The global market for type 2 diabetes treatments is set to grow by 66% over the next seven years, according to analysts.
GBI Research predicts its value will rise from $23.5bn in 2014 to $39bn by 2021, driven by the condition’s rising prevalence and continued uptake of recently approved treatments.
In particular its new report points to three classes of drugs: dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. DPP-4 inhibitors are already a widely-used class of drugs, led by Merck & Co’s Januvia (sitagliptin), and the class is poised to see newer entrants from the likes of Merck and Takeda.
Newer versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are also in the offing from Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, while sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have starting reaching the market, led by Janssen’s Invokana (canagliflozin).
GBI Research also expects the type 2 diabetes market to see a lift from a number of pipeline treatments that offer improvements in dosing frequency and administration methods.
Fiona Chisholm, associate analyst for GBI Research, said: “In comparison to many previously marketed therapies, several recently approved and pipeline treatments provide beneficial effects, such as improved weight control and lowered hypoglycemia risk, and offer improvements in dosing frequency and administration methods.
“Notable examples include two recently approved once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists, Tanzeum and Trulicity, and an orally administered GLP-1 receptor agonist, OG-217SC, which is in phase II development, as well as ITCA 650, a sub-dermally administered osmotic pump in phase III development that requires once or twice-yearly dosing.”
The analysts also said that the late-stage pipeline of potential new treatments for type 2 diabetes is looking healthy, with 16 products at the pre-registration phase and 33 products in phase III.
Casting its eye over where market growth will come from, GBI says the expansion will be seen in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – Europe’s biggest markets, as well as Canada, Japan and the all important US market.