 80 percent of such procedures were performed in 2011. One- and 3-injection treatments will continue to rise as a proportion of total treatments.

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