Steady and Sustained Growth in the US and EU Acne Markets Expected Between 2012–2018
The new report, now available on ASDReports, estimates the 2012 pharmacological therapy sales for acne to total approximately $2.3 billion across the six major pharmaceutical markets (6MM) covered within this report: the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The US contributes 91% of these sales, generating an estimated $2.1 billion in 2012.
With $207.0m in sales from the 5EU, Germany was the largest market with an estimated $54.3m in sales in 2012.
By the end of the forecast period in 2018, acne sales are forecast to reach over $2.8 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% over the six-year forecast period. The majority of sales will come from the US, which will maintain its 2012 lead and command 93% of the market in 2018. A substantial amount of growth in that market is attributed to the rapid uptake of Galderma’s Epiduo (benzoyl peroxide and adapalene) for moderate patients and the continued success of isotretinoin. The anticipated launch of AndroScience’s androgen receptor degradation enhancer, ASC-J9, in 2017 will add a new molecular entity to the market for acne for the first time in approximately 30 years. Photocure’s Visonac is also expected to launch in 2017, adding photodynamic therapies to the treatment options for acne patients. Together, these products are expected to add approximately $200m in sales to the acne market in 2018.
Major drivers of growth in the acne market over the forecast period include:
- Launch of AndroScience’s ASC-J9 in 2017, a therapeutic that is highly anticipated in the previously stagnant acne market and will make hormonal therapies available to males with acne. The new report expects that ASC-J9 will be subject to rapid uptake.
- Continued success and uptake of Galderma’s Epiduo, with label expansion into the pediatric population and launch of the Epiduo TAP program to improve patient compliance.
- Launch of Photocure’s Visonac in 2017; potentially the first photodynamic therapy for use in acne.
Major barriers to the growth of the acne market during the forecast period include:
- Increasing emphasis for acne therapies to demonstrate cost-effectiveness, particularly in a number of 5EU countries. Austerity measures in Europe will pose a challenge for pharmaceutical companies trying to justify high prices of novel therapies and reformulations when compared with the cost-effective generic drugs that have a long history of use in acne.
- Pharmaceutical companies are not inclined to invest in acne research, viewing R&D in this area as a poor return on investment. This is especially true when compared with therapies such as biologic agents that are used in other dermatology indications such as psoriasis and garner lucrative sales. Increased regulatory rigidness has put pressure on the need for longer clinical trials to reflect the chronic nature of acne.
