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

The intragastric balloon market size is expected to reach US$ 278.9 million by 2030, from US$ 145.8 million in 2023, at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. Intragastric balloons are medical devices that are placed in the stomach endoscopically to reduce the stomach capacity and intake. This procedure is mainly used for weight loss in obese patients. Intragastric balloons offer various advantages such as being less invasive, reversible, and requiring shorter hospital stays. The rising prevalence of obesity and associated diseases is driving the growth of the intragastric balloon market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data published in June 2021, obesity rates around the world have almost tripled since 1975. In 2016, over 1.9 billion adults aged 18 and above were overweight, and among them, more than 650 million were considered obese. This means that in 2016, 39% of adults over 18 were overweight, and 13% were classified as obese.

The intragastric balloon market is segmented based on product type, filling material, end user, distribution channel, and region. By product type, the single balloon segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. Single balloons are preferred by patients owing to their safety and efficacy.

Intragastric Balloon Market Regional Insights:

• North America is the largest market for intragastric balloon, accounting for over 50% of the global market share in 2022. This is due to the high prevalence of obesity in the region, as well as the increasing awareness of and demand for minimally invasive weight loss procedures. For instance, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 41.9% from 1999 to 2020. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%.
• Europe is the second-largest market for intragastric balloon, with a market share of over 30%. The market in Europe is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and the increasing availability of intragastric balloon procedures.
• Asia Pacific is the third-largest market for intragastric balloon, with a market share of over 15%. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and the increasing disposable income in the region.

Figure 1. Global Intragastric Balloon Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Analyst’s Views:

The intragastric balloon market looks promising over the coming years. The rising global prevalence of obesity due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits is a major driver for the market growth. Intragastric balloons provide an effective and less invasive solution for weight management compared to conventional bariatric surgeries. Technological advancements with newer materials and designs are enhancing patient safety and comfort. This will increase patient adoptability and expand the addressable market size. However, lack of long-term clinical evidence on efficacy and risk of complications post-procedure are some restraints that need to be addressed.

Intragastric Balloon Market Drivers:

• Rising prevalence of obesity: Obesity has become a global epidemic, with over 650 million adults worldwide being obese as of 2016. The prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled over the past four decades. Obesity increases the risk of various chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. This is driving the demand for effective long-term weight loss solutions like intragastric balloon. The balloons provide a minimally invasive alternative to tackle obesity. Moreover, according to the WHO data published on March 16, 2023, an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.
• Technological advancements in balloon design: There have been significant improvements in intragastric balloon design and functionality over the past decade. Newer balloon models like Orbera365 and Spatz3 allow balloons to stay in the stomach for up to 12 months. Features like smooth surface, improved collapsibility, radiopaque markers for imaging, and addition of gauge ports have enhanced safety and outcomes. Companies are also developing ingestible, swallowable balloons like the Elipse balloon by Allurion Technologies, a medical device company. Such technological enhancements are boosting the adoption of gastric balloons.
• Increasing bariatric surgeries: With rising obesity, the number of bariatric procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy has grown significantly worldwide. Intragastric balloons are often used as a bridge to surgery in extremely obese patients to reduce surgery risks and improve outcomes. They help reduce liver volume allowing for easier access during surgery. According to ASMBS, over 200,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the U.S. in 2017. The balloons provide a reversible, cost-effective option before surgery.
• Favorable reimbursement policies: Expanding insurance coverage for obesity treatment is improving access to weight loss procedures including gastric balloons. In the U.S., intragastric balloon are covered by Medicaid and Medicare in people with severe obesity and comorbidities. Coverage by Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare has also increased owing to long-term cost benefits of weight loss. Such favorable reimbursement policies are accelerating the adoption of balloon procedures.

Intragastric Balloon Market Opportunities:

• Huge untapped patient population in developing countries: Developing countries have a high burden of obesity and related disorders. According to the Obesity Society, India and China together have about 415 million obese individuals. But the penetration of weight loss procedures is quite low in these countries. Cost, lack of awareness, and limited healthcare access are the key barriers. Companies have significant opportunities to tap this large untapped patient pool through geographic expansion, partnerships with local providers, awareness programs, and cost-reduction.
• Increasing use of connected health platforms: The integration of connected health technologies like mobile apps, ingestible sensors, wearables, and virtual care with intragastric balloon can transform obesity management. Companies are collaborating to develop supporting digital health platforms. For instance, Allurion’s Virtual Care Suite provides remote monitoring before and after balloon placement. Such tools allow real-time data collection, improve patient engagement, and compliance. Their adoption can improve weight loss outcomes.
• Combination therapies for enhanced results: Combining intragastric balloon with other anti-obesity interventions can lead to greater weight loss. Adding medications, behavioral therapy, physical activity, or diet plans to balloon treatment can improve results. Dual-balloon systems also offer better weight loss than single balloons. Research is ongoing on combining balloons with gastric electrical stimulation, aspiration therapy, etc. Such combination strategies can significantly expand the applicability of gastric balloons.
• Increasing medical tourism for obesity treatment: Rise of medical tourism provides opportunities for weight loss balloon manufacturers. Cost advantage, minimal waiting times, and availability of improved healthcare services are attracting patients from developed countries to travel for the procedure. Companies are expanding their footprint in top medical tourism destinations like India, Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia. Partnerships with hospitals and surgeons catering to medical tourists will help drive the market growth.

Intragastric Balloon Market Trends:

• Increasing preference for minimally invasive procedures: Patients are increasingly seeking minimally invasive alternatives for weight loss like balloons and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. These have advantages of shorter hospital stays, lower complication risks, and quicker recovery over traditional surgery. Balloons in particular have seen higher adoption owing to the simplicity, reversibility and non-permanent nature of the procedure. Patients are more inclined towards trying safer temporary options before considering permanent surgical changes. For instance, as per a research article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) released in April 2022, the healthcare system in the U.S. is increasingly emphasizing value-based care, and hospitals are transitioning to less invasive medical procedures. The article further noted that these minimally invasive treatments lead to shorter hospital stays when compared to traditional open surgeries, mainly because of the rising preference for minimally invasive procedures in the nation.
• Growing usage of dual and triple balloon systems: Advanced multi-balloon systems are gaining preference over single balloons for longer-term weight loss benefits. Dual balloons like Orbera365 provide greater stomach restriction through two linked balloons. This leads to greater satiety, portion control, and weight loss maintenance. In Europe, the new Spatz3 adjustable triple balloon allows progressive three-step expansion over 12 months for personalized results. Such multi-balloon options offer better clinical outcomes.
• Increasing demand for non-surgical outpatient weight loss options: There is growing inclination towards outpatient intragastric balloon placement over inpatient surgery for convenience, cost savings, and reduced downtime. Elipse, Orbera, and ReShape balloons can be placed endoscopically in gastroenterologist clinics/ambulatory surgery centers without anesthesia requirements. Market leaders are focusing on expanding outpatient placement facilities through partnerships with bariatric clinics and individual providers.
• Advancements in balloon placement and removal processes: Technological developments are making balloon placement and removal safer, faster, and easier. Smaller balloons, smooth surfaces, and radiopaque markings allow quick endoscopic insertion and positioning. Smart gastrointestinal suturing devices like Apollo Endosurgery’s OverStitch facilitate reliable balloon fixation. Similarly, advances in removal processes like Obalon’s detachable shell reduce risks and procedure time. This is propelling adoption among patients and providers.

Intragastric Balloon Market Restraints:

• Adverse events and complications: Potential risks like balloon deflation, gastric obstruction, ulcers, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain can limit gastric balloon adoption. Serious adverse events like bowel obstruction, perforation, and death have also been reported in small numbers. Strict adherence to placement and removal protocols is required to minimize complications. Lack of long-term safety data also contributes to hesitancy among some patients and providers.
• Lack of awareness in developing regions: In developing countries, awareness about intragastric balloon as a weight loss option remains low among both patients and healthcare providers. Access to information about risks and benefits is not widespread. Concerns about safety, misconceptions about reversibility also exist, limiting uptake. Companies need to undertake extensive educational programs showcasing balloon advantages to aid adoption in developing markets.
• High upfront costs and low insurance coverage: Intragastric balloon treatment, though less expensive than surgery, can still cost between US$ 6,000 to US$ 15,000 out-of-pocket in Western countries. Many insurers still consider the procedure experimental or cosmetic and do not cover it. Lack of reimbursement limits the vast eligible patient population that can benefit. Upfront costs are a key barrier to higher penetration and require addressing.

 Figure 2. Global Intragastric Balloon Market Share (%), by Product Type, 2023

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Recent Developments:

• On June 23, 2023, Allurion technologies, a medical device company announced that it has signed a 12-month pilot collaboration agreement with Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, services, and solutions. Under the terms of their deal, Medtronic will be able to offer Allurion’s swallowable gastric balloon and artificial intelligence-powered Iris healthcare management program through its existing sales channels in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa.
• In October 2022, Allurion received approval to launch its revolutionary gastric balloon technology in Brazil. The Allurion Balloon, known in Brazil as the Elipse Balloon, is the first and only intragastric weight-loss balloon that is routinely placed and removed without surgery, endoscopy, or anesthesia.
• In September 2022, Allurion launched its swallowable gastric balloon capsule for weight loss in India. During the press conference, the company informed that it is the only medical weight-loss device fully approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
• In January 2022, Apollo Endosurgery, an industry pioneer and leader in advance therapeutic endoscopy received U.S. FDA approval for its Orbera365 Managed Weight Loss System, the first intragastric balloon with an indication for weight loss therapy of up to 12 months. This enhanced system can help patients achieve and maintain weight loss goals.
• In June 2021, Spatz3, a new dual intragastric balloon system by Spatz FGIA, a medical device manufacturing company received CE mark approval. It is designed to remain in the stomach for up to 12 months to induce early satiety and help with weight loss.
• In July 2020, Allurion Technologies, a pioneering leader in the development of innovative, scalable, and trusted weight loss experiences, announced entry into Asia Pacific with the launch of the Elipse Program in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. Building upon its success in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, the company’s entry into Asia Pacific could impact the lives of over 1 billion people who are overweight or obese in a region that historically has had limited access to non-invasive weight loss treatments
• In May 2019, Allurion Technologies launched Allurion Virtual Care Suite, a digital health platform to support patients before and after the Elipse gastric balloon procedure. This can improve patient outcomes.

Top Companies in the Intragastric Balloon Market:

• Allurion Technologies
• Allergan (Acquired by Abbott)
• Apollo Endosurgery
• Reshape Medical
• Spatz FGIA
• Endalis
• Silimed
• Medsil
• Districlass médical

Definition: The intragastric balloon market refers to the industry and market related to intragastric balloon medical devices. Intragastric balloons are soft, fluid-filled balloons that are placed in the stomach through minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. These balloons aid in weight loss by occupying space in the stomach, inducing satiety through neurohormonal signals, and slowing gastric emptying. The global market for intragastric balloon has been growing steadily owing to the rising incidence of obesity and advantages over invasive bariatric surgeries. Key players, new product launches, partnerships, and geographic expansion are shaping the competitive landscape.