Iron Deficiency Anemia Market Growth Anticipated to Fuel at a CAGR of 3.7% by 2030

Anemia is a serious cause of global health loss with over 80% of the total cases diagnosed in developing countries, according to several studies. Anemia is characterized by reduced quality of red blood cells, diminished hemoglobin levels and even altered morphology of red blood cells. The symptoms of the condition vary from weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or poor work productivity and are a result of impaired tissue oxygen delivery. There are many forms of anemia, each with its cause and specific treatment; however, Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia, accounting for over 50% of the total Anemic cases worldwide. DelveInsight’s Iron deficiency anemia epidemiological analysis demonstrated that there were a total of 30,829,734 IDA  prevalent cases in 2020 in the 7MM (the US, EU5 and Japan), which is further anticipated to increase by 2030. 

The condition majorly affects people suffering from chronic conditions such as chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease. Besides, women in their stages of pregnancy or post-delivery are at a higher risk of developing IDA. According to some studies, the condition is correlated with an increased risk of preterm labor, low birth weight and increased chances of child and maternal mortality. Even with a huge health burden and high prevalence, Iron deficiency anemia remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. 

DelveInsight estimates that the present Iron deficiency anemia therapy market is heavily reliant on off-label generics and over-the-counter drugs. The treatment is complex and depends upon the severity of the condition, with an ultimate goal to increase the amount of iron in the patient. The treatment approaches include administration of iron supplements (oral, intravenous), adding iron in diet plans in mild to moderate cases; however, in severe cases, patients go for iron therapy or blood transfusion. Currently, the IDA treatment market mainly offers oral iron therapy, parenteral iron therapy (intravenous (IV) therapies), blood transfusions, surgery, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) (in case of CKD patients), and other available treatment options. 

Although the therapies are readily available and are inexpensive, their patient adherence is a significant concern. Further, all the available treatments in the Iron deficiency anemia market are associated with one of the other side effects, the most common being constipation, dark stools, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Diagnosis of the condition is also challenging as often times the cause of anemia is not clear after performing available tests such as Low hemoglobin (Hg) and hematocrit (Hct), Low mean cellular volume (MCV), Low ferritin, Low serum iron (FE), and several others. With recent studies linking iron deficiency anemia with not only physical problems but also with mental health, there is a call for effective, curative and standard treatments and drugs. 

However, to bridge the gap between available therapies and demand for better patient outcomes, many pharma and biotech companies are working to enhance the Iron deficiency anemia therapy market landscape with novel therapies. Companies like MegaPro Biomedical [MPB-1514 (IOP Injection)] and Nemysis [IDAX (IHAT-02)] are evaluating their novel therapeutic agents in different stages of clinical development. Moreover, companies such as Akebia Therapeutics (Keryx Biopharmaceuticals)/Japan Tobacco (its subsidiary Torii Pharmaceutical) and Shield Therapeutics/Norgine B.V. have recently entered into the IDA market space to tap the huge potential market has to offer.  With R&D in the space gaining momentum, companies and other organizations shifting their focus towards the Anemia market to offer better therapeutic assets; DelveInsight estimates that the Iron deficiency market is expected to witness modest growth over the forecasted period of 2021-30 at a CAGR of 3.7% in the 7MM with the USA occupying the major portion of the loaf. 

However, the Iron deficiency anemia pipeline is not so rich at the moment, with only a few drugs in the late stage of clinical development; this offers an excellent opportunity to pharma and biotech players worldwide to invest and reap the benefits of the IDA market domain. It is believed that the launch of any novel oral drug with less associated side effects, less frequency of dosing, high efficacy, and better GI tolerability with affordable pricing is going to garner much market share in the coming decade. Overall, the IDA market is brimming with opportunities and there is a lot of scope for pharma and healthcare titans to explore and deliver in the market domain. ṣ