The osteoporosis market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% from 2023 to 2032, reaching $17.9bn across the seven major markets (7MM: US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan) by the end of this forecast period, according to leading data and analytics company GlobalData’s recent report: Osteoporosis: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis.
The major factors include the effects of ageing populations increasing patient population sizes, as well as the increasing use of anabolic therapies, which are typically more expensive than low-cost bisphosphonates.
Osteoporosis is the prevailing metabolic bone disorder globally, being the primary cause of fragility fractures.
It manifests as a systemic skeletal condition characterised by reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone structure, increasing susceptibility to fractures, particularly in the spine, hip, distal forearm, and proximal humerus.
These fractures significantly contribute to morbidity, often requiring prolonged recovery and full-time care for many patients.
The development of osteoporosis typically extends several years before resulting in a fracture, often prompting medical attention.
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By GlobalData
Notably, more than two-thirds of vertebral fractures occur without pain, complicating early detection.
Prominent symptoms include back pain from fractured vertebrae, which can lead to visible deformity or reduced mobility.
Additionally, the condition can lead to stooped posture, known as kyphosis, as vertebral fractures cause the spine to collapse and bend forward, further impacting the individual’s physical functionality and quality of life.
Approved medications for osteoporosis fall into two main categories: antiresorptive and anabolic.
Antiresorptive medications, including bisphosphonates, denosumab, and estrogen therapies, work by reducing the rate of bone resorption, slowing the breakdown of bone tissue, which preserves bone density and strength.
Anabolic medications such as teriparatide stimulate bone formation to a greater extent than bone resorption.
While approved osteoporosis drug therapies are generally effective and multiple classes of therapy options are available, GlobalData’s interviews with key opinion leaders highlighted poor compliance rates associated with current osteoporosis treatments, which is a significant unmet need in the disease landscape.
The low pain point associated with osteoporosis can lead to lowered drug compliance as many patients believe their treatment is less important compared to other medications.
Several osteoporosis drugs involve daily oral or subcutaneous injections, which are highly burdensome, especially in elderly patient populations.
Additionally, GlobalData reports the lack of osteoporosis drugs with reliable long-term safety profiles as another serious unmet need.
Multiple osteoporosis medications are associated with adverse events; in particular, osteonecrosis of the jaw is a known side effect of bisphosphonates.
While serious adverse events are rare, these side effects have impacted patient perception, resulting in many individuals being unwilling to initiate treatment.
GlobalData reports pharmaceutical players should explore nanoparticle delivery systems as a potential solution for developing osteoporosis drugs with improved safety profiles.
Most existing treatments do not specifically deliver molecules to hard tissue, therefore nano-drug delivery mechanisms could offer increased precision, which may lead to fewer side effects.
Looking ahead, the late-stage osteoporosis pipeline is relatively limited.
However, this may provide opportunities for pharmaceutical players to expand into the osteoporosis space.
GlobalData predicts Entera Bio’s EB613, the first oral formulation of teriparatide, to enter the US market during the forecast period, resulting in estimated sales of $1.5bn by 2033.
Having shown success in clinical trials by increasing bone mineral density in treated patients, EB613 has the potential to leverage the rising use of anabolic therapies for treating osteoporosis across the 7MM, a market trend projected to continue during the forecast period.
Additionally, GlobalData reports that the development of biosimilars is a strong trend demonstrated in osteoporosis research.
By taking advantage of the loss of patent protection for several osteoporosis drugs, biosimilars offer cost-effective alternatives to existing therapies, ensuring wider patient access and fostering competitive market dynamics.
With steady market growth anticipated throughout the forecast period, pharmaceutical companies are urged to take advantage of the increasing uptake of anabolic therapies, and to encourage constructive conversations with patient organisations to enhance patient education about osteoporosis, aiming to improve compliance rates and health outcomes.