The psoriasis (PsO) market was valued at $14.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $27.5 billion by 2030 across the seven major markets (7MM*) at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%, according to GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that growth will be driven by the launch of eight new innovator pipeline agents: UCB Pharma’s Bimzelx (bimekizumab), Merck’s sonelokimab, Affibody’s ABY-035/izokibep, Arcutis’ roflumilast, Dermavant’s tapinarof, BMS’ deucravacitinib, Dr. Reddy’s tepilamide fumarate, and Can-Fite’s piclidenoson.

Psoriasis is an incurable, chronic and systemic inflammatory skin disorder with a prevalence of 2–3% worldwide. The exact causes of psoriasis are unknown, although it is believed that environmental factors, skin barrier disruptions, and immune dysfunctions are key components that induce the development of psoriasis. The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris).

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Plaque Psoriasis: Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2030’, reveals that these eight new innovator pipeline agents will mean increased treatment options for mild and moderate PsO patients, a historically undertreated population, which will drive growth over the next 10 years. However, several key biosimilars and generics are also expected to launch which will present major barriers to market growth.

Tiffany Chan, Immunology Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The PsO market is currently at an important commercial juncture. The field has been dominated over the last twenty years by injectable biologics, with more innovative and efficacious therapies launching in the last five years. AbbVie, J&J, and Pfizer have historically been key players in this market.

“However, the market is expected to evolve significantly over the next 10 years as several key patents expire and drug manufacturers move away from injectable biologics and towards novel mechanisms of action.”

With the biologics market becoming thoroughly saturated, a new group of manufacturers are entering the space with therapeutics targeting patient subsets that remain underserved. Of the late-stage pipeline manufacturers, UCB is the only one with a marketed product (TNF-inhibitor Cimzia), which could allow the company to contract its portfolio aggressively. Bristol-Myer Squibb, Merck, Affibody, Arcutis, and Dermavant are hoping to enter the dermatology space with their late-stage pipeline products. Payors interviewed by GlobalData believe that, while not impossible to enter alone, the smaller companies could optimize their uptake by partnering with larger and more experienced companies with pre-existing drug portfolios.

Chan adds: “The market appears to have reached saturation for biologic therapies that target moderate and severe PsO patients. As a result, drug manufacturers will be forced to adapt and innovate. GlobalData expects a lot of movement in this disease space over the next ten years.”

*7MM = US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and Japan.