China Alzheimer’s Therapeutics Market Analysis

China Alzheimer’s Therapeutics Market Executive Summary

China alzheimer’s therapeutics market valued at $386 Mn in 2022, projected to reach $864 Mn by 2030 with a 10.6% CAGR.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological condition that has an impact on mental health, behavior, and memory. Usually, it starts slowly, gets worse with time, and makes it harder for the person to carry out daily tasks. Nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease die as a result of abnormal brain alterations such as plaque and tangle formation. Alzheimer's disease does not currently have a cure. However, some drugs can help with symptom control and enhance quality of life. These medications, which treat memory and cognitive issues, change specific neurotransmitters in the brain. A few of these medications are memantine, rivastigmine, and donepezil. Non-pharmacological techniques include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, engaging in social and cognitive activities, and fostering a supportive environment, all of which may improve overall illness management.

15.07 Mn people in China who are 60 years of age or older are thought to be suffering from dementia, of these, 9.83 Mn cases are linked to Alzheimer's disease, accounting for roughly 62% of all dementia cases. This is a significant increase over prior years, highlighting the growing national Alzheimer's disease burden. The age-specific prevalence of Alzheimer's disease shows a marked increase with age, with 2-5% of people 65 and older affected and a whopping 15-20% of people 80 years and older. With an estimated yearly cost of several hundred billion yuan, the financial toll is astounding and puts a significant burden on healthcare budgets and resources.

With China's recent approval of the anti-amyloid antibody Leqembi (lecanemab), a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease has been made. This significant achievement follows promising outcomes from clinical trials, establishing Leqembi as the first anti-amyloid medication approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's in the nation. The approval represents a significant advancement in the treatment choices available to Alzheimer's patients in China and highlights the increasing importance of novel therapeutic techniques in the management of neurodegenerative illnesses.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Aging Population: China's population is aging quickly, by 2023, there will be more than 260 Mn people in the country who are 60 years of age or older. The desire for treatment options is driven by this age group's much higher chance of getting Alzheimer's disease.

Unaddressed Medical Demand and Changing Treatment Scenario: As of right present, there is no known treatment for Alzheimer's disease; available medications merely address its symptoms. Due to the dearth of accessible medical therapies, there is a significant market for the development of novel and potentially more effective medicines. In addition to recent advancements with anti-amyloid antibodies such as lecanemab, enhanced tau-targeting medication development and therapy combinations also bode well for more effective treatments in the years to come.

Increased Awareness and Improved Diagnosis: Initiatives from organizations are meant to raise awareness of early indicators of the disease and encourage early detection. Advances in brain imaging and biomarkers allow for quicker and more accurate diagnosis, prompt interventions, and potentially even therapeutic benefits.

Market Restraints

High Costs and Affordability Challenges: Innovative Alzheimer's medications, such as Leqembi, can be quite costly. Patients' ability to finance care, even in light of rising disposable income and changing healthcare options, is called into question. Access to costly new treatments may be further restricted in China due to unequal access to healthcare resources across the country's large and diversified population.

Regulatory and Approval Hurdles: The stringent approval procedure for new drugs may cause a delay in their accessibility for Chinese patients. Growth in the market and availability of potentially helpful treatments may be hampered by this. Persistent doubts over the effectiveness and safety of specific treatments, such as Leqembi, may cause the approval process to take longer than expected and increase market uncertainty.

Lack of Awareness and Stigma: The persistent societal stigma around dementia and Alzheimer's disease prevents many people from receiving a diagnosis and treatment, even despite the growing number of awareness campaigns. One of the main barriers preventing the market from reaching a larger spectrum of consumers is this stigma.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

With the help of programs like "Healthy China 2030," China's healthcare laws are always changing to meet the country's healthcare demands. The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) is in charge of overseeing the approval and monitoring of therapeutic drugs. To guarantee safety and efficacy, clinical trial data are thoroughly evaluated, which defines the regulatory environment. Initiatives to speed the approval process for innovative drugs including treatments for Alzheimer's disease have been noted, utilizing methods such as priority reviews. Post-approval, pharmaceutical companies navigate market access and reimbursement considerations, engaging in negotiations with health authorities to make their treatments available.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceutica
• Eisai Co.
• Eli Lilly
• Lundbeck
• Johnson and Johnson
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products
• Hengrui Medicine Co.
• Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine