INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

The Intragastric Balloon Market size is expected to reach US$ 707.9 million by 2030, from US$ 372.6 million in 2023, at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period. Intragastric balloons are medical devices that are placed in the stomach endoscopically to reduce the stomach capacity and intake. This procedure is mainly used for weight loss in obese patients. Intragastric balloons offer various advantages such as being less invasive, reversible, and requiring shorter hospital stays. The rising prevalence of obesity and associated diseases is driving the growth of the intragastric balloon market.

The Intragastric Balloon Market is segmented by product type, filling material, end user, route of administration, and region. By product type, the single balloon segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. Single balloons are preferred by patients owing to their safety and efficacy.

Intragastric Balloon Market Regional Insights:

• North America is the largest market for intragastric balloons, accounting for over 50% of the global market share in 2022. This is due to the high prevalence of obesity in the region, as well as the increasing awareness of and demand for minimally invasive weight loss procedures.
• Europe is the second-largest market for intragastric balloons, with a market share of over 30%. The market in Europe is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and the increasing availability of intragastric balloon procedures.

• Asia Pacific is the third-largest market for intragastric balloons, with a market share of over 15%. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and the increasing disposable incomes in the region.

Figure 1. Global Intragastric Balloon Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

Intragastric Balloon Market Drivers:

• Rising prevalence of obesity: Obesity has become a global epidemic, with over 650 million adults worldwide being obese as of 2016. The prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled over the past four decades. Obesity increases the risk of various chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. This is driving the demand for effective long-term weight loss solutions like intragastric balloons. According to the WHO, the global prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. The balloons provide a minimally invasive alternative to tackle obesity.
• Technological advancements in balloon design: There have been significant improvements in intragastric balloon design and functionality over the past decade. Newer balloon models like Orbera365 and Spatz3 allow balloons to stay in the stomach for up to 12 months. Features like smooth surface, improved collapsibility, radiopaque markers for imaging, and addition of gauge ports have enhanced safety and outcomes. Companies are also developing ingestible, swallowable balloons like the Elipse balloon by Allurion Technologies. Such technological enhancements are boosting the adoption of gastric balloons.
• Increasing bariatric surgeries: With rising obesity, the number of bariatric procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy has grown significantly worldwide. Intragastric balloons are often used as a bridge to surgery in extremely obese patients to reduce surgery risks and improve outcomes. They help reduce liver volume allowing for easier access during surgery. According to ASMBS, over 200,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the US in 2017. The balloons provide a reversible, cost-effective option before surgery.
• Favorable reimbursement policies: Expanding insurance coverage for obesity treatment is improving access to weight loss procedures including gastric balloons. In the US, intragastric balloons are covered by Medicaid and Medicare in people with severe obesity and comorbidities. Coverage by Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare has also increased owing to long-term cost benefits of weight loss. Such favorable reimbursement is accelerating the adoption of balloon procedures.

Intragastric Balloon Market Opportunities:

• Huge untapped patient population in developing countries: Developing countries have a high burden of obesity and related disorders. According to the Obesity Society, India and China together have about 415 million obese individuals. But penetration of weight loss procedures is quite low in these countries. Cost, lack of awareness, limited healthcare access are key barriers. Companies have significant opportunities to tap this large untapped patient pool through geographic expansion, partnerships with local providers, awareness programs and cost-reduction.
• Increasing use of connected health platforms: The integration of connected health technologies like mobile apps, ingestible sensors, wearables and virtual care with intragastric balloons can transform obesity management. Companies are collaborating to develop supporting digital health platforms. For instance, Allurion’s Virtual Care Suite provides remote monitoring before and after balloon placement. Such tools allow real-time data collection, improve patient engagement and compliance. Their adoption can improve weight loss outcomes.
• Combination therapies for enhanced results: Combining intragastric balloons with other anti-obesity interventions can lead to greater weight loss. Adding medications, behavioral therapy, physical activity or diet plans to balloon treatment can improve results. Dual-balloon systems also offer better weight loss than single balloons. Research is ongoing on combining balloons with gastric electrical stimulation, aspiration therapy etc. Such combination strategies can significantly expand the applicability of gastric balloons.
• Increasing medical tourism for obesity treatment: Rise of medical tourism provides opportunities for weight loss balloon manufacturers. Cost advantage, minimal waiting times, availability of improved healthcare services are attracting patients from developed countries to travel for the procedure. Companies are expanding footprint in top medical tourism destinations like India, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia. Partnerships with hospitals and surgeons catering to medical tourists will help drive growth.

Intragastric Balloon Market Trends:

• Increasing preference for minimally invasive procedures: Patients are increasingly seeking minimally invasive alternatives for weight loss like balloons and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. These have advantages of shorter hospital stays, lower complication risks, and quicker recovery over traditional surgery. Balloons in particular have seen higher adoption owing to the simplicity, reversibility and non-permanent nature of the procedure. Patients are more inclined towards trying safer temporary options before considering permanent surgical changes.
• Growing usage of dual and triple balloon systems: Advanced multi-balloon systems are gaining preference over single balloons for longer-term weight loss benefits. Dual balloons like Orbera365 provide greater stomach restriction through two linked balloons. This leads to greater satiety, portion control and weight loss maintenance. In Europe, the new Spatz3 adjustable triple balloon allows progressive three-step expansion over 12 months for personalized results. Such multi-balloon options offer better clinical outcomes.
• Increasing demand for non-surgical outpatient weight loss options: There is growing inclination towards outpatient intragastric balloon placement over inpatient surgery for convenience, cost savings and reduced downtime. Elipse, Orbera and ReShape balloons can be placed endoscopically in GI clinics/ambulatory surgery centers without anesthesia requirements. Market leaders are focusing on expanding outpatient placement facilities through partnerships with bariatric clinics and individual providers.
• Advancements in balloon placement and removal processes: Technological developments are making balloon placement and removal safer, faster and easier. Smaller balloons, smooth surfaces and radiopaque markings allow quick endoscopic insertion and positioning. Smart gastrointestinal suturing devices like Apollo Endosurgery’s OverStitch facilitate reliable balloon fixation. Similarly, advances in removal processes like Obalon’s detachable shell reduce risks and procedure time. This is propelling adoption among patients and providers.

Intragastric Balloon Market Restraints:

• Adverse events and complications: Potential risks like balloon deflation, gastric obstruction, ulcers, nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain can limit gastric balloon adoption. Serious adverse events like bowel obstruction, perforation and death have also been reported in small numbers. Strict adherence to placement and removal protocols is required to minimize complications. Lack of long-term safety data also contributes to hesitancy among some patients and providers.
• Lack of awareness in developing regions: In developing countries, awareness about intragastric balloons as a weight loss option remains low among both patients and healthcare providers. Access to information about risks and benefits is not widespread. Concerns about safety, misconceptions about reversibility also exist, limiting uptake. Companies need to undertake extensive educational programs showcasing balloon advantages to aid adoption in developing markets.
• High upfront costs and low insurance coverage: Intragastric balloon treatment, though less expensive than surgery, can still cost between $6,000 to $15,000 out-of-pocket in Western countries. Many insurers still consider the procedure experimental or cosmetic and do not cover it. Lack of reimbursement limits the vast eligible patient population that can benefit. Upfront costs are a key barrier to higher penetration and require addressing.

Recent Developments:

New product launches:

• In January 2022, Apollo Endosurgery received FDA approval for its Orbera365 Managed Weight Loss System, the first intragastric balloon with an indication for weight loss therapy of up to 12 months. This enhanced system can help patients achieve and maintain weight loss goals.
• In June 2021, Spatz3, a new dual intragastric balloon system by Spatz FGIA, received CE mark approval. It is designed to remain in the stomach for up to 12 months to induce early satiety and help with weight loss.
• In May 2019, Allurion Technologies launched Allurion Virtual Care Suite, a digital health platform to support patients before and after the Elipse gastric balloon procedure. This can improve patient outcomes.

Acquisition and partnerships:

• In August 2022, Apollo Endosurgery partnered with Batra Weight Loss to establish obesity treatment centers across India providing access to the Orbera365 Managed Weight Loss System.
• In January 2022, GI Dynamics signed a partnership agreement with Ara Capital to commercialize EndoBarrier in the US upon receiving FDA approval.
• In December 2020, ReShape Lifesciences acquired the Lap-Band system from Apollo Endosurgery to expand its weight loss portfolio.

Figure 2. Global Intragastric Balloon Market Share (%), by Product Type, 2023

Top companies in Intragastric Balloon Market:

• Allergan (Acquired by Abbott)
• Apollo Endosurgery
• Reshape Medical
• Helioscopie Medical
• Spatz FGIA
• Endalis
• Districlass Medical
• Lexal
• Medicone
• Obalon Therapeutics
• Silimed
• Medsil
• ReShape Lifesciences
• EndoArt
• MedSil
• Silimed
• Medsil
• MetaCure
• Semmar

Definition: The intragastric balloon market refers to the industry and market related to intragastric balloon medical devices. Intragastric balloons are soft, fluid-filled balloons that are placed in the stomach through minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. These balloons aid in weight loss by occupying space in the stomach, inducing satiety through neurohormonal signals, and slowing gastric emptying. The global market for intragastric balloons has been growing steadily owing to the rising incidence of obesity and advantages over invasive bariatric surgeries. Key players, new product launches, partnerships, and geographic expansion are shaping the competitive landscape.

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