Market Challenges And Opportunities

Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment Market Drivers

Increasing number of patients undergoing organ transplant procedures is the leading cause for growth of the Kaposi sarcoma treatment market, as patients undergoing organ transplants are highly susceptible to this cancer. For instance, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), in 2014, 17,107 kidney transplants took place in the U.S. Among which, 11,570 came from deceased donors and 5,537 came from living donors. Furthermore, increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma is one of the major factors driving the adoption of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) therapy, which subsequently drives growth of the Kaposi sarcoma treatment market. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), February 2016 data findings, around 1 in 200 transplant patients in the U.S. suffer from Kaposi sarcoma. In the U.S., Kaposi sarcoma is much more common among men than women, and is rarely observed among children. Additionally, according to the same source, it is more common among African Americans than in whites in the U.S in 2016.

However, lack of awareness about this cancer, irregular availability of chemotherapy and HAART, lack of radiotherapy services, and overall high cost of cancer treatment are major factors limiting growth of the Kaposi sarcoma treatment market. For instance, according to the data published by Monash University Malaysia in January 2016, the prices of major drugs used for the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma, such as liposomal doxorubicin, liposomal daunorubicin, or paclitaxel in combination with HAART, are increasing significantly, making them unaffordable for middle- and lower-income group patients.

Moreover, North America is witnessing a shortage in supply of drugs required for its treatment, leading to a wide demand-supply gap and subsequently significant slower scope for growth. For instance, in January 2016, Eisai Co., Ltd. issued the shortage notice by stating that, due to the manufacturing issue, there was a supply shortage of Panretin gel tubes (US FDA approved) in U.S. Moreover, in order to alleviate the shortage of Panretin gel in the U.S., FDA approved the sales of Panretin gel tubes for use in the European market.