Cytokine Market Analysis

The global cytokine market was valued at US$ 77,796.1 Mn in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 141,667.1 Mn by 2028 at a CAGR of 8.9%between 2022 and 2028. The global cytokine market is experiencing strong growth due to the increase in burden of cancer around the world and rising number of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic applications of cytokines. The outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic) is also expected to boost the growth of the market. However, high costs of cytokines-based therapies and lack of specificity are some major factors are expected to hinder growth of the global cytokine market.

Global Cytokine Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the cytokine market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Among regions, North America is expected to gain highest share in the market over the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of cancer (especially in the United States) and increasing acceptance in cancer therapy in this region. For instance, to date, two cytokines have achieved FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval as single agents for cancer treatment: high-dose, bolus IL-2 for metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma and IFN-α for the adjuvant therapy of Stage III melanoma.

Asia Pacific is also expected to witness robust growth in the global cytokine market due to the increase in prevalence of chronic disease, such as cancer, or increase in burden of cancer. For instance, in cancer, cytokine therapy help the immune system kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. According to the report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the ‘Burden of cancers in India’, the number of Indians suffering from cancer is expected to increase to 29.8 million in 2025 from 26.7 million in 2021.

Figure 1. Global Cytokine Market Share (%), by Region, 2021

Global Cytokine Market Drivers:

Increase in burden of cancer around the world is expected to augment the growth of the global cytokine market over the forecast period. Cytokine-based immunotherapy is a promising field in the cancer treatment, since cytokines are able to modulate the host immune response toward cancer cell, as well as induce tumor cell death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cancer was the leading cause of death across the globe, accounting for more than ten million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.

Rising number of diagnostic, therapeutic, & prophylactic applications of cytokines is expected to propel the growth of the global cytokine market during the forecast period. For instance, in November 2021, Synthekine Inc. and Merck entered into a worldwide research collaboration and license agreement to discover, develop, and commercialize novel cytokine therapeutics. The companies will first look into potential therapies for autoimmune illnesses but can later go into immunology, oncology, and other indications.

Global Cytokine Market Opportunities:

Increase in research and development and increase in number of clinical trials is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players in the cytokine market. For instance, in January 2019, NantKwest Inc. announced the launch of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Phase II trial deploying novel triple combination of off-the-shelf Natural Killer haNK Cell Therapy with Superagonist IL-15 Cytokine Therapy and PD-l1 Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. haNK, taNK, & t-haNK platforms have been designed to address certain limitations of T-cell therapies including the reduction of risk of serious cytokine storms.

Outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic) is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global cytokine market. For instance, in September 2020, National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a US$ 3 million grant to Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute to study how SARS-CoV-19 weakens immune system and identify drugs to help infected individuals recover. The main objective of the study is to learn how the coronavirus (COVID-19) inactivates the antiviral cytokine pathways.

Cytokine Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2021	Market Size in 2021:	US$ 77,796.1 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2020	Forecast Period:	2022 to 2028
Forecast Period 2022 to 2030 CAGR:	8.9%	2028 Value Projection:	US$ 141,667.1 Mn
Geographies covered:	North America: U.S. and Canada Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America Europe: Germany, U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East: GCC Countries, Israel, and Rest of Middle East Africa: South Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa
Segments covered:	By Cytokine Type: Tumor Necrosis Factor-TNF, Interleukins-II, Interferons-IFN, Epidermal Growth Factor-EGF, and Other Cytokine Types By Therapeutic Application: Cancer, Asthma and Airway Inflammation, Arthritis, and Other Therapeutic Applications
Companies covered:	Biocon Limited, Johnson & Johnson, Abbvie Inc., UCB S.A., Astra Zeneca PLC, Sanofi SA, Pfizer Inc., Novartis International AG, Amgen Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline PLC, among others
Growth Drivers:	Increase in burden of cancer around the world Rising number of diagnostic, therapeutic, & prophylactic applications of cytokines
Restraints & Challenges:	High costs of cytokines-based therapies Lack of specificity

Global Cytokine Market Trends:

Increase in use of cytokine-based immunotherapy is expected to drive the growth of the global cytokine market. For instance, Cytokine-based immunotherapy is a promising field in cancer treatment. Thus, with the increase in cancer prevalence, use of cytokine-based immunotherapy is also increasing. FDA has approved IFN-α and IL-2 for cancer treatment.

Frequent approvals and launches of novel products/therapies is expected to propel growth of the global cytokine market. For instance, in January 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new label update for CAR T-Cell Therapy Yescarta showing prophylactic steroid use improves management of cytokine release syndrome.

Global Cytokine Market Restraints:

High costs of cytokines-based therapies is expected to hamper growth of the global cytokine market. Although cytokines are potentially involved in a wide range of applications such as stem cell therapy, cancer therapy, and diagnostics, the high cost of cytokines-based therapies is expected to hinder growth of the cytokine market. According to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) report, nondrug costs for treating CRS (Cytokine Release Syndrome) were US$ 30 000 to 36 000 for the average patient and as high as US$ 56 000 for those with severe CRS.

Lack of specificity is expected to hinder growth of the global cytokine market. For instance, the lack of specificity can prove to be a challenge in some diagnostic cases and is a restraining factor for the growth of cytokine the market.

Figure 2. Global Cytokine Market Share (%), by Cytokine Type, 2021

Global Cytokine Market Segmentation:

The global cytokine market report is segmented into Cytokine Type, Therapeutic Application, and Geography.

Based on Cytokine Type, the cytokine market is segmented into Tumor Necrosis Factor-TNF, Interleukins-IL Interferons-IFN, Epidermal Growth Factor-EGF, & Other Cytokine Types. Out of which, Tumor Necrosis Factor-TNF Segment is expected to dominate the cytokine market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in prevalence of cardiac and oncology-related diseases. The role of TNF has been studied for several diseases, primarily in cardiac and oncology-related indications. Many biopharmaceutical companies are engaged in the R&D (research and development) of TNF inhibitory medications.

Interleukins-IL Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the notable shift in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, with the increased focus on targeted therapies. The presence of late-stage pipeline products, coupled with product launches, is likely to fuel the segment's growth.

Based on Therapeutic Application, the market is segmented into Cancer, Asthma and Airway Inflammation, Arthritis, and Other Therapeutic Applications. Out of which, Cancer Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase in prevalence of cancer worldwide. Cytokines affect the growth of all blood cells and other cells that help boost anti-cancer activity by sending signals that can help make abnormal cells die and normal cells live longer.

Asthma and Airway Inflammation Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increase in prevalence of respiratory diseases. Airway inflammation is common in many respiratory diseases, and the growing burden of respiratory diseases is likely to boost the growth of the segment.

Global Cytokine Market: Key Developments

In April 2020, GlaxoSmithKline announced the positive results from the pivotal SYNAPSE study of NUCALA (mepolizumab) in patients with nasal polyps.

In April 2020, Novartis planned to initiate a Phase III clinical trial to study Ilaris (canakinumab) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. A trial will examine efficacy of utilizing canakinumab, an interleukin (IL)-1β blocker, to treat a type of severe immune overreaction.

In January 2020, Amgen Inc. announced its collaboration with Guardant Health & Qiagen NV to accelerate the molecular testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Global Cytokine Market: Key Companies Insights

The global cytokine market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the increase in the use of cytokine-based immunotherapy, as a result, players in the market are focusing on launching novel products in the market.

Some of the key players in the global cytokine market are Biocon Limited, Johnson & Johnson, Abbvie Inc., UCB S.A., Astra Zeneca PLC, Sanofi SA, Pfizer Inc., Novartis International AG, Amgen Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline PLC, among others.

*Definition: Cytokine is a type of protein that is made by certain immune and non-immune cells and has an effect on the immune system. Some cytokines stimulate the immune system and others slow it down. Cytokine can also be used to help the body fight cancer, infections, and other diseases/disorders.