PARP INHIBITOR MARKET ANALYSIS

The exorbitant cost of PARP inhibitor drugs can hamper the global PARP inhibitor market growth. PARP inhibitors have proven to be effective therapeutic options for certain cancers like ovarian and breast, however, the astronomical cost of treatment makes it inaccessible to many patients. For instance, the cost of one year of Lynparza treatment ranges between US$ 100,000 to US$ 150,000 in the U.S., according to a study conducted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in 2021. Zejula treatment costs about US$ 136,000 per year. Such high costs place an enormous financial burden on patients as well as national health budgets. Many developed countries like the U.S. do not have universal healthcare and patients are required to bear a major part of the treatment expenditure through out-of-pocket payments. This deters patients from opting for PARP inhibitor therapy and increases the rate of treatment discontinuation. The situation is worse in developing and underdeveloped countries where a sizable population lacks health insurance. As per data from the World Bank, over half the population in India does not have health coverage. This makes life-saving cancer treatments like PARP inhibitors completely unaffordable for most patients in the country. The high costs of PARP inhibitors diminish their availability globally. Pharmaceutical companies are also hesitant to invest in research and development of new PARP inhibitors due to uncertainty over cost recovery. Unless measures are taken to make these drugs more affordable and accessible, the PARP inhibitor market may fail to realize its projected growth rates over the next few years.

Market Opportunities: Combination therapies with PARP inhibitors

Combination therapies with PARP inhibitors offer promising opportunities for the global PARP inhibitor market growth. Recent clinical trials have shown positive results of combining PARP inhibitors with other anti-cancer drugs for treating various cancers. For example, in 2020, according to the study published by Lancet Oncology Journal,  improved progression-free survival in women with ovarian cancer when niraparib (a PARP inhibitor) was combined with bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF drug) compared to niraparib alone. As monotherapy resistance to PARP inhibitors remains a challenge in breast and prostate cancers, combination regimens are being actively explored. Several ongoing late-phase clinical trials are evaluating PARP inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy drugs like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. Preliminary results have indicated combination therapy may help overcome resistance and significantly improve treatment outcomes. For instance, a Phase 3 trial presented at the 2021 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress showed improved survival when olaparib was combined with immunotherapy versus standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer with BRCA mutations. As such combination regimens gain regulatory approvals and are incorporated into treatment guidelines based on positive trial results, it can significantly expand the eligible patient pool for PARP inhibitors. This will can boost demand. According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to over 30 million by 2040 worldwide due to growth and aging of the population. The increasing cancer incidence coupled with advancement of targeted combination therapies can offer opportunity for players in the PARP inhibitor market.