- Biologics gaining share in the market
- Lack of acne specialists causes many to delay treatment
- British patients given early access to dermatology drug
In 2022, the dermatology market will be valued at $33.7 billion globally, GBI Research forecasts. In 2015, the market was valued at $20 billion. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%.
The most common types of disorders in the world are dermatological conditions. In the United States alone, one-third of the population suffers from at least one dermatological condition.
Since the start of the century, the dermatology market has been saturated with established products. This has slowly begun to change as advancements have been made in the understanding of the disease pathways. A biologics treatment for psoriasis has been a clinical and commercial success. This has renewed pharmaceutical companies’ interest in the dermatology market.
Patients Delaying Treatment
In the UK, the lack of qualified dermatology specialists is causing many patients to delay treatment, the BBC reports. There are at least 200 open dermatological positions in the country.
This has put stress on the National Health Service and has caused a long wait time for appointments.
Just as the number of dermatologists has dropped, the number of acne patients has. In 2015-2016, there were 6,383, up nearly 4,000 patients from 2010-2011.
Public awareness of acne treatments and vanity has caused this increase.
Patients Granted Early Drug Access
Meanwhile, British dermatology patients have been granted early access to an atopic dermatitis drug by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. The drug, dupilumab, manufactured by Sanofi, is still experimental.
Atopic dermatitis is a common but severe form of eczema. It is characterized by inflamed dry skin which can become infected. It is painful and can affect a person’s sleep, concentration and self esteem. Prior to the development of dupilumab, there were very few treatments available other than immunosuppressants and topical treatments.
Approval makes the drug available to adult atopic dermatitis patients who have not responded well to other treatments.
“Allergy UK supports patients with a range of allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, and we see the impact this debilitating, life-altering condition can have on people’s day-to-day functioning, making simple tasks such as dressing or bathing difficult. These individuals have suffered for most of their lives with widespread inflamed skin, intense itch and sleep disturbances, often causing symptoms of anxiety, depression and a sense of isolation.” Carla Jones, Chief Executive, Allergy UK told Yahoo Finance.
- Market size and year-on-year growth is determined by a variety of factors including the increasing prevalence of acute skin conditions, chronic skin conditions, skin infections and other dermatology diseases as well as product innovation and the increasing preference for technologically advanced services.
- There are 801 dermatology products in the research pipeline. Biologics represents 37% even though this molecule type is only available in a small fraction of marketed products.
- The conditions with the highest prevalence in the pipeline are acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.