ATEZOLIZUMAB MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

Market Challenges And Opportunities

Global Atezolizumab Market Drivers:

• Rising prevalence of cancer globally: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with approximately 19.3 million new cases and 10.0 million cancer deaths in 2020 alone. The global burden of cancer is expected to grow to 30.2 million new cases and 16.4 million deaths by 2040 simply due to the growth and aging of the population. The rising prevalence of various cancers such as lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancers is driving demand for novel therapies like atezolizumab. Atezolizumab is an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that helps activate the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. The growing number of cancer cases across the globe is fueling the uptake of immunotherapies like atezolizumab, thereby driving market growth.
• Increasing pharmaceutical R&D for cancer immunotherapy: Pharmaceutical companies are aggressively focusing on R&D for novel cancer immunotherapies given their potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. There is increasing investment in developing combinatorial immunotherapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors like atezolizumab along with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or other immuno-oncology agents. For instance, Roche has an extensive clinical program evaluating atezolizumab in combination with other novel molecules for treating various cancers. Moreover, companies are developing biosimilar versions of atezolizumab to expand access. The rapid pace of innovation and clinical research for atezolizumab and other immunotherapies is expected to widen the array of treatment options available and propel market growth. According to Cancer Research Institute’s article ‘Cellular Cancer Immunotherapy Development Evolves, Expands with New Technologies and Targets’ published in June, 2022, in April, there were 2,756 active cell therapy agents in the global immuno-oncology pipeline, an increase of 36% over the 2021 landscape analysis that identified 2,031 such agents, but also a modest deceleration compared to 43% growth in the prior year.
• Rising healthcare expenditure globally: The gradual increase in healthcare spending globally, especially in developing countries, is contributing to the increasing adoption of high-cost cancer therapies like atezolizumab. According to the World Health Organization, report of year 2022, global healthcare expenditure is projected to reach US$ 10 trillion by 2022, indicating rising budgets and health system capacity to adopt novel treatment options. Moreover, the rapid economic growth in emerging countries like India and China is boosting healthcare spending. The rising healthcare investments will drive greater drug accessibility, accelerate uptake of immunotherapy in developing markets, and fuel the Global Atezolizumab Market growth.

 Global Atezolizumab Market Opportunities:

• Leveraging partnerships and acquisitions: Partnerships and acquisitions offer attractive opportunities for companies in the Global Atezolizumab Market to accelerate R&D pipelines, expand into emerging markets, and consolidate market position. There have been several strategic deals among pharmaceutical giants to maximize the value of their immuno-oncology portfolios. For instance, in 2020, Merck, Germany based Global Pharmaceutical company and Seagen, U.S. based Biotechnology Company, partnered to co-develop therapies combining Keytruda and ladiratuzumab vedotin. Such collaborative agreements allow companies to complement their expertise. Moreover, licensing deals with local players can aid market expansion in high-potential regions. Capitalizing on strategic tie-ups and M&A will be an impactful opportunity.
• Exploring combination therapies: An emerging opportunity is the development of novel combination treatments using atezolizumab and other anti-cancer drugs like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy. Combination regimes allow complementary action on tumors to improve patient outcomes through synergistic effects. For instance, on January 18, 2023, Genentech, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, announced the Pivotal Phase III IMbrave050 study investigating Tecentriq plus Avastin in people with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at high risk of recurrence following surgery met primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival. In addition of Avastin to Tecentriq led to increased overall survival in liver cancer patients. Companies can further their clinical research on pairing atezolizumab with different mechanisms to provide more potent and durable responses. Gaining regulatory approvals for effective combination therapies will significantly boost commercial potential.

Global Atezolizumab Market Restraints:

• High cost of treatment: Despite their profound efficacy, atezolizumab and other cancer immunotherapies come at a very high price, creating affordability challenges that restrain wider adoption. The cost burden on patients and payers has risen with accumulating U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for atezolizumab across numerous indications. For instance, according to Lung cancer journal publication in July 2023, the list price of Tecentriq is over US$ 15,000 per month. While insurance coverage is helping patients in developed countries gain access, those in emerging economies face stark access barriers due to high costs. Addressing the pricing and reimbursement hurdles will be vital for market expansion.
• Immune-related adverse effects: As a downside of immune system stimulation, atezolizumab therapy poses risks of immune-related adverse events which can diminish quality of life. Reported side effects include colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, pneumonitis, and nephritis. Severe irAEs often require treatment discontinuation or immunosuppressive therapy. Safety concerns due to side effects thus limit uptake of atezolizumab. However, research is elucidating potential risk biomarkers and mitigation strategies to allow safer administration. For instance, On February 2023, according to JAMA oncology article ‘Association of Immune-Related Adverse Events With Efficacy of Atezolizumab in Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer’, Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) increase antitumor activity by blocking downregulators of the immune system and have transformed the treatment and prognosis of lung cancer. ICIs are associated with off-target immune and inflammatory adverse effects known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs).