Major Players in Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Focus on R&D on New Drugs to Expand Their Product Portfolio

 

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that slowly damages the brain. It generally starts to develop in middle age and gradually advances over the years. Like other types of dementia, people with Alzheimer's experience memory loss, trouble with processing speed and difficulty with recognizing or distinguishing specific items. Some patients with this condition are also unable to perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as using a pencil. They often have an unusual lack of coordination.

Alzheimer’s is more common in women than men and it affects about 1 percent of Americans. It is believed that there may be a link between stress and this type of disease. Some research also indicates that people who work in high-risk jobs or are involved in hazardous occupations may be at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. Increasing geriatric population is also expected to aid in growth of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. geriatric population is expected to reach 77 million by 2034.

High prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to propel growth of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. According to Alzheimer’s Association, around 5.8 million people in the U.S. aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2020. Moreover, R&D in Alzheimer’s disease is also expected to aid in growth of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. In December 2019, the U.S. Congress granted US$ 350 million annual appropriation for R&D in Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Emergence of Covid-19 has led to free virtual education programs and online support groups in the Alzheimer’s drugs market. In April 2020, The Alzheimer’s Association announced to offer free virtual education programs and online support groups to caregivers, Alzheimer’s patients, and their families.

Major players in the Alzheimer’s drugs market are focused on R&D on new drugs to expand their product portfolio. In March 2021, Eli Lilly and Company’s phase 2 placebo-controlled trial of the investigational antiamyloid drug donanemab demonstrated that the novel agent met the primary outcome of slowing cognitive decline in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.

High cost of drugs is expected to limit growth of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. In June 2021, the U.S. FDA approved Aduhelm for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug costs US$ 56,000-a-year, which would raise Medicare premiums broadly, and some patients who are prescribed the medication could face copayments of about US$ 11,500 annually.