The global nephrology drugs market is expected to grow from USD 15.55 billion in 2022 to USD 26.99 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.67% during the forecast period 2023-2032. The increasing incidence of kidney diseases will drive the global nephrology drugs market.

Market Introduction:

The kidney is a vital organ of the body. It is situated in the abdominal cavity and is present as a pair. Kidneys perform several vital functions or life processes to keep the human body healthy. The primary functions of a kidney include removing toxic waste, water, and unwanted products from the body which are present in the bloodstream. They work as a filter for the human body. They are also responsible for the secretion of some essential hormones. Kidneys are also responsible for converting vitamin D supplements to active vitamin D for the body to absorb. Kidneys control the production of RBCs and balance the body's fluids. The internal field of medicine called nephrology is the healthy functioning of the kidney and its components, the general and overall well-being of the kidney, and the treatment of any kidney diseases/disorders. Nephrology drugs are medications that enable patients to repair kidneys or treat them. Nephrology drugs are used to treat chronic kidney diseases, kidney infections, stones, kidney swelling, nephrotic syndrome, kidney failure, etc. they are also widely used in dialysis patients. The increasing prevalence of kidney diseases will drive the demand for nephrology drugs during the forecast period.

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Recent Development

January 2023 - According to data from a mid-stage trial conducted by Vera Therapeutics, its lead medication caused statistically significant drops in proteins linked to a rare kidney illness with few available treatments. Vera intends to take its drug to a crucial test based on those preliminary findings, enabling the biotech to keep up with a burgeoning field of rivals. Atacicept, a medication made by Vera, is being developed as a treatment for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). It is a condition marked by an accumulation of an immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody that causes inflammation and kidney damage. B lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation-inducing ligand are two proteins that promote the formation of autoantibodies implicated in several autoimmune disorders. The fusion protein atacicept blocks them.

January 2023 - Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance (empagliflozin) tablets. The tablets are being investigated as a potential treatment to lower the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The sNDA is predicated on findings from the historic EMPA-Renal phase III trial, which showed that Jardiance significantly decreased the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in individuals with CKD by 28% compared with placebo. Results were presented during Kidney Week 2022 of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and The New England Journal of Medicine also published them simultaneously. In addition to the standard of treatment, Jardiance showed a 14% relative risk reduction vs. placebo.

Market Dynamics:

Drivers

The increasing prevalence of kidney disorders – There is a rising incidence and prevalence of kidney failures, conditions, and diseases globally. The growing diabetic population, given the unhealthy diet of ultra-processed, high in sugar food and lack of physical exercise, causes the kidney to fail. Another prominent factor contributing to the increasing number of kidney patients is the rising obesity in the population. The growing convenience of daily activities has led to a dominant sedentary lifestyle with eating non-nutritious food, no exercising, and sleep deprivation. The lifestyle changes that have become fast-paced, wherein people don't get enough sleep or hydration, will also contribute to the rising patient pool. Other health conditions like cardiovascular diseases may also increase the likelihood of kidney disorders and diseases. The drinking lifestyle of the young population is another significant contributor to growing kidney failure cases. The geriatric population holds a significant share in the increasing number of kidney disorders, failures, and disease statistics. Infections given the unhygienic restroom conditions in the public arena or common areas make the poor and marginalized more susceptible to these diseases. Chronic kidney diseases, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and autoimmune kidney disorders are some of the common conditions witnessing a rise globally. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of kidney diseases, given the rising diabetic, obese, geriatric, and drinking population, will drive the global nephrology market. The poor living conditions, sanitary infrastructure, and access to toilets and washrooms due to lack of public policy intervention, funding, initiative, and political will have also contributed to the rising incidence of kidney diseases and infections.

Restraints:

Nephrology drugs are expensive medications – Any effective drug, therapy, or treatment involves extensive research and development for years. A vast amount of capital and effort is put into these research projects. The successive trials and experiments are also costly for the parent company. The latest machinery, equipment, technology, software, and devices are utilized to create an efficient drug or medication that can treat a specific disease or disorder. Qualified, trained, and skilled personnel is hired to carry out these development projects, and vast amounts of money are paid to them for their knowledge and experience. The developed products need to be put under government scrutiny for final approval and distribution, which also utilizes several resources. Drug developers need to break even to cover their R & D costs before their patent expires, and they lose exclusivity in the market. The loss of exclusivity will lead to competitors flooding the market with their products and reduction in market share for the original manufacturer. Furthermore, the production costs are always high for certain drugs like nephrology drugs. The expensive nature of nephrology drugs makes them inaccessible to many people unless government intervention restricts the market's growth.

Opportunities:

Growing research and development of better nephrology drugs – Technological advancements and scientific breakthroughs have allowed a better understating of human physiology. The increased knowledge base about kidneys, nephrons, bowman's capsule, and renal nerves has enabled the scientific community to advance the diagnosis of several kidney diseases. The expanding knowledge has enabled a better understanding of the causes and symptoms of kidney diseases. Furthermore, product innovations and advancements in pharma and biotechnology have enabled the development of effective drugs and medications. The increasing prevalence of kidney disorders and diseases has opened up a large market for pharma companies. They are increasingly investing in research and development of drugs to treat these diseases and conditions. These companies are also improving the existing drugs, making them more effective, accessible, and affordable for millions. The government is also encouraging the development of better medications for kidney patients to save lives and improve healthcare and the overall life expectancy of the population. Therefore, the growing research and development to create new drugs and improve existing ones will propel the market's growth.

Challenges:

Lack of awareness about nephrology drugs – Early stages of a kidney disease, disorder, or failure shows low or no symptoms. A chronic but bearable pain is ignored by most, thinking it is not a health problem. The lack of clear symptoms or lack of attention on the part of the patient leads to a neglected and progressive kidney disease or disorder festering. The visible symptoms are often caught at later stages when the diseases have advanced significantly. Also, kidney diseases are a result of several other conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which often hides the complete diagnosis of kidney failure or disorder. Most of the population is unaware of kidney diseases and disorders; therefore, they do not know about these drugs, which will challenge the market's growth.

Regional segmentation analysis:

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The North American region emerged as the most significant global nephrology drugs market, with a 44% market revenue share in 2022. The increasing incidence and prevalence of kidney disorders and diseases in the region will drive the market's growth. The growing obese and diabetic population, given the prevalence of sedentary, unhealthy, and inactive lifestyles, has contributed to the significant rise in the patient population. The major geriatric population of the region is also a key contributor to the rising number of kidney failures and diseases. The drinking and substance abuse culture in the region is also equally responsible. The growing demand for nephrology drugs is fulfilled by the ever increasing supply of these drugs, given the presence of major market players in the region. Positive government reimbursement policies and rising research and development expenditures by the federal authorities are also augmenting the market's supply side. The market players are also developing advanced drugs and medications to exploit the growing consumer market. Access to advanced technologies, sophisticated machines, devices, and equipment enables the region to stay ahead in the global market. The Asia Pacific market is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period. The growing geriatric population of China and Japan are significant contributors to the regional market's growth. The presence of several big pharma companies in India and China with vast manufacturing capabilities also augments the region's development. The increasing government healthcare expenditure is also a positive development for the regional market.

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Product type segment analysis

The product type segment is divided into ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and others. The ACE inhibitors segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 57% in 2022. ACE inhibitors stand for angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors. These drugs are primarily used to alleviate hypertension or high blood pressure symptoms. They are commonly used to treat renal diseases caused by high blood pressure. They are highly effective and popular in the healthcare sector. The drug offers long-term relief for the patient. It is also widely used in dialysis patients. ACE inhibitors also manage diabetes-induced kidney failure. The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases will contribute to rising kidney diseases and failures, thereby driving the segment's growth.

Route of administration segment analysis

The route of administration segment is divided into oral and parenteral. The oral segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 67% in 2022. Due to its ease, people prefer using oral drugs. They are the most basic type of medication, which makes them straightforward to produce on a big scale. They are practical for long-term and frequent use and can be self-administered. The oral route of administration is the most popular on the market because of its safety. Its dominance in the market is due to the lack of sanitary precautions and the affordability of oral administration. Since a significant proportion of the patient pool is geriatric, oral medications are highly popular in the global nephrology drugs market.

Distribution channel segment analysis

The distribution channel segment is divided into retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The retail pharmacies segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 47% in 2022. Retail pharmacies deal directly with customers, meeting their daily needs for both prescription-only medications and generic medications. They are in charge of dispensing medications and are distribution partners with multiple manufacturers. They guarantee last-mile drug delivery. The expansion of retail pharmacy chains has facilitated the increasing domination of the category in the worldwide market. The segment's expansion has also been aided by rising disposable income. The establishment of public retail pharmacies and the creation of advantageous prescription reimbursement procedures by the government aid in the segment's development. With support from the government and private sector, as well as strong consumer demand, the segment will thus continue to rule the market.

Some of the Key Market Players:

• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited
• Pfizer Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson Inc.
• GlaxoSmithKline PLC
• FibroGen Inc.
• F-Hoffmann La Roche
• AstraZeneca
• Amgen Inc.
• Akebia Therapeutics Inc.
• AbbVie Inc.

Report Description: