RABIES ANTISERUM MARKET ANALYSIS

The global rabies antiserum market size was valued at USD 1.24 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2023 to 2030, resulting in an estimated market size of USD 1.56 billion by the end of 2030.

Analyst viewpoint:

The global rabies antiserum market is expected to experience steady growth over the forecast period, driven by the rising incidence of rabies globally. The growing population is also working as a major driver as dogs are the primary host and transmitter of rabies virus. Asia Pacific region currently dominates the market due to higher disease prevalence in countries like India, China, and the Philippines. Africa is also estimated to be one of the fastest-growing regional markets. However, a lack of awareness about rabies preventive care, especially in developing nations, can hamper market growth. The high cost of antiserum compared to vaccines is another challenge. Nevertheless, ongoing Research & Development for the development of more effective and low-cost biosimilars will provide huge opportunities in the long run.

Drivers:

The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the increasing prevalence of rabies, rising awareness about the disease, and the availability of advanced treatment options.  For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data published in 2022, rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia. Due to underreporting and uncertain estimates, this number is likely a gross underestimate. The burden of disease is disproportionally borne by rural poor populations, with approximately half of cases attributable to children under 15 years of age.

Additionally, government initiatives to control rabies and improve healthcare infrastructure in developing countries are also expected to drive market growth.

However, the market is also facing challenges such as the high cost of treatment, lack of access to antiserum in remote areas, and the limited shelf life of antiserum products. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of vaccination as a preventive measure for rabies is also expected to limit the growth of the rabies antiserum market.

Fig 1. Global Rabies Antiserum Market Share (%) by Region, 2023

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Rabies Antiserum Market Regional Insights

North America is expected to dominate the global rabies antiserum market during the forecast period, with a significant contribution from the U.S. This can be attributed to the high prevalence of rabies in the region and the availability of advanced treatment options.  For instance, as per data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2020, approximately 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported annually to the CDC, and more than 90% of those cases occur in wildlife in the U.S. This region holds a substantial percentage of the market share, accounting for approximately 40%.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, driven by factors such as the high prevalence of rabies in the region, increasing awareness about the disease, and government initiatives to control the disease. India and China are expected to be the major contributors to the growth of the rabies antiserum market in the region. For instance, according to WHO data, India is endemic for rabies, and accounts for 36% of the world’s rabies deaths. The true burden of rabies in India is not fully known, although, as per available information, it causes 18 000-20 000 deaths every year. About 30-60% of reported rabies cases and deaths in India occur in children under the age of 15 years, as bites that occur in children often go unrecognized and unreported. Asia Pacific accounts for approximately 25% of the market share.

Europe is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period, driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of rabies in some parts of the region and the availability of advanced treatment options. However, the market is also facing challenges such as the high cost of treatment and the limited availability of antiserum products. Europe holds around 21% of the market share.

Fig 2. Global Rabies Antiserum Market Share (%) by Type, 2023

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Rabies Antiserum Market Drivers:

• Increasing prevalence of rabies: Rabies is a serious and life-threatening disease that is prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. This has led to a growing demand for effective treatment options, such as antiserum. According to the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths worldwide.
• Rising awareness about rabies: Governments, NGOs, and other organizations are increasingly raising awareness about the dangers of rabies and the importance of prevention and treatment. This is driving demand for antiserum and other rabies treatments.
• Availability of advanced treatment options: The development of advanced treatment options, such as monoclonal antibodies, has improved the effectiveness of rabies antiserum and is driving demand for these products. For instance, according to a study published in February 2022, significant advancements have been achieved in the field of post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies, transitioning from polyclonal antibodies in serum to monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas. Additionally, there has been notable progress in shifting from murine monoclonal antibodies to human monoclonal antibodies. Clinical trials have provided confirmation of the effectiveness of cocktails for neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.
• Government initiatives: Many governments are implementing initiatives to control the spread of rabies and improve access to healthcare in developing countries. This is driving demand for antiserum and other rabies treatments in these regions.

Rabies Antiserum Market Opportunities:

• Development of advanced antiserum products: The development of advanced antiserum products, such as monoclonal antibodies, can improve the effectiveness and safety of rabies treatment. This presents an opportunity for companies to develop and commercialize new and innovative products. For instance, in June 2021, Kedrion Biopharma and Kamada Ltd. two leading biopharmaceutical companies specializing in plasma-derived protein therapeutics, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved a label update for KEDRAB (Rabies Immune Globulin [Human]), establishing the product's safety and effectiveness in children.
• Expansion into emerging markets: Emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Africa, are experiencing a high prevalence of rabies and have a significant need for rabies treatment. This presents an opportunity for companies to expand their presence in these markets and capture a share of the growing demand.
• Collaborations and partnerships: Collaborations and partnerships between companies and organizations can help to drive innovation and improve access to rabies treatment in underserved regions. This can lead to the development of new products and technologies that benefit both companies and patients. For instance, in September 2022, YishengBio Co., Ltd., a global biopharmaceutical company, and Summit Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination between Summit and YishengBio Co., Ltd.  Upon the closing of transaction, the combined company will be renamed YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. and become a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq.
• Adoption of advanced technologies: The adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rabies treatment. This presents an opportunity for companies to improve their products and services and stay ahead of the competition.

Rabies Antiserum Market Trends:

• Adoption of advanced treatment options: The adoption of advanced treatment options, such as monoclonal antibodies, is improving the effectiveness and safety of rabies treatment. For instance, on September 21, 2023, scientists from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) developed single-dose therapy, which is highly effective against lyssavirus infection (rabies). This trend is expected to continue, driven by increasing demand for more effective and accessible rabies treatment.
• Increasing availability of antiserum products: The availability of antiserum products is increasing in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. This is driven by government initiatives to control the spread of rabies and improve access to healthcare. For instance, in December 2022, Everest Medicines, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that it had achieved the preclinical proof-of-concept milestone for its mRNA rabies vaccine program. This new vaccine candidate for rabies post-exposure prophylactic was developed in partnership with Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc., utilizing a clinically validated mRNA technology platform.
• Growing demand for veterinary antiserum: The use of antiserum in veterinary medicine is growing, particularly in the treatment of companion animals such as dogs and cats. This is driving demand for veterinary antiserum products.
• Increasing use of telemedicine: The use of telemedicine, which involves the use of technology to remotely deliver healthcare services, is growing in many parts of the world. This presents an opportunity for companies to improve access to rabies treatment in underserved regions.

Rabies Antiserum Market Restraints:

• High cost of antiserum products: The cost of antiserum products can be prohibitively high for many patients, particularly in developing countries where healthcare access is limited. This can limit demand for antiserum and drive demand for alternative treatment options. The cost of rabies antiserum can be a significant financial burden for both individuals and healthcare systems. This can deter individuals from seeking proper post-exposure prophylaxis, resulting in more complex and costly treatment if rabies develops. However, there has been efforts made which will eventually reduce the overall cost of the products.
• Limited shelf life of antiserum products: Antiserum products have a limited shelf life, which can pose challenges for storage and distribution. This can limit the availability of antiserum in certain regions and drive demand for alternative treatment options.
• Stringent regulatory requirements: Regulatory requirements for the development and commercialization of antiserum products can be stringent and time-consuming, which can limit innovation and product development in the market.

Recent Developments

New product launches

1. In April 2020, Grifols, a leading global producer of plasma-derived medicines, announced the launch of a new 3-mL (900-IU) vial for HyperRAB (rabies immune globulin [human]), a treatment for rabies postexposure prophylaxis.

Top companies in Rabies Antiserum Market

• CSL Behring
• Sanofi Pasteur
• Grifols S.A.
• Bharat Serum and Vaccines Ltd.
• Novartis AG
• Kedrion Biopharma Inc.
• Biogenesis Bago SA
• Serum Institute of India Ltd.
• Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd.
• Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd.
• CNBG (China National Biotec Group) Co. Ltd.
• Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.
• Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Co. Ltd.

Definition: Rabies antiserum, also known as anti-rabies serum or rabies immunoglobulin, is a specialized medication used for post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies virus infection. It is a concentrated solution containing antibodies specifically targeted against the rabies virus.