Global Cluster Headache Market is estimated to be valued at USD 422.2 Mn in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period 2024-2031. The market growth is driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of cluster headaches worldwide and growing adoption of drug therapies for their treatment. Furthermore, rising awareness about the availability of treatment options and new product launches can also drive the market growth.
Market Dynamics:
Increasing prevalence of cluster headaches - Cluster headaches are relatively rare but can be severe in their pain level. Rising prevalence os cluster headache can drive the market growth. According to studies, around 1% of the general population suffers from cluster headaches at some point in their lives. This rising disease burden has boosted demand for effective treatment and management options.
Growing adoption of drug therapies - Drug therapies form the first line treatment for cluster headaches. Triptans, calcium channel blockers, and corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to patients. Their efficacy and convenience over other options have contributed to their increased adoption over the years.
Increasing prevalence of cluster headache
Cluster headache is a rare neurological disease that is characterized by severe pain on one side of the head. The exact cause of cluster headache is unknown, however, genetic factors and changes in hypothalamic function can cause the disease. The prevalence of cluster headache is estimated to be between 0.1-0.4% of the general population. According to the study published by Journal of Headache and Pain, the prevalence of cluster headache was 15 per 100,000 people. This rising prevalence of cluster headache indicates a growing patient pool seeking effective treatment and management options. Increasing cases of cluster headache are expected to boost demand for drugs and devices to treat this condition.
Growing awareness and diagnosis rates
Cluster headache is often misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed due to lack of awareness about its signs and symptoms. However, efforts by patient advocacy groups and medical professionals to educate people about this condition have led to improved awareness and diagnosis rates in the recent years. The development of standardized diagnostic guidelines and criteria by expert medical organizations has facilitated timely diagnosis. According to a study conducted across 14 European countries, diagnosis delay had decreased from 5-7 years in the 1990s to 2-3 years currently. Growing recognition of cluster headache symptoms and signs among healthcare professionals and the public is positively impacting early diagnosis. This allows patients to initiate treatment sooner, thus, improving outcomes. Improved diagnosis rates point towards a rising patient pool adopting medication and devices, thus, driving market growth.
Availability of generic drugs posing a challenge
Global cluster headache drug market growth can be hampered by the availability of generic drugs following patent expiries of branded formulations. Drugs like sumatriptan that are first-line therapy options for cluster headache treatment are now available in generic versions. This has significantly reduced the prices of such drugs. The easy access and lower costs of generic drugs compared to branded equivalents are diverting patients. Launch of generic versions squeezes profit margins for manufacturers of patented drugs. Increasing uptake of low-cost generics poses a formidable challenge to pharmaceutical companies investing in new branded migraine therapies.
Reimbursement and regulatory bottlenecks
Unfavorable regulatory frameworks and lack of comprehensive reimbursement policies pose challenges in commercializing cluster headache medications and devices in different regions across the globe. For instance, pain preventive drugs and nerve stimulators indicated for headache prevention goes through an elaborate approval process with health authorities. Many such therapies fail to receive approval or end up with stringent labeling. Public and private insurance plans have limited or no coverage for cluster headache drugs and medical devices. Out-of-pocket payments by patients inhibit adoption. Regulatory hurdles and inadequate reimbursement policies fail to incentivize manufacturers while also restricting patient access to emerging therapies.
Emergence of pipeline drugs opening new prospects
The cluster headache drug pipeline has witnessed considerable expansion over the past few years with multiple therapeutic candidates under evaluation across early and late stages of development. Several innovative drugs targeting headache mechanisms are being evaluated to overcome limitations of existing treatment options. For instance, AMG 301 by Amgen Inc. is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody under Phase 3 trials that is indicated for both acute treatment and prevention of cluster headache. Pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly, Teva Pharmaceutical, electroCore Medical and others have pain prevention drugs in their pipeline. Novel formulations using advanced drug delivery technologies can also offer growth opportunities. The introduction of these new treatment options is expected to provide patients with better efficacy and safety profiles..
Non-invasive neurostimulation devices gathering momentum
Non-invasive neurostimulation therapies have gained immense recognition for treating cluster headache in the recent past. Devices like gammaCore deliver an electric signal to trigger the vagus nerve, has and this has shown efficacy in preventing cluster headache attacks. These devices do not require any surgery and offer a drug-free alternative for patients. Other stimulation therapies involving occipital and supraorbital nerve branches are also gaining traction due to their ability to provide fast relief. These are also comparatively safer than continuous prophylactic drug therapy. The adoption of non-invasive neurostimulation devices is expected to gain strong momentum considering their effectiveness, less invasiveness, and convenience of use.
Link - https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/cluster-headache-market-4709
Key Developments
- In March 2023, Pfizer Inc., a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, announced that it had received FDA approval for ZAVZPRET (zavegepant), the first CGRP receptor antagonist nasal spray for treating migraines in adults, with or without aura. In its Phase 3 study, ZAVZPRET showed superiority over placebo in achieving pain freedom and relief from bothersome symptoms two hours post-dose. The study also revealed pain relief as early as 15 minutes after administration compared to placebo.
- In June 2021, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceuticals company, announced that the FDA had accepted its 505(b)(2) New Drug Application for a dihydroergotamine (DHE) prefilled syringe autoinjector. It expect a decision by mid-2022, with a potential commercial launch in the second half of the same year, focusing solely on the U.S. market. Mr. Joseph Todisco, Amneal Specialty's Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized its commitment to expanding the specialty portfolio by providing impactful therapies for patients in need, particularly in the migraine and headache space.
- In June 2021, AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company, announced an agreement with Grünenthal, acquiring global rights to Zomig (zolmitriptan) outside of Japan. Zomig is utilized for the acute management of migraines and cluster headaches, a therapeutic area not within AstraZeneca's primary strategic focus.
- In May 2021, Unity HA, a medical device company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had awarded Breakthrough Device Designation to the Pulsante SPG Microstimulator System for addressing acute pain linked with chronic cluster headaches
Key Players: Autonomic Technologies, Inc., Epic Systems Corporation, AstraZeneca, ElectroCore, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Zosano Pharma, Allergan, plc, Amgen Inc., Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., Cefaly Technology, Eliem Therapeutics, Inc., Lundbeck Seattle BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., Prismic Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC
