US Orphan Diseases Drugs Market Analysis

US Orphan Diseases Drugs Market Analysis


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The US Orphan Diseases Drugs are projected to grow from $65.02 Bn in 2022 to $123.05 Bn by 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period of 2022-30. Orphan drugs are very expensive and can be difficult to access for patients and their families. This high pricing is driven by the high cost of research and development, as well as the small patient population for these drugs. Alexion Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases, including a drug for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

ID: IN10USPH019 CATEGORY: Pharmaceuticals GEOGRAPHY: US AUTHOR: Shivam Zalke

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US Orphan Diseases Drugs Executive Summary

The US Orphan Diseases Drugs are projected to grow from $65.02 Bn in 2022 to $123.05 Bn by 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period of 2022-30.

Orphan diseases are rare conditions that affect a small portion of the population. In the United States, the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 provides incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for orphan diseases. These incentives include tax credits for clinical research expenses, user fee exemptions, and market exclusivity for a period of seven years.

As a result of these incentives, many pharmaceutical companies have developed drugs to treat orphan diseases. Some examples of orphan disease drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:

  • Eteplirsen (Exondys 51) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa) for Pompe disease
  • Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for cystic fibrosis
  • Spinraza (nusinersen) for spinal muscular atrophy
  • Brineura (cerliponase alfa) for CLN2 disease

It is worth noting that these drugs are very expensive and accessing them can be difficult for patients and their families.

us orphan diseases drugs market analysis

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

The key drivers of the US orphan diseases drugs market include:

  1. Government incentives: The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 provides financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for orphan diseases, which has led to an increase in the number of drugs for these conditions being developed and marketed.
  2. Advancements in technology and research: Advances in genetic research and technology have led to a better understanding of the underlying causes of orphan diseases, which in turn has led to the development of new treatments
  3. Growing patient population: The number of people affected by orphan diseases is on the rise, and as the population continues to grow, so too will the demand for treatments for these conditions
  4. High unmet medical needs: Orphan diseases often have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and their families, and there is a high unmet medical need for effective treatments for these conditions
  5. High pricing: Orphan drugs are very expensive and can be difficult to access for patients and their families. This high pricing is driven by the high cost of research and development, as well as the small patient population for these drugs.
  6. Increasing awareness and advocacy: There is an increasing awareness and advocacy among patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, which is driving the growth of the orphan drugs market

Overall, these factors are driving the growth of the US orphan diseases drugs market, and it is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

There are several key players operating in the US orphan diseases drugs market, including:

  • Pfizer: Pfizer is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, and it has a number of orphan drugs in its portfolio, including drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease
  • Biogen: Biogen is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing treatments for neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy
  • Novartis: Novartis is a global healthcare company that has a number of orphan drugs in its portfolio, including drugs for cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy
  • Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Alexion Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases, including a drug for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
  • Sarepta Therapeutics: Sarepta Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing treatments for rare genetic disorders, including drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • Gilead Sciences: Gilead is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that has a number of orphan drugs in its portfolio, including drugs for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

These companies have a strong presence in the US orphan disease drugs market and are expected to continue to play a major role in the market in the future.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The US orphan diseases drugs market is governed by several healthcare policies and regulatory bodies. The most significant of these is the Orphan Drug Act of 1983, which provides financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for orphan diseases. These incentives include tax credits for clinical research expenses, user fee exemptions, and market exclusivity for a period of seven years.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the main regulatory body that oversees the development and approval of orphan drugs in the United States. The FDA has a specific Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) that is responsible for overseeing the development and approval of orphan drugs. The OOPD also provides grants to support research on orphan products and provides scientific and regulatory advice to sponsors of orphan drug applications.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also play a role in the US orphan diseases drugs market. CMS is responsible for determining coverage and reimbursement for drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which are important sources of funding for many patients with orphan diseases.

In addition to these policies, the Affordable drug pricing and Medicaid negotiation act of 2019 (H.R. 3) was introduced in congress with the purpose to lower drug prices and increase transparency in the prescription drug market but hasn't been passed yet.

Overall, the regulatory landscape for the US orphan diseases drugs market is designed to encourage the development of treatments for these conditions while also ensuring that they are safe and effective for patients.

1. Executive Summary
1.1 Disease Overview
1.2 Global Scenario
1.3 Country Overview
1.4 Healthcare Scenario in Country
1.5 Patient Journey
1.6 Health Insurance Coverage in Country
1.7 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)
1.8 Recent Developments in the Country

2. Market Size and Forecasting
2.1 Epidemiology of Disease
2.2 Market Size (With Excel & Methodology)
2.3 Market Segmentation (Check all Segments in Segmentation Section)

3. Market Dynamics
3.1 Market Drivers
3.2 Market Restraints

4. Competitive Landscape
4.1 Major Market Share

4.2 Key Company Profile (Check all Companies in the Summary Section)

4.2.1 Company
4.2.1.1 Overview
4.2.1.2 Product Applications and Services
4.2.1.3 Recent Developments
4.2.1.4 Partnerships Ecosystem
4.2.1.5 Financials (Based on Availability)

5. Reimbursement Scenario
5.1 Reimbursement Regulation
5.2 Reimbursement Process for Diagnosis
5.3 Reimbursement Process for Treatment

6. Methodology and Scope

Orphan Diseases Drugs Market Segmentation

Therapeutic area

  • Cancer
  • Neurological condition
  • Cardiovascular condition
  • Musculoskeletal condition
  • Hematologic condition
  • Others

Route of administration

The injectable segment dominated the market and is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the launch of novel injectables for the treatment of rare diseases.

  • Oral
  • Injectable
  • Others

Drug Type

Biologics dominated the market and is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The advancement in biotechnology and research techniques has facilitated the development of novel biologics. High target specificity and potential of biological drugs revolutionizing the treatments of several rare diseases are expected to fuel the segment growth.

  • Biologics
  • Biosimilars  
  • Small molecule

Distribution Channel

The specialty pharmacy segment dominated the market. The dominance can be attributed to strategic initiatives undertaken by key players, such as the acquisition of specialty pharmacies for the distribution of their products.

  • Hospital Pharmacy
  • Specialty Pharmacy
  • Online Pharmacy

Methodology for Database Creation

Our database offers a comprehensive list of healthcare centers, meticulously curated to provide detailed information on a wide range of specialties and services. It includes top-tier hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic facilities across 30 countries and 24 specialties, ensuring users can find the healthcare services they need.​

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive list of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) based on your requirements. Our curated list captures various crucial aspects of the KOLs, offering more than just general information. Whether you're looking to boost brand awareness, drive engagement, or launch a new product, our extensive list of KOLs ensures you have the right experts by your side. Covering 30 countries and 36 specialties, our database guarantees access to the best KOLs in the healthcare industry, supporting strategic decisions and enhancing your initiatives.

How Do We Get It?

Our database is created and maintained through a combination of secondary and primary research methodologies.

1. Secondary Research

With many years of experience in the healthcare field, we have our own rich proprietary data from various past projects. This historical data serves as the foundation for our database. Our continuous process of gathering data involves:

  • Analyzing historical proprietary data collected from multiple projects.
  • Regularly updating our existing data sets with new findings and trends.
  • Ensuring data consistency and accuracy through rigorous validation processes.

With extensive experience in the field, we have developed a proprietary GenAI-based technology that is uniquely tailored to our organization. This advanced technology enables us to scan a wide array of relevant information sources across the internet. Our data-gathering process includes:

  • Searching through academic conferences, published research, citations, and social media platforms
  • Collecting and compiling diverse data to build a comprehensive and detailed database
  • Continuously updating our database with new information to ensure its relevance and accuracy

2. Primary Research

To complement and validate our secondary data, we engage in primary research through local tie-ups and partnerships. This process involves:

  • Collaborating with local healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics to gather real-time data.
  • Conducting surveys, interviews, and field studies to collect fresh data directly from the source.
  • Continuously refreshing our database to ensure that the information remains current and reliable.
  • Validating secondary data through cross-referencing with primary data to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Combining Secondary and Primary Research

By integrating both secondary and primary research methodologies, we ensure that our database is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date. The combined process involves:

  • Merging historical data from secondary research with real-time data from primary research.
  • Conducting thorough data validation and cleansing to remove inconsistencies and errors.
  • Organizing data into a structured format that is easily accessible and usable for various applications.
  • Continuously monitoring and updating the database to reflect the latest developments and trends in the healthcare field.

Through this meticulous process, we create a final database tailored to each region and domain within the healthcare industry. This approach ensures that our clients receive reliable and relevant data, empowering them to make informed decisions and drive innovation in their respective fields.

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Last updated on: 30 October 2023
Updated by: Anish Swaminathan

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