Revamped Therapies Preventing Visual Impairment Primed to Revolutionize US Retinal Therapeutics Market

The need for effective and patient-friendly treatment of retinal diseases to avoid visual impairment is driving the retinal therapeutics market in the US. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors dominate the market as they are a safe and effective option to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Although highly efficacious, existing VEGF treatments require frequent, invasive intravitreal injections. Thus, growth opportunities exist for new therapies with comparable efficacy but improved dosing and administration.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s (http://www.lifesciences.frost.com) Analysis of the US Retinal Therapeutics Market finds the market earned revenue of $2.45 billion in 2012 and estimates this to almost double to $4.15 billion in 2017.

“Despite the popularity of VEGF inhibitors in the US, issues of patient preference and compliance, the risk of infection, as well as side effects, such as floaters, increased intraocular pressure, and inflammation of the eye exist,” said Frost & Sullivan Life Sciences Senior Industry Analyst Debbie Toscano. “There is also a lack of substantive long-term data on the ability of VEGF therapy to prevent visual impairment.”

In addition, the rapid uptake of low-cost Avastin, supplied by compounding pharmacies, is challenging the VEGF inhibitors market. Although the US Food and Drug Administration has drawn attention to safety issues with compounding pharmacies, physicians are accustomed to the inherent risks associated with using compounded Avastin, and patients too value the affordability of the drug.

“Regardless of the widespread off-label usage of Avastin for retinal diseases, there is still significant scope for market penetration through innovative formulations and drug delivery methods,” pointed out Toscano. “For instance, market participants could roll out add-on therapies, which can be combined with any VEGF inhibitor to boost efficacy. New treatments that can be administered orally or topical drops too would revolutionize treatment and garner significant market adoption in place of intravitreal injections.”

Analysis of the US Retinal Therapeutics Market is part of the Life Sciences Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan’s related research services include Analysis of the Global Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics Market, Global Analysis of MicroRNA Tools and Services Market, Global Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market, and Breakthroughs in Ophthalmic Devices and Drug Delivery Technologies. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Connect with Frost & Sullivan on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, SlideShare, and LinkedIn, for the latest news and updates. For more information on this research, please email Jennifer Carson, Corporate Communications, at jennifer.carson@frost.com.