The Age-Related Macular Degeneration Drug Market: A Growing Opportunity in Vision Care

 Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has emerged as one of the most significant challenges in ophthalmology, affecting millions of people worldwide and driving substantial growth in the pharmaceutical industry. As the global population ages, the Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) drug market is experiencing unprecedented expansion, presenting both opportunities and challenges for patients, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies.

Request a Sample: https://www.futurewiseresearch.com/contact.aspx?rpt=3924&type=requestsample

Market Size and Growth Trajectory

The AMD drug market has demonstrated remarkable growth momentum in recent years. The global age-related macular degeneration market size was valued at USD 10.82 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2024 to 2030. Other market analyses project even stronger growth, with some forecasts suggesting the global AMD drugs market is set to grow from USD 10.46 billion in 2024 to USD 17.37 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 10%.

This robust growth is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of AMD among the aging population. The demographic shift toward an older global population directly correlates with higher AMD incidence rates, as the condition predominantly affects individuals over 50 years of age.

Wet vs. Dry AMD: Market Dynamics

The AMD drug market is distinctly segmented into treatments for wet and dry forms of the disease. The wet AMD segment dominated the market with the largest revenue of USD 9.4 billion in 2024 and is also expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. This dominance reflects the more advanced treatment options available for wet AMD, which involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina.

For decades, dry AMD – the more common form affecting approximately 85-90% of AMD patients – lacked effective treatment options. However, this landscape changed dramatically in 2023 with groundbreaking FDA approvals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) and Izervay (avacincaptad pegol), the very first drugs for treating geographic atrophy (GA), also known as late-stage "dry" age-related macular degeneration. These approvals represent a paradigm shift that could significantly impact market dynamics in the coming years.

Key Market Players and Competitive Landscape

The AMD drug market is dominated by several established treatments, particularly in the wet AMD segment. Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapies have been the cornerstone of wet AMD treatment, with drugs like Lucentis (ranibizumab), Eylea (aflibercept), and newer entrants like Vabysmo (faricimab) commanding significant market share.

However, the competitive landscape is evolving rapidly. Eylea is set to lose market exclusivity in the US in 2024 and in the 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) in 2025, leading to an anticipated entry of biosimilars. This patent cliff is expected to create opportunities for biosimilar manufacturers while potentially reducing treatment costs for patients and healthcare systems.

Healthcare Infrastructure and Access

The distribution of AMD treatments is heavily influenced by healthcare infrastructure capabilities. Hospitals are projected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period of 2024-2029. This growth can be attributed to factors such as the ability of hospitals to provide comprehensive care to patients through advanced healthcare infrastructure and specialized treatment facilities.

This trend highlights the importance of specialized care in AMD management, as treatments often require precise administration techniques and ongoing monitoring by trained ophthalmologists.

Regional Growth Opportunities

While developed markets continue to drive significant revenue, emerging markets present substantial growth opportunities. The Asia-Pacific and EMEA regions are experiencing notable expansion in AMD treatment access, driven by healthcare reforms and improved vision care infrastructure.

Future Outlook

The AMD drug market stands at an inflection point. With new treatments for dry AMD now available and continued innovation in wet AMD therapies, the market is poised for sustained growth. The challenge moving forward will be ensuring equitable access to these breakthrough treatments while managing healthcare costs as patent exclusivities expire and biosimilars enter the market.

As research continues into novel therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy and sustained-release drug delivery systems, the AMD drug market is likely to see continued evolution and expansion, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide facing this vision-threatening condition.