Hemoglobinopathies Market Analysis

Global Hemoglobinopathies Market Overview

Hemoglobinopathies are blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and many others. It is considered the most common inherited disease across the globe. Also, nowadays, hemoglobinopathies have become much more common in central and northern Europe, including Germany, due to immigration.

The rising prevalence of hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Hb C, and Hb E is estimated to be the high impact rendering driver of the market. According to the WHO, hemoglobin disorders are endemic in over 60% of the 229 countries affecting over 70% of births. As per the report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, the initial screening of newborns to identify sickle cell disease (SCD) along with other hemoglobin disorders such as, alpha (α) and beta (β) thalassemia have also gained significant attention in recent years due to the change in the US demographics.

Unhygienic and poor healthcare infrastructure are some of the factors attributing to increase in the target population base in low-income regions such as South-East Asia, Mediterranean basin, and African region which will drive the market growth over the forecast period. However, the lack of treatment and diagnosis awareness may hamper the growth of the hemoglobinopathies market during the forecast period.

A class of blood conditions known as hemoglobinopathies includes thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and many others. It is regarded as the most prevalent inherited disease in the world. Additionally, due to immigration, hemoglobinopathies are much more prevalent throughout central and northern parts of Europe, including Germany. The market is predicted to be driven by the increased prevalence of hemoglobin diseases such as thalassemia, Hb C, sickle cell anemia, and Hb E. The market is anticipated to expand due to the increasing incidence of diseases like sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia and a robust product pipeline to receive medical care for hemoglobinopathies.

Lack of awareness, unmet needs in managing sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and the absence of a long-term solution are major contributors to the high frequency of hemoglobinopathies. During the projected period for hemoglobinopathies, there has been an increase in the creation and research for treatments, which has helped the market grow. In addition, several treatments are currently available, including hydroxyurea, ACE inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody drugs. 

Gene therapy and iron chelation therapy are two other treatments. Increased illness prevalence, new screening techniques, and innovative research and development initiatives are anticipated to drive the market share for hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobinopathies are genetic diseases that parents pass on to their children. Mutations in the hemoglobin gene are the cause of hemoglobinopathies.

The two primary kinds of hemoglobinopathies are thalassemia and hemoglobin (Hb) variation, brought on by changes in the hemoglobin gene. The numerous hemoglobinopathies, such as beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and hemoglobin variation, cause numerous health issues. The health issues linked to the condition include vision blur, cardiac issues, decreased growth, gallstones, spleen enlargement, and stroke. The key driver of market expansion is the rise in disease prevalence.

Recent developments in gene editing technology might result in a treatment for hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and -thalassemia. Adenosine base editing may be more efficient for treating sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia than other gene editing techniques like CRISPR/Cas9, according to a study conducted jointly by scientists from St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Massachusetts. 

The scientists discovered that base editing produced more positive outcomes by comparing five alternative gene editing techniques in hematopoietic and progenitor stem cells using Cas9 nucleases or adenine base editors. To potentially give a universal treatment for the condition, the researchers looked to determine if fetal hemoglobin expression might be restored in post-natal red blood cells.

In April 2023, ECHO India, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing India's healthcare capabilities, collaborated with the Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH) to establish a comprehensive program across the state. This effort aims to prevent and manage beta thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. The program commenced today with an intensive two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) and will be implemented as a component of a nationwide joint endeavor.  

The National Hub for ECHO India's program will be established at PGICH, a renowned pediatric clinic. The objective of this initiative is to provide comprehensive training to healthcare professionals nationwide on the prevention and treatment of Beta Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies, with a particular emphasis on remote and underprivileged regions.

In February 2023, Vertex Therapeutics marked the introduction of the initial drug for gene editing using CRISPR technology. This achievement coincided with the company's progress towards finalizing an important submission to the FDA. Vertex predicts that a network consisting of approximately 50 authorized treatment facilities in the United States and 25 in Europe will be adequate for its exagamglogene autotemcel, or exa-cel, gene therapy candidate for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. 

These patients experience frequent hospitalizations each year due to vaso-occlusive crises or rely on regular blood transfusions. In November 2022, Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics initiated the process of submitting exa-cel as a potential treatment for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. Internationally, the regulatory process has been relatively faster as the European Medicines Agency and authorities in the United Kingdom have already validated the documents.

Hemoglobinopathies Market Segmentation

The global hemoglobinopathies market is segmented based on type, treatment, end users, and region.

The global market for hemoglobinopathies, by type, is segmented into thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and other Hb variants diseases. Thalassemia is further classified as alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Based on treatment, the market is classified into stem-cell transplantation, blood transfusions, analgesics, antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, and hydroxyurea. The market by end user has been classified into hospitals and clinics, diagnostics laboratories, and others. The sickle cell disease segment is expected to hold the largest market share of the hemoglobinopathies market owing to the presence of strong product pipelines such as Lent Globin and rising prevalence of sickle cell disease. Also, based on treatment, the blood transfusion segment holds the largest market share owing to significant success rate and increasing adoption of this treatment option.

In the current scope of the study, the segments mentioned above are covered into four global regions, namely, the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

The hemoglobinopathies market in the Americas has further been segmented into North America and South America, with the North American market divided into the US and Canada.

The European hemoglobinopathies market has been segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe has been classified as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The hemoglobinopathies market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The hemoglobinopathies market in the Middle East and Africa has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa.

Hemoglobinopathies Market Key Players

Regional Market Summary

The Americas dominated the global market for hemoglobinopathies owing to the rising geriatric population within the region. As per the data suggested by the American Society of Hematology approximately 70,000 to 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease, the most common form of an inherited blood disorder.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010, the US incidence estimate for sickle cell trait (based on information provided by 13 states) was 73.1 cases per 1,000 black newborns, 3.0 cases per 1,000 white newborns, and 2.2 cases per 1,000 Asian or Pacific Islander newborns. The incidence estimates for Hispanic ethnicity (within 13 states) was 6.9 cases per 1,000 Hispanic newborns.

The rising participation of market players is also strongly impacting the growth of the Americas hemoglobinopathies market. For instance, in 2018, in Europe, Sanofi launched the first approved treatment for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP), bringing a new treatment option to patients who previously had none. In the US, this treatment was approved by the FDA in February 2019.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans, which occurs among about one out of every 365 black or African American births.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to represent a phenomenal market growth throughout the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Hb C, and Hb E.

On the other hand, the Middle East and Africa held the least share in the global hemoglobinopathies market due to the low economic development, especially within the African region.

Hemoglobinopathies Market Segmentation

Global Hemoglobinopathies Market, by Type

Global Hemoglobinopathies Market, by Treatment

Global Hemoglobinopathies Market, by End User