The sickle cell disease treatment market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.20 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 8.81 Bn by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% from 2025 to 2032.

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The market trend for sickle cell disease treatment shows immense potential for growth. Increasing awareness about the disease, improvements in healthcare infrastructure, and rising investments in R&D for novel therapies are some key factors contributing to the rising demand for sickle cell treatment. Greater research emphasis on stem cell and gene therapy as a cure offers promise for growth. Existing drugs mainly address symptoms but recent pipeline drugs hold promise of increasing reimbursements and reducing disease burden.
However, one of the major challenges for the global sickle cell disease treatment market is the high cost of treatment and therapies.

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Gene Therapy Clinical Advancements & Commercialization |
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Sickle cell disease is a very debilitating genetic disorder that has affected millions of people globally. Due to the rising levels of migration and movement of people across different geographies in the past few decades, the prevalence of sickle cell disease has significantly increased in many parts of the world.
For instance, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 5% of the world’s population carries trait genes for hemoglobin disorders, mainly, sickle-cell disease and thalassemia. With more ethnic mixing and interracial marriages happening worldwide, newborns from different ethnic backgrounds are at a higher risk of inheriting the sickle cell gene from their parents.
Advancements in research and therapeutic options have helped increase public understanding of the disease in recent decades. Campaigns by sickle cell disease advocacy groups are educating more people about SCD, its signs and symptoms, and available resources for support. Through their efforts, more at-risk communities and the general public now recognize SCD as a serious health issue.
For instance, Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations, announced on June 19, 2025, a theme as “Uniting for World Sickle Cell Awareness,” Amplifying the voices of individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease.
In terms of treatment type, the blood transfusion segment is expected to contribute the highest share of the market with 43.1% in 2025 owing to its availability and low risks compared to other treatment options for sickle cell disease patients.
Blood transfusion is one of the primary and widely available treatment methods that helps reduce the percentage of sickle hemoglobin in the blood and provides relief from symptoms of the disease. Patients with frequent pain crises or strokes largely rely on regular blood transfusions. Moreover, blood transfusion is a relatively safe option compared to experimental treatments like bone marrow transplantation which carries risks of transplant rejection or infections.
In terms of age group, the adults segment is expected to contribute the highest share of the global sickle cell disease treatment market with 38.3% in 2025, owing to various demographic factors.
Sickle cell disease being a genetic condition, patients are diagnosed from early childhood. However, symptoms generally increase in severity with age and patients require long-term management plans. A majority of affected demographic already falls in the adult category in developing nations where the disease is more prevalent. Treatment needs progressively rise with age as complications like severe pain episodes, organ damage or failures become more frequent in adults.
When examined based on route of administration, the oral segment is projected to gain prominence in the global sickle cell disease treatment market with a share of 55.3% in 2025, owing to advantages over parenteral options.
Oral medications are preferred due to their convenience of self-administration and flexibility. Treatments like hydroxyurea pills require less medical supervision and hospital visits thus avoiding disruption to daily routines. This translates to better compliance seen with oral drugs compared to injectables. Additionally, oral administration eliminates risks of complications from intramuscular or intravenous injections.
Application: Uses CRISPR/Cas9 to edit a patient’s hematopoietic stem cells, permanently activating fetal hemoglobin (HbF) to prevent red blood cell sickling. In phase III trials, 93.5% of participants remained free from severe vaso‑occlusive crises for at least 12 consecutive months. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2023 and by the U.K.’s MHRA in November 2023. As of early 2025, the National Health Service plans to offer treatment to approximately 50 patients annually, with early rollout in London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Application: Delivers a functional beta-globin gene into patient stem cells via a lentiviral vector to correct defective hemoglobin. 88% of patients in pivotal trials experienced a complete resolution of vaso‑occlusive events between 6 and 18 months after treatment.
Example: LYFGENIA is the longest-studied approved gene therapy for sickle cell disease. It is a one-time gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease in individuals 12 years of age or older and a history of vaso-occlusive events (VOEs).
AI is making significant inroads in both the clinical and therapeutic realms of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) treatment.

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North America’s dominance in the sickle cell disease treatment market with a projected share of 35.3% in 2025 can be attributed to the strong presence of major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer Inc. in the region.
According to an article published by Terumo Global in February 2025, NASCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting U.S. sickle cell centers with a national network of over 100 recognized multi-disciplinary SCD centers. NASCC and Terumo BCT will combine their collective expertise with the BET on Blood for SCD partnership to focus on comprehensive strategies to address systemic challenges in SCD care related to blood therapy and cellular therapies.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the fastest growth with a share of 27.7% in 2025, led by countries like India, China, and Southeast Asian nations. Rising healthcare expenditure, growing patient awareness, and efforts by governments to expand access to affordable treatment are driving the market growth in the region.
For instance, according to the National Library of Medicine, in December 2024, hydroxyurea, a standard SCD treatment, is manufactured in India, sold at approximately USD 0.03 to USD 0.18 per 500 mg, and dispensed free through government channels
The U.S. sickle cell disease treatment market is set to witness significant growth, fueled by increased awareness, advanced R&D investments, and a high prevalence of sickle cell disease.
For instance, as per Cleveland, sickle cell anemia affects at least 100,000 people in the U.S.
The U.K. leads the sickle cell disease treatment market, driven by its pioneering advancements in medical innovation.
According to the Sickle Cell Society, approximately 1 in 79 babies born in the U.K. carry sickle cell trait. Children with SCD are at increased risk for stroke, the risk is highest between the ages of 2 and 16.
India has a high prevalence of sickle cell disease, particularly in tribal regions. Government initiatives, such as the National Health Mission's focus on screening and awareness programs, aim to improve diagnosis and treatment access, driving market expansion.
For instance, as per a study by Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, in South Asia, the highest prevalence of the SCD is observed in India, where over 20 million patients with the disease are known to live. The burden of the disease in India is estimated to be second only to that of Africa with the highest frequency of βs allele being found in a belt stretching across central India, from South-eastern Gujarat to South-western Odisha.
South Africa drives the sickle cell disease treatment market through its advanced healthcare infrastructure, high disease burden among infants. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), In Africa, SCD prevalence is exceptionally high, with an estimated 240,000 affected infants born annually. The SCT is believed to offer a survival advantage against malaria, a factor that has influenced its distribution across malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2024 | Market Size in 2025: | USD 3.20 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2025 To 2032 |
| Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: | 15.6% | 2032 Value Projection: | USD 8.81 Bn |
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| Companies covered: |
Novartis AG, Emmaus Medical Inc., Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bluebird Bio, Pfizer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), Sanofi S.A., Merck & Co., Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited |
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*Definition: The Sickle Cell Disease treatment market includes all products and services aimed at managing, alleviating, or potentially curing sickle cell disease and its complications. This covers one-time curative gene and cell therapies like CRISPR/Cas9, supportive pharmacotherapies such as hydroxyurea, L‑glutamine, Voxelotor, and Crizanlizumab; routine blood transfusions and iron chelation; hospital-based acute management, and diagnostic monitoring and long-term patient follow-up.
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About Author
Vipul Patil is a dynamic management consultant with 6 years of dedicated experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Known for his analytical acumen and strategic insight, Vipul has successfully partnered with pharmaceutical companies to enhance operational efficiency, cross broader expansion, and navigate the complexities of distribution in markets with high revenue potential.
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