Immunology Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Drug Class (Monoclonal antibody (mAb), Fusion Proteins, Immunosuppressants, Polyclonal antibody (pAb), and Others); By Disease Indication (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Plaque Psoriasis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection, and Others); By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies), Regional

The global immunology market size was USD 85.74 billion in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with immunology drugs witnessing a negative impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a lower growth of 4.2% in 2020 compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 92.00 billion in 2021 to USD 158.69 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 8.1% during the 2021-2028 period. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Immunology drugs or agents modify the immune response, either by enhancing or suppressing the immune system. They are used to fight infections, prevent or treat certain autoimmune or immunological disorders.

The rise in awareness regarding immunological diseases in both developing and developed nations and the growing prevalence of immunological disorders due to environmental factors are the critical reasons propelling the growth of the global market. Moreover, existing market players operating in the global market focus on constant innovation and upgrading their product portfolio for better treatment outcomes for the patients. This is anticipated to augment the market growth during the forecast period.

Robust Efforts by Key Players Led COVID-19 Pandemic to Have a Minimal Impact on Immunology Market Growth

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a minimal impact on the sales generated by the immunology drugs. The majority of the market players did not report any drop in the sales for products related to this market during the market. This was attributable to one major factor such as the pharmaceutical companies significantly improved their supply chain management, enhanced the capabilities of their R&D, and increased investment in manufacturing management and quality control. For instance, in the financial year 2020, AbbVie Inc. reported an increase of 13.2% in the sales generated from the drugs, as compared to the prior year.

However, few market players such as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd witnessed a decline in their revenues generated from drugs in the immunology segment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in slower growth of the market during 2019-2020. Moreover, the slower growth of the market is partially also attributed to the loss of patents of blockbuster drugs during the past few years, postponement of regulatory approvals for new drugs and biosimilars during the pandemic, slight disruptions in the supply chain, and delayed or canceled patient visits to hospitals and clinics.

LATEST TRENDS

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report.

Growing Penetration of Biosimilars to Surge the Market

Due to its successful clinical use, the growing demand of biological drugs is motivating players to invest in the launch of biosimilars, the highly similar copies of biological drugs, in the market. The use of these biological drugs is associated with higher costs as compared to the other drug therapies. Hence, this creates opportunities for the market players to introduce biosimilars, which have comparatively lower costs.

• For instance, in February 2021, Sandoz Canada announced its adalimumab (HUMIRA) biosimilar, Hyrimoz, in Canada. Hyrimoz is approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and adult uveitis.

Moreover, the expected patent expiry of the top-selling biological drugs also presents opportunities for the key market players to invest in the research and development of biosimilars, thus augmenting the market growth. For instance, the key HUMIRA patent expired in Europe in 2017. This has led to numerous biosimilar launches by the market players over these years.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Prevalence of Autoimmune Disorders to Propel Market Growth

Various environmental factors, including exposure to toxic chemicals, stress, dietary components, gut dysbiosis, and infections, give rise to a large patient pool suffering from autoimmune diseases.

• For instance, according to a research article by the National Stem Cell Foundation, nearly 4% of the world’s population is affected by at least one of more than 80 different autoimmune diseases.

Market players actively invest in the research and development of these drugs due to their huge demand worldwide.

• For instance, in September 2020, Lupin launched a generic rheumatoid arthritis drug, Leflunomide, in the U.S. This is projected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Additionally, rising awareness of autoimmune disorders in both developed and developing nations and potential pipeline candidates are anticipated to boost the market growth during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Treatment and Adverse Effects Associated with Product to Restrict Market Growth

Despite the increasing prevalence of immunological disorders in key regions, certain factors restrict the market growth during the forecast period. High cost and adverse effects associated with these drugs are the two such factors. The high price of biologics is partly due to the costly manufacturing facilities and the large investment in research and development necessary to take biologics through clinical trials and FDA approval processes.

• For instance, according to the data reported by the New York Times from SSR Health, a research firm, the price of Humira has gone up from about USD 19,000 a year (in 2012) to more than USD 38,000 a year (in 2019) per patient, after rebates.

Additionally, these drugs are associated with various adverse effects such as infections, allergic reactions, muscle aches, fever, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, etc. Hence, the factors mentioned above and the limited reimbursement policies in developing regions hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

SEGMENTATION

By Drug Class Analysis

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

Immunosuppressants to Grow at a Faster Pace

Based on drug class, the global market is segmented into the monoclonal antibody (mAb), fusion proteins, immunosuppressants, polyclonal antibody (pAb), and others.

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) held the dominating share in 2020. The dominance is attributable to the established clinical efficiency of monoclonal antibodies such as adalimumab, rituximab, and the treatment of rare and chronic conditions and autoimmune diseases. In addition to this, a higher number of approvals for mAb’s for treatment of various conditions favor segmental growth.

The immunosuppressants segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the strong focus on R&D of leading market players to establish the increasing number of regulatory approvals for these drugs. Moreover, increasing the adoption of immunosuppressants in developing nations due to their higher treatment efficacy contributes to its faster growth rate.

By Disease Indication Analysis

Rising Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis to Lead to Segment Dominance

Based on disease indication, the global market for immunology is segmented into rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, prophylaxis of organ rejection, and others.

The rheumatoid arthritis segment dominated the market in 2020. The increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and the rising number of patients undergoing treatment will lead to the rise in demand for drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, according to various regional and national databases, the global incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is around 3 cases per 10,000, whereas the global prevalence is an estimated 1% to 2% of the total population.

On the other hand, limited drug approvals for ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, other conditions, and the comparatively high cost of treatment with currently marketed drugs limit the adoption of these drugs among the patient population, especially in emerging countries.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Hospital Pharmacies Segment to Hold Highest Market Share

Based on the distribution channel, the market includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies.

The hospital pharmacies segment held the lion’s share in the global immunology market share in 2020 due to the increasing number of hospitalization and visits to physicians by patients suffering from immunological or autoimmune disorders and well-established healthcare infrastructure.

On the other hand, the online pharmacies segment is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Evolving regulatory policies for online sales of prescription drugs in developed countries, combined with the entry of leading e-pharmacy players in countries such as Germany, the U.K., and others, leads to a shift of patient preference towards online pharmacies.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

To get more information on the regional analysis of this market, Request a Free sample

North America stood at USD 46.17 billion in 2020 and is expected to dominate the global market of immunology. The presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure, higher prevalence of chronic conditions, and comparatively higher diagnosis and treatment rates among the patient population in the U.S. are factors responsible for the dominance of the region in the global market.

Europe is anticipated to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of autoimmune conditions and increasing drug approvals in the region. For instance, according to the British Society for Immunology, in 2018, an estimated 400,000 people in the U.K. were suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and an estimated 4 million people in the country were suffering from an autoimmune condition.

The market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher CAGR due to the large pool of patients suffering from autoimmune disorders and the increasing demand for preventive care.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to witness comparatively slower growth owing to their developing healthcare infrastructure and lack of favorable reimbursement policies. However, growing awareness among people coupled with higher demand for treatment options among patients is expected to propel the demand for these drugs in these regions during the forecast period. 

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strong Portfolio and Growth Strategies by Key Players to Improve Business Outcome

The current market scenario is consolidated with players such as AbbVie Inc., Janssen Global Services, LLC, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and Novartis AG. Major players are constantly focusing on research and development of these drugs and strategic acquisition of other domestic players to strengthen their market position

• For instance, in August 2020, Johnson & Johnson Private Limited acquired Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Momenta), a company that discovers and develops novel therapies for immune-mediated diseases, intending to provide Janssen Global Services the opportunity to expand its drug portfolio.

Moreover, other players like Astellas Pharma Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, etc. are continuously engaged in the development of novel drugs and strengthening their distribution channel across the globe to establish their footprints in emerging regions.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Pfizer Inc. (New York, U.S.)


• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Basel, Switzerland)


• AbbVie, Inc. (North Chicago, U.S.)


• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (New York City, U.S.)


• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (New Jersey, U.S.)


• Novartis AG (Basel, Switzerland)


• Janssen Global Services, LLC (Raritan, New Jersey, U.S.)


• Amgen Inc. (California, U.S.)


• Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo, Japan)


• UCB SA (Brussels, Belgium)


• Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, U.S.)


• Other Prominent Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2020 – U.S. FDA approved Janssen Global Services, LLC’s STELARA (ustekinumab) to treat pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.


• May 2020 - AbbVie, Inc. acquired Allergan Plc, intending to expand its presence globally and strengthen its position in the pharmaceuticals market

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Immunology Market

View Full Infographic

To get information on various segments, share your queries with us

The global immunology market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market. It focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, drug class, disease indications, and distribution channels. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation