South Africa Cancer Immunotherapy Market Analysis

South Africa Cancer Immunotherapy Market Executive Analysis

South Africa's cancer immunotherapy market is expected to witness growth from $731 Mn in 2022 to $1,387 Mn in 2030 with a CAGR of 8.3% for the forecasted year 2022-30. According to budget data provided by the South African National Treasury, the government would allot at least $44 Bn to health over the course of the three-year Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to support the provision of equal access to healthcare services. The department will get $14 Bn in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The report states that the allocation will enable the health sector to concentrate on clearing the backlog in basic health services. Additional money for the health function totalling $0.41 Bn in 2023–24, $0.43 Bn in 2024–25, and $5 Bn in 2025–26 is included in the budget for 2023.

Males diagnosed with cancer made up 48.6% of cases in South Africa in 2018, while females made up 51,3%. For females and males, the median age at cancer diagnosis was 59 years old. The median age at cancer death, however, was 64 for men and 62 for women, indicating that cancer in men may be detected at an earlier stage than in women. Black African women had the greatest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer; this is probably because of the late detection of the disease or the high prevalence of HIV in this demographic. Cervical cancer is considerably more likely to strike women with HIV than those without it. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer in almost all cases.

A paradigm change in cancer treatment has recently been prompted by our increased awareness of various immune checkpoints that provide malignancies with an immunosuppressive role. Although several strategies to block immune checkpoint pathways have shown promise, the focus has been on creating monoclonal antibodies that block receptors with immunosuppressive qualities. Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Programmed cell death-ligand 2 (PD-L2) receptors are the principal initiators and maintainers of immune checkpoints. T-cell proliferation and cytokine production are impacted by the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, which dampens the immune response. It has been demonstrated that blocking this route improves the body's anticancer defences. The human IgG4 anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab are included in the list of particular target medications.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

In South Africa, the prevalence of cancer is rising, creating a greater demand for efficient treatment alternatives. With over 115,000 new instances of cancer identified each year, South Africa has the sixth-highest incidence rate of cancer in Africa, according to the Cancer Association of South Africa.  A tailored therapy called immunotherapy makes use of the patient's own immune system to combat cancer. Demand for these treatments is anticipated to rise as patients and medical professionals become more aware of the potential advantages of immunotherapy. The South African government has invested in cancer research and treatment facilities as part of its attempts to improve cancer care in the nation. These programs should make cancer immunotherapy more widely available and enhance patient outcomes. These factors are responsible for the growth of the South African cancer immunotherapy market.

Market Restraints

Cancer treatment has a high price tag and may be out of reach for certain patients. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income nations like South Africa, where access to cancer care is severely hampered by the high expense of treatment. Immunotherapy may not be widely used in South Africa due to a lack of understanding among patients and medical staff regarding its potential advantages. Oncologists and other experts are in low supply, and South Africa's healthcare system is still under development. This can make it harder for individuals to obtain cancer immunotherapy and other modern treatments thereby limiting the growth of the South African cancer immunotherapy market.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Wrapsa (ZAF)
• Genop Healthcare (ZAF)
• Phed Pharma (ZAF)
• Xenia Pharmaceutical (ZAF)
• Austell Pharmaceuticals (ZAF)
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Novartis
• Celgene
• Amgen
• Merck
• Janssen
• Seattle Genetics
• Printegra
• Gristone Oncology

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The National Health Insurance (NHI) program, which is being implemented progressively, offers public health insurance in South Africa. All South Africans will be eligible for NHI-funded universal health coverage, which will include cancer treatment. The program is still in its infancy; therefore the degree of cancer coverage may differ based on the region and the resources available. South Africa also offers private health insurance, with a variety of plans offering various degrees of coverage for cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and other treatments might be covered, depending on the specific insurance policy. Cancer treatment in South Africa can be expensive out-of-pocket, especially for those without insurance. Additionally, certain more modern and sophisticated cancer therapies might not be covered by insurance companies, which would result in high expenses for people who need these therapies.