Gastrointestinal drugs market to hit $48.4 billion by 2022 as biologic products revolutionize the treatment space

Although the market has recently been hit by the patent expirations of a number of the leading gastrointestinal products, the approval of new drugs, as well as rising prevalence, are expected to drive considerable growth. says GBI Research.

The company’s latest report states that although the market has recently been hit by the patent expirations of a number of the leading gastrointestinal products, such as Nexium and Remicade, the approval of new drugs, as well as rising prevalence, are expected to drive considerable growth.

Jennifer Goossens, Associate Analyst for GBI Research, explains: “Recently approved products include Intercept’s Ocaliva, for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, and Takeda’s Takecab for acid-related diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease – which are both forecast to generate annual revenue of over $1 billion by 2022 – as well as Entyvio for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”

In terms of the gastrointestinal pipeline, there are 937 products in active development, most of which are small molecules and biologics. The therapy area is highly active and has the seventh-largest pipeline across the pharma industry, with more active pipeline products than therapy areas such as respiratory, ophthalmology, and dermatology.

Goossens continues: “The large portion of biologics in the early- and late-stage pipeline reflects the growing interest in biologic therapy in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Currently, marketed biologics, including the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) Humira and Remicade, only have an established market presence for the treatment of IBD.

“Due to the high costs and adverse effects, biologic treatment is primarily used in patients with refractory IBD, but this may change once newer products with a more favorable safety profile enter the market.

“Biologics have revolutionized IBD treatment, and their success in the treatment of these indications has driven enthusiasm for the use of biologics in other immune-related gastrointestinal conditions, such as celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis and autoimmune hepatitis. Of the 329 biologics in the pipeline, 87 products are being developed for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, while 226 are in development for other gastrointestinal indications.”

Biologics in clinical development include the mAbs Stelara (ustekinumab) for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, AMG-714 for celiac disease, and dupilumab for eosinophilic esophagitis, and the recombinant protein BMS-9860 for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

In terms of top companies within the treatment space, Takeda is expected to take the title of market leader from AbbVie by the end of the forecast period. Johnson & Johnson, Allergan and AstraZeneca also remain key players in the gastrointestinal market, although AstraZeneca is forecast to lose a considerable portion of market share.