Despite the axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) market in the US growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%, from $65.6 million in 2020 to $281.8 million by 2030, limited awareness of the disease will remain the main barrier to further grow, and unmet needs will not be addressed during the forecast period, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

AH is a relatively common disorder characterized by the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nerve fibers, causing increased cholinergic sympathetic stimulation of the sweat glands in the axilla (armpit). The etiology of AH is largely unknown; however, it is believed that many factors contribute to AH pathogenesis including genetics, as well as physical and emotional stress.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Axillary Hyperhidrosis Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis and Forecast 2020-2030’, reveals that the growth in this market will be driven by sales of high-priced neuromuscular blockades. However, the main barrier to growth is low diagnosis rates caused by limited disease awareness and this will continue to keep the diagnosis and treatment cases at a low rate. The greater the awareness, the higher the patient pool, and the more opportunities.

Mandana Emamzadeh, PhD, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “A large number of symptomatic treatments are currently being used off-label due to strict health insurance coverage criteria for marketed drugs. The most frequently used drug classes are antiperspirants, anticholinergics, and neuromuscular blockades.”

GlobalData’s report highlights two FDA-approved treatments for the symptomatic management of AH: Journey Medical Corporation’s Qbrexza (glycopyrronium tosylate), with $24.0 million in sales, a first-in-class reformulation of an anticholinergic; and Allergan’s Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A), with $26.4 million sales, a first-in-class neuromuscular blockade. Botox was the market-leading drug in 2020 and is expected to remain the leader with $111.8 million in sales in 2030.

Emamzadeh adds: “The greatest unmet needs within the AH market are improved anticholinergic drug delivery systems, therapies causing longer-lasting neuromuscular blockade, increased awareness and education, and better insurance coverage for treatments. Further, Brickell Biotech’s Ecclock (sofpironium bromide), a me-too drug and a reformulation of anticholinergics, is the only pipeline agent in Phase III development. As a result, GlobalData expects that due to the lack of innovative pipeline agents, the unmet needs will not be addressed during the forecast period, and opportunity remains for developers in the AH market.”