China Atherosclerosis Therapeutics Market Analysis

China Atherosclerosis Therapeutics Market Executive Summary

China Atherosclerosis Therapeutics Market was valued at $225 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to reach $393 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.2% 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.

The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in China, an indicator of atherosclerosis, is 21.0% for carotid plaque, 0.56% for carotid stenosis, and 26.2% for increased intima-media thickness. Gender and age have an impact, with men typically having a larger prevalence than women and higher rates among older persons. Geographically, because risk factors are concentrated in metropolitan areas, prevalence is higher in urban areas. In China, atherosclerosis plays a major role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which account for about half of all deaths and include peripheral artery disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Cardiovascular illnesses have a significant financial cost that affects healthcare systems and productivity.

The Phase IIb clinical trial for HMPL-523, an innovative oral CETP inhibitor intended to reduce cardiovascular risk, is presently being advanced by Hutchison MediPharma. Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein, or CETP, is essential for lipid metabolism. As a first-in-class inhibitor, HMPL-523 has the potential to entirely alter the approach by which cardiovascular disease is treated. An important step forward in the development of innovative therapeutics for cardiovascular disorders is being made with the ongoing trial, which aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of HMPL-523 in lowering cardiovascular risk.

A Phase II clinical trial has been started by Innovent Therapeutics for IBI-346, an inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) demonstrating potential. IBI-346 targets PCSK9, a protein known for its function in controlling cholesterol levels, and is specially designed to treat hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): With the largest population in the world, China is dealing with 330 Mn people who suffer from CVD, with atherosclerosis being the main cause of these instances. Rapid urbanization and changes in lifestyle patterns, such as unhealthy eating habits, smoking, and sedentary activity, have been strongly linked to the rise in CVD cases.

Aging Population: The rapidly aging population in China is a major driver of market expansion in the atherosclerosis drug treatment industry. Age-related increases in atherosclerosis susceptibility increase demand for medications that address this problem. According to projections, over 25% of China's population is expected to be over 65 by 2030, which will increase demand for atherosclerosis treatment medications and support the market's growth.

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 Cost of Treatment: Accessibility may be limited by the high price of innovative and effective atherosclerosis drugs, especially the most recent biologics. This problem is made more acute in rural areas where access to healthcare is restricted for a significant proportion of the population due to limited insurance coverage and tight healthcare expenditures. A large segment of the population faces accessibility issues because of the high cost of atherosclerosis drug treatment, which operates as a market restraint in China. This is particularly true for rural areas where healthcare budgets and insurance coverage are constrained.

Lack of Awareness and Early Diagnosis: Atherosclerosis and the associated risk factors are not commonly understood among the Chinese community, which could lead to a delayed diagnosis and missed opportunities for early management. Due to this lack of knowledge, the potential market size for opportunities in initial treatment is reduced, which serves as a market restraint.

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 in 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.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

Treatment drug regulations in China are governed by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), which has a thorough drug approval procedure that includes preclinical research, clinical trials, and post-marketing surveillance. The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) decides on reimbursement guidelines and negotiates medication costs with pharmaceutical companies. Strengthening intellectual property protection in the pharmaceutical industry and increasing the coverage of health insurance are two other key objectives of China's healthcare policies.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Pfizer
• Novartis
• AstraZeneca
• Sanofi
• Merck & Co.
• China Resources Pharmaceutical Group
• Huahai Pharmaceutical Group
• Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co.
• Qilu Pharmaceutical Co.
• Yisheng Pharmaceutical Co.