UK Atherosclerosis Therapeutics Market Analysis

UK Atherosclerosis Therapeutics Market Executive Summary

UK Atherosclerosis therapeutics market was valued at $73 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to reach $97 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period.

Atherosclerosis causes plaque, a sticky material consisting of calcium, fat, cholesterol, and other components, to accumulate inside the walls of arteries. This buildup increases the risk of serious illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes, which cause blood vessels to narrow or get blocked. Numerous variables, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, a family history of heart disease, inactivity, and an unhealthy diet, can lead to atherosclerosis. Numerous medications, including statins, aspirin, and beta-blockers, have demonstrated potential in reducing or halting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) affects approximately 5.4 Mn people in the UK, or 6.82% of the population overall, demonstrating the condition's extensive prevalence. Age plays a pivotal role, with less than 1% of individuals aged 45–54 reporting angina, a common symptom, while this figure rises to 9% in men and 5% in women aged 65–74. Contributing factors to the high prevalence include unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet, along with over 60% of adults in the UK being overweight or obese. The risk is further increased by a genetic predisposition and pre-existing medical disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. The most common cause of death in the United Kingdom is atherosclerosis, which accounts for approximately one-third of all deaths. It also places a heavy burden on the healthcare system, resulting in significant annual costs for the National Health Service (NHS), and lowers the quality of life for millions of people who live with the condition and its complications.

Novartis has been granted permission to market Inclunox (iclusib), a novel oral drug aimed at treating familial chylomicronemia syndrome, in the United Kingdom. This rare type of hereditary dyslipidemia is intimately linked to atherosclerosis, a disorder that causes plaque to build up in the arteries.

Onpattro (patisiran) has been approved in the UK by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. This novel treatment for hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, which is occasionally associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, uses transthyretin RNA silencing.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Atherosclerosis: In the UK, 6.82% of people currently struggle with atherosclerosis, and the risk increases significantly as people age. This sizable and growing patient population creates a growing demand for viable treatment options, which is one of the main factors propelling market expansion in the atherosclerosis treatment industry.

Aging Population: Over 11 Mn people in the UK, or 18.6% of the population, are 65 years of age or older, which significantly drives the demand for atherosclerosis therapeutics. This is expected to grow to 13 Mn by 2030 and 15.5 Mn by 2045. This expansion is expected to be correlated with the increasing incidence of atherosclerosis in older individuals, which will likely lead to a steady increase in the need for treatment.

Rising Awareness and Early Diagnosis: As a result of improved screening methods and heightened public awareness of cardiovascular health, atherosclerosis is discovered early, encouraging people to seek treatment sooner rather than later. This early intervention is likely to drive greater demand for medication throughout patient's lives.

Market Restraints

High Drug Cost and Affordability: Increased prescription costs could be a significant barrier for patients, particularly those with numerous health issues or limited incomes, and could prevent newer, potentially more expensive therapies from being widely adopted. The National Health Service's (NHS) budgetary restrictions may have an effect on discussions over drug costs and payment decisions, which may result in restricted access to particular treatments. The market for atherosclerosis treatments is constrained by the difficulties presented by expensive prescription drugs and NHS budgetary restrictions. These factors can prevent the wider adoption of novel, potentially more effective medications, limiting patient access and affecting market penetration overall.

Compliance and Adherence Issues: Long-term drug adherence is often required for the treatment of atherosclerosis, which can be challenging for some patients who experience adverse effects, forgetfulness, or low motivation. The complexity of managing multiple medications for various health conditions further exacerbates challenges with adherence. The need for long-term medication adherence, along with difficulties like side effects and the difficulty of managing multiple medications, may discourage patient compliance, limiting the market potential for treatment solutions. This presents a market restraint for the atherosclerosis therapeutics market.

Regulatory Hurdles: Prolonged clinical studies and stringent regulatory procedures may present challenges and higher expenses for pharmaceutical companies, delaying the release of new medications. Regulations that are unclear lead to ambiguity, which makes it difficult for firms to operate successfully and plan for approval processes. The unclear regulatory landscape makes it difficult for innovators to estimate requirements and review schedules, which could lead to major delays in the discovery of novel drugs. Because of this intricacy, careful planning and coordination are required at many different phases, such as clinical studies, manufacturing, and marketing approval. The unpredictability of regulations prevents business expansion.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

In the United Kingdom, healthcare policy and the regulation of therapeutic drugs involve multiple agencies. The principal regulatory entity overseeing the effectiveness, safety, and quality of medications, particularly prescription drugs, is the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) holds a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policy by evaluating the cost-effectiveness of therapies and providing recommendations to the National Health Service (NHS) regarding the utilization of various medications, including those prescribed for therapeutic purposes.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Pfizer
• Novartis
• AstraZeneca
• Sanofi
• Merck & Co.
• Janssen Pharmaceuticals
• Bayer
• Abbott
• Eli Lilly
• Roche