On July 8th, it’s the 20th World Allergy Day. Let’s once again focus on this increasingly serious global public health issue. Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and conditions like diarrhea caused by peanut allergies not only significantly impact the quality of life for hundreds of millions globally but also impose a heavy economic burden on the global economy. In the face of this serious challenge, the anti-allergy drug market is experiencing unprecedented opportunities for development. At the same time, new trends in drug research and development are offering new possibilities for treating allergic diseases.
Market Heating Up: Continued Growth in Demand for Allergy Medications
In April this year, the anti-allergy medication loratadine surged into the spotlight as a hot topic on Weibo, with discussions surpassing a billion views. This trend is also reflected in online platform data. According to data released by platforms like Meituan Buy Medicine and JD Buy Medicine, starting from mid-March, searches for loratadine have increased by 1.5 times compared to early March. Additionally, searches for “allergic rhinitis” have doubled during this period. Additionally, Meituan Buy Medicine’s “Spring Allergy Season Outlook” report further reveals that the demand for allergy medications in spring has surged to 1.6 times that of the same period last year.
Similarly, market sales data also demonstrate the strong momentum of this trend. According to CMH-LingSu system from Sino Health, systemic anti-allergy drugs showed rapid growth from 2019 to 2022, with a slight decline in 2023. The sales figures from 2019 to 2023 were RMB 2.129 billion, RMB 2.158 billion, RMB 2.475, RMB 2.884 billion, and RMB 2.823 billion respectively.
In addition, according to authoritative forecasts from Frost & Sullivan, the Chinese market for anti-allergy medications is expected to experience exponential growth by 2030, reaching a market size of USD 21.6 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.1%. The driving force behind this growth is undoubtedly the expanding base of patients with allergic diseases. In the future, with the development and application of more innovative medications, the Chinese market for anti-allergy drugs will continue to maintain this rapid growth trend, providing patients with more treatment options and hope.
Inflammatory & Immune Diseases Models
New Trend in Research and Development: Biologically Targeted Drugs Reshaping the Landscape of Anti-Allergy Treatments
Currently, the allergy drug market is undergoing significant changes. While traditional drugs such as antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, corticosteroids, and calcium channel blockers still hold certain market shares, targeted drugs are gradually becoming the mainstream trend. Biological targeted drugs and small molecule targeted drugs, with their precise ability to reduce inflammation reactions and immune cell activity, are becoming new options for treating allergic diseases.
Among them, targets such as IL-4R, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17 have become hotspots for research and development. Targeted drugs like dupilumab, omalizumab, and others that have already been approved for market have demonstrated huge market potential. The domestic allergy drug market is expected to continue growing. With increasing patient awareness and affordability regarding allergic diseases, and the introduction of domestically produced targeted drugs, the market is poised for a period of rapid development. In addition, multiple targets around the type 2 immune pathway, such as TSLP and IL-33, are being actively pursued by domestic and international companies. There is hope for the introduction of more innovative drugs to meet clinical needs. Overall, the field of allergy drugs is showing potential for the emergence of blockbuster drugs, but there are still relatively few targeted drugs that have been approved for market. The market potential remains enormous.
Innovation Empowerment: Medicilon Platform Facilitates One-stop Development of Anti-allergy Drugs
In the development of allergy-related medications, disease animal models play a crucially important role. As a company dedicated to pharmaceutical R&D services, Medicilon has achieved significant success in the development of disease animal models.
Medicilon’s Preclinical Pharmacology Department has substantial expertise and experience in the development of allergy disease models. Medicilon has successfully established various allergy disease models including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and ulcerative colitis. These models are highly regarded for their efficacy evaluation capabilities, providing strong support for the drug development of allergic diseases.
| Disease | Model |
|---|---|
| Atopic Dermatitis | (1) Phorbol ester-induced acute eczema-like model (2) DNFB-induced subacute eczema-like model (3) DNFB-induced chronic atopic dermatitis model |
| Allergic Rhinitis | OVA + aluminum hydroxide-induced model OVA + acellular pertussis vaccine-induced model |
| Respiratory Diseases | Expectorant experiment (phenol red secretion method) |
| Allergic Conjunctivitis | Acute ocular inflammation model |
| Ulcerative Colitis (Crohn’s Disease) | TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice |
Medicilon is one of the few comprehensive biopharmaceutical preclinical research and development service platforms in China, offering not only animal models for allergic diseases, but also advanced formulation research and development technologies for treating respiratory, digestive, skin, and eye allergies, among other conditions. Medicilon provides services for developing high-end formulations such as topical dermatological products, inhalants, and ophthalmic drugs, aiming to empower comprehensive preclinical development of allergy treatments.
For topical dermatological formulations, Medicilon is capable of handling the development process for various types of topical formulations. This includes semi-solid formulations such as ointments, creams, and gels, as well as liquid formulations like liniments and lotions. Medicilon is dedicated to meeting diverse needs in the treatment of skin diseases.
For inhalation drugs, Medicilon is well-versed in the development process of various inhalation formulations, particularly in the fields of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), nebulized inhalers, and nasal sprays. Medicilon possess extensive research and development experience and can provide comprehensive services ranging from formulation development to production, quality research, pharmacokinetic modeling, and safety evaluation. This robust support enables the development of inhalation drugs with strong expertise and capabilities.
For ophthalmic drugs, Medicilon possesses unique intraocular drug delivery technology and is equipped with advanced ophthalmic surgical microscopes. In addition to conventional eye drop and eye ointment administration methods, Medicilon can achieve precise administration in animal species such as rabbits, dogs, small pigs, and non-human primates. They provide high-quality and efficient experimental research services, as well as professional support for regulatory submissions and project management.
Allergic disease is a global challenge that requires collective efforts to address. With the rapid growth of the anti-allergy drug market and emerging trends in research and development, we have reason to believe that there will be significant breakthroughs in the treatment of allergic diseases. In this process, Medicilon will rely on its one stop comprehensive biopharmaceutical preclinical research and development service platform and allergic disease animal models to continuously empower innovative pharmaceutical companies to develop more efficient and safe anti-allergy drugs. Let us work together to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with allergic diseases.
