Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market Snapshot (2023 to 2033)

The global Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer market size is expected to be valued at US$ 38.69 Billion in 2023. With the increasing health concern among people for extended indications of existing immunotherapies, the overall demand for Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.26% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 112.43 Billion by 2033.

According to the analysis of Future Market Insights, the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market is expected to fuel over the analysis period, attributed to the factors such as the growth of a number of FDA approvals for clinical therapy with checkpoints (PD1/PDL1) inhibitors. For instance, six anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAbs (monoclonal antibodies) have received approval as of December 2020, with additional indications covering 19 different cancer types and two tissue-agnostic diseases. Also, the key developments in the market include the development of monoclonal antibodies for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Additionally, factors such as technological innovations, advancements in cancer screening procedures, and a rise in the prevalence of cancer, are other factors that are projected to propel the demand of the market over the forecast period. Moreover, greater government initiatives to fight cancer, a rise in public awareness, as well as rising healthcare expenses are other factors that will augment the revenue share of the market in the near future. Also, high efficacy and superior treatment outcome-based PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are in high demand in severe cancer treatments.

PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors market holds nearly 26% market value share of the US$ 140 Billion oncology drugs market in 2021. Further, as early diagnosis remains the cornerstone of cancer control, the rising cancer awareness programs are expected to fuel the support and attention, early diagnosis, as well as treatment as well as palliative care for the population facing cancer diseases.

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Demand Analysis (2018 to 2022) Vs Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global demand for Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer is projected to increase at a CAGR of 11.26% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2033, reaching a total of US$ 112.43 Billion in 2033, according to a report from Future Market Insights (FMI). From 2018 to 2022, sales witnessed significant growth, registering a CAGR of 5.5%.

According to Future Market Insights, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer market was valued at US$ 34.77 Billion in 2022.

The key factors leading to the market growth include the geriatric population across the globe, as well as a rapid increase in the global prevalence of several cancers, mainly in emerging and developed economies, which is expected to boost market growth in the forthcoming years.

For instance, as the World Health Organization reports, cancer has become a primary cause of death globally. As per the updated release of Globocan report released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in December 2020, the global burden of cancer has risen to 19.3 million cases and deaths by cancer have increased to 10 million in 2020. Thus, an upsurge in the volume of the patient pool leads to a greater demand for the market, which is accelerating the growth of the global market during the analysis period.

Leading industry players are focusing on the development and launch of novel PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to treat various types of cancers. This escalated the availability of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapeutic in the market is expected to boost the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market.

Which Drivers underpin Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Industry Expansion?

Rise in Incidence of Cancer Globally to Fuel the Market Growth

The rise in the prevalence of cancer around the world is a major factor that will escalate the growth of the global checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market in the coming years. For instance, these checkpoint inhibitors are significantly used as front-line treatments for several types of cancer. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for around ten million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. The most common cancers include breast, lung, colon and rectum, and prostate cancers. Thus, there is an increase in demand for checkpoint inhibitors globally.

There are various novel therapies, which have been approved in recent years. In addition, there is a gap between the demand and supply of these therapies, which has led to a huge unmet need. This, in turn, has given vendors an opportunity to conduct studies on drugs such as checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, the increasing approvals of these inhibitors are expected to increase their demand, which is anticipated to fuel the growth of the market.

Increase in Geriatric Population to Accelerate the Market Growth

The rise in cases of the geriatric population globally is projected to fuel the growth of the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market over the analysis period. For instance, as per the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the elderly (people aged 65 years and more) are 11 times more likely to develop cancer, when compared to younger people. According to the United Nations, there are over 703 million people aged 65 or older, a number that is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050. According to the latest estimates and projections from UN DESA’s Population Division, one in six people in the world will be over the age of 65 by 2050, up from 1 in 11 in 2019.

The rise in research and development activities is expected to offer significant lucrative avenues for players in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market. For instance, market players have been increasingly investing in Research and Development activities, in order to meet the increasing demand. For instance, researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center are paving the way in developing novel immunotherapies called anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 for people with advanced melanomas. The aim of the therapy is not to kill cancer cells directly, but to block a pathway, that protects tumor cells from components of the immune system that are capable and ready to fight cancer.

An increase in awareness among people about immune checkpoint inhibitors is projected to provide significant growth prospects for players in the global checkpoint inhibitor market. For instance, with the increase in awareness among people, the demand for these inhibitors is also increasing at a rapid pace globally.

Sabyasachi Ghosh

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Which Factors are limiting the Growth of Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market?

Stringent Government Regulations to Restrain the Market Growth

Globally, several laws have been introduced to monitor the quality as well as the effectiveness of inhibitors. The regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, as biologics progress through clinical trials and to commercialization. Due to the nature of biologics, which are produced by living cells, the process and the product must be validated as well as strictly monitored against critical quality attributes (CQAs), throughout the manufacturing process, not just at the end as for chemistry-based drugs. This creates hurdles to getting regulatory approval for the biologics, which in turn is expected to impede the growth of the market.

Further, cancer treatment can cause many side effects, such as depression, tiredness, and trouble eating. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society describe many of these problems and offer tips for preventing or coping with them. Several side effects can happen months or years after treatment. Hence, the risk of complications associated with the treatment is another factor that will hamper the market growth.

High Cost of Inhibitors to Limit the Market Growth

Cancer treatment costs create significant economic challenges for healthcare providers as well as patients, because of the impact they have on patient safety, quality of care, and overall healthcare. The cost of cancer treatment is high, mainly due to laboratory tests, hospitalization, and the administration of novel checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1 and PD-L1) inhibitor therapeutics. The treatment cost of these therapeutics depends on the stage of cancer. In addition, the high cost is leading to a rise in the preference for alternative treatment options such as surgeries.

For instance, on average, the cost of cancer treatment in India is around INR 503,118 (US$ 6,300) with a minimum expense of INR 90,561 (US$ 1,134) and a maximum cost of INR 27,67,149 (USD 34,650). Also, the cost of available checkpoint inhibitors is high. Thus, the high cost associated with cancer treatment is a major factor that will restrain the treatment adoption rate especially in developing regions.

Region-wise Insights

Will North America Continue Dominance in the Global Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market?

Favorable Initiatives by Regulatory Authorities in the Region to Fuel the Market Growth

The Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market in North America is expected to accumulate the highest market share of 39% in 2023.

Factors such as favorable initiatives by the regulatory authorities in the region, especially in the USA, coupled with the increasing prevalence of cancer are expected to boost the growth of the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market in North America. For instance, these inhibitors are used to treat a variety of cancer. As per the American Cancer Society, in 2022, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 cancer deaths in the USA. This in turn is anticipated to augment the market’s revenue share in the region.

The USA is estimated to account for around 99.2% of the North America Checkpoint inhibitors market in 2022. The significant share in the US is mainly attributed to the rising incidence of several chronic diseases such as urothelial carcinomas, lung cancers, skin cancer, and diabetes in the region, which demand efficient treatment.

For instance, according to a report from the American Cancer Society (2020), lung cancer is the second leading cancer resulting in 135,720 deaths in men as well as women. The numbers also report that around 84% of all lung cancers are NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) and 13% (small cell lung cancer) in the USA, which is expected to continue in the forthcoming years, leading to greater demand for checkpoint Inhibitors thus, fueling the market in the region. The region is expected to hold the highest CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period.

How Will the Growth of the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market unfold in Asia Pacific?

Increasing Government Engagement to Surge Cancer Diagnosis in the Region to Fuel the Market Growth

The Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market in Asia Pacific is expected to accumulate the highest market share of 37% in 2023.

The regional growth is attributed to the factors such as the high incidence of cancer, growing government engagement to surge cancer diagnosis, and growing adoption of inorganic growth strategies like collaborations, acquisitions, and mergers by major players functioning in the market introduction of new immunotherapies with lesser side effects, and increasing geriatric population in this region, especially in India. For instance, as per the cancer report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s cancer cases could increase by 12% in the next five years, with 1.5 million people projected to suffer from the non-communicable disease by 2025, up from 1.39 million in 2020. This is a major factor that will stimulate market growth.

Besides, China is expected to hold a significant growth rate over the analysis period, attributed to factors including a large population base, and major investment from private and public sectors into healthcare infrastructure development. Also, the growing interest in immune checkpoint inhibitors, coupled with the increase in the number of cancer cases, is anticipated to aid the development of the regional market in the near future. The region is expected to hold the highest CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

By Application, which Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Category will remain prominent?

Non-Small Cell Lung Segment to beat Competition in Untiring Market

On the basis of type, the global Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer market is dominated by the Non-Small Cell Lung Segment, which accounts for a share of 37%. The segment is expected to hold a CAGR of 11.1% over the analysis period.

This significant share of non-small cell lung cancer has encouraged the majority of major players to concentrate on continuous innovation of advanced therapeutics and improving the efficacy of the present therapeutics.

Additionally, a growing number of diagnoses of NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer), and the rising awareness in the nations of the developing and developed markets are supporting the growth of the non-small cell lung cancer segment.

By End-User, which Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Category dominates?

Hospital Pharmacies Segment to Drive the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market

Based on the End-User, the hospital pharmacies segment is expected to witness a significant growth of 48.3% in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period, expanding at a rapid rate of 11.0% CAGR over the analysis period.

The segment’s growth is attributed to the factors such as large-scale orders, robust supply chains as well as attempts by hospital facilities to sustain large-scale inventories for cancer therapy applications. Moreover, the presence of advanced equipment and the availability of well-developed infrastructure adds to the development of the segment.

Further, the growing patient admission to hospitals for cancer treatment is surging the use of checkpoint inhibitors in hospitals, which in turn is anticipated to accelerate the sales in hospital pharmacies.

The Start-up Ecosystem: How key Players are opening Frontiers for Future Growth?

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market start-up players are adopting various marketing strategies such as new product launches, geographical expansion, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and collaboration to identify the interest of potential patients and create a larger customer base. For instance,

• Founded in 2015, ALX Oncology is a developer of immuno-oncology therapies for cancer treatment. The lead product candidate ALX148 is a checkpoint inhibitor that comprises an affinity CD47 binding domain of SIRPα linked to an inactive Fc region of a human immunoglobulin. It binds CD47 and inhibits the CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway.
• Established in 2015, another start-up named Hummingbird Bioscience is a developer of antibody drugs for cancer treatment. It is involved in developing antibodies by using systems immunology and computational structural biology technology. The company is using platform technology for the design and development of therapeutic antibodies. The pipelined products are HMBD-001 a monoclonal antibody and HMBD-002 an anti-vista monoclonal antibody for cancer treatment.
• Founded in 2016, Shattuck Labs is a developer of an immunotherapy platform for oncology and other diseases. The company has developed ARC (Agonist Redirected Checkpoints), which hinges on the development of bispecific biologics that simultaneously block candidate checkpoint molecules in cancer while also stimulating TNF superfamily costimulatory receptors on T cells and innate cells. The company claims that ARC is adaptable to most of the checkpoint targets currently in clinical development.

Who are the Leading Players in the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market?

Prominent players in the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer market are Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Merck, Genentech/Hoffmann-La Roche, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Merck KGaA, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen Research and Development, LLC., 4D pharma plc., 4SC AG, OncoSec Medical, Mirati Therapeutics, Ascentage Pharma Group, and ENB Therapeutics, Inc., among others.

Recent Developments:

• In October 2021, Merck announced the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab. The therapy is used for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
• In January 2020, Novartis International AG acquired The Medicines Company. This acquisition helped Novartis in the treatment of the world’s leading cause of mortality and disability with a vaccine-like approach.
• In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Roche’s Tecentriq, as a first-line monotherapy for certain people with metastatic non-small cell lung.

Report Scope

Key Segments Covered in the Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Industry Analysis

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market by Type:

• PD-1 Inhibitors
• PD-L1 Inhibitors

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market by Application:

• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Kidney Cancer
• Melanoma
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Others

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market by End-User:

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World