GlobalData: Glaucoma market to grow to $2.5 billion in the seven major markets by 2033
The glaucoma market across the seven major markets (7MM) – US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan – is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1% from $2.1 billion in 2023 to $2.5 billion in 2033, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report, “Glaucoma: Seven Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis,” reveals that the projected growth in the glaucoma market during the forecast period will be primarily driven by an aging population within the 7MM, which is expected to contribute to a rising prevalence of glaucoma. Additionally, market growth will be driven by the launch of pipeline products.
GlobalData predicts that six late-stage pipeline products are set to enter the glaucoma market during the forecast period. The pipeline features prostaglandin analogues, intracameral implants, novel mechanism of actions (MOA) and new drug delivery systems.
Dr Shireen Mohammad, Senior Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Two pipeline products—Nicox’s NCX 470 (bimatoprost grenod) and Ocular Therapeutix’s OTX-TIC—are expected to lead among pipeline drugs, with projected sales of $120 million and $111 million, respectively. Overall, GlobalData estimates that drugs launching during the forecast period will represent 18% of the global glaucoma market by 2033.”
Poor patient compliance
Key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by GlobalData indicated that the level of unmet need in the glaucoma market is generally low, given its status as a well-established market with a broad selection of branded and generic drugs. However, KOLs and prescribers surveyed by GlobalData highlighted poor patient compliance as the primary unmet need in this area.
Many pharmaceutical companies are addressing patient compliance issues by developing implants that eliminate the need for daily eye drop administration. Initially pioneered by Aerie Pharmaceuticals, smaller companies like Ocular Therapeutix have followed with their pipeline product, OTX-TIC, which is an intracameral implant designed to deliver medication directly into the eye, addressing potential non-compliance issues associated with topical treatments.
Mohammad continues: “KOLs have expressed enthusiasm about this shift, emphasizing the growing need to optimize the delivery of existing treatments rather than focusing solely on creating novel therapies beyond IOP lowering. However, the main challenges surrounding the success of implants include patient willingness to undergo eye injections multiple times a year and concerns about the rate of drug release, despite trial data supporting consistent dosing.”
GlobalData has identified additional unmet needs in glaucoma treatment, including therapies with enhanced intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering capabilities, drugs with neuroprotective or neuroregenerative properties, and advancements in disease diagnosis and monitoring. Among these, the most critical is the need for greater IOP-lowering efficacy.
First PGA to target multiple receptors
Several pipeline products in the glaucoma market are expected to offer enhanced IOP-lowering capabilities once marketed. Many of these products remain within conventional drug classes, such as PGAs, with sepetaprost being a notable example. Santen’s sepetaprost acts as an agonist for both the prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha receptors, making it the first PGA to target multiple receptors. Trial data has shown it significantly reduces IOP with superior efficacy and safety compared to conventional latanoprost.
Many pharmaceutical companies in recent years have focused on developing products outside of the conventional classes for glaucoma treatment, hoping to provide a new MOA to reduce IOP that can be utilized adjunctively to existing treatments. This includes two drugs currently in the pipeline for glaucoma treatment: the rho kinase inhibitor pH Pharma’s sovesudil targets neurons in the central visual pathway, working to prevent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis and D. Western Therapeutics’ LRRK2-targeting product, H-1337, a kinase crucial for achieving sustained IOP reduction. As a multi-kinase inhibitor, H-1337 targets several protein kinases, enhancing its therapeutic potential.
Mohammad concludes: “The glaucoma market is expected to experience modest growth during the forecast period. However, the crowded and highly genericized nature of the glaucoma market represents significant competition for new therapies.”
Source: GlobalData