ORAL THIN FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS

The global oral thin films market was valued at US$ 2,450.6 Mn in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 4,379.9 Mn by 2028 at a CAGR of 8.7% between 2022 and 2028. The global oral thin films market is experiencing strong growth owing to the increasing burden of target diseases and growing geriatric population across the globe. Moreover, rise in demand for oral thin films worldwide due to increasing awareness among people is expected to boost the growth of the market. However, factors such as limitations associated with oral films and availability of substitute drugs are expected to hamper growth of the global oral thin films market.

Global Oral Thin Films Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the global oral thin films 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 owing to the widening applications of oral thin films and rising burden of the indicated diseases in this region. For instance, According to Parkinson's Foundation, nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease, which is more than the combined number of individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig's disease (or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.

Europe is also expected to witness robust growth in the global oral thin films market due to the increase in the number of geriatric patients suffering from indicated diseases and rise in oral thin film introductions in this region. For instance, incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age, the aging population around the world positively impacts the market growth. As per the European Parkinson's Disease Association, currently more than 1.2 million people living with Parkinson's in Europe and this number is forecast to double by 2030.

Figure 1. Global Oral Thin Films Market Share (%), by Region, 2021

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Global Oral Thin Films Market Drivers:

Growing burden of target diseases is expected to augment growth of the global oral thin films market over the forecast period during the forecast period. People suffering from the indicated diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, migraine, and others are given oral thin films to ease and relieve their pain. Thus, with the increase in prevalence of aforementioned diseases, the use of oral thin films is also increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's disease. This is expected to rise to 14 million by 2060.

Growing geriatric population across the globe is expected to boost the growth of the global oral thin films market over the forecast period. For instance, the use of oral thin films has increased or increasing due to ease in drug administration among older adults. The percentage of people with Alzheimer's increases with age. For instance, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 1 in 9 people (10.7%) age 65 and older has Alzheimer's disease. Around 5.0% of people age 65 to 74, 13.1% of people age 75 to 84, and 33.2% of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer's dementia.

Global Oral Thin Films Market Opportunities:

Higher penetration of oral thin films around the world is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global oral thin films market. The use of these oral thin films has increased due to advantages associated with the films. For instance, in January 2021, Cure Pharmaceuticals received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for CUREfilm Blue for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It increased the commercial opportunity for Cure Pharmaceutical in the United States.

High demand for effective drug delivery systems worldwide is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players in the oral thin films market. For instance, in June 2021, Shilpa Medicare Ltd., a research-led global integrated pharmaceutical company, announced the launch of Oral Thin Film formulation, a pediatric dose Paracetamol Oral Thin Film, under the Brand name Molshil. Shilpa Medicare Ltd. has received approval for Molshil Oral Thin Films after sufficiently complying bioequivalence requirements.

Global Oral Thin Films Market Trends:

Increase in demand for oral thin films due to advantages associated with these films is expected to propel the growth of the global oral thin films market. For instance, in October 2020, CURE Pharmaceutical’s wholly-owned subsidiary SeraLabs announced the launch of its Nutri-Strips thin-film product Sleep A.S.A.P. which offers the solution to America’s sleep problem. Nutri-Strips is a revolutionary oral thin-film strip technology.

Frequent approvals and launchers of novel films is expected to drive growth of the global oral thin films market. For instance, in May 2020, Zim Laboratories received the U.S. patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its oral thin film formulation. The patent is titled, “Pharmaceutical Microemulsion – Immobilized in a Thin Polymer Matrix and Methods of Making Them”.

Global Oral Thin Films Market Restraints:

Availability of substitute drugs is expected to hamper the growth of the global oral thin films market. For instance, in comparison to other drug delivery systems, oral thin films (OTFs) are relatively new. Despite their potential, oral thin films were initially limited by their smaller dosages, reduced stability and potency. Therefore, the adoption rate of oral thin films is limited, as there are many substitute drugs available in the market.

Limitations associated with oral thin films are expected to hinder growth of the global oral thin films market. Oral thin films found applications for several diseases such as opioid addiction, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and others. However, like any other drug delivery system, oral thin films have their own set of limitations. For instance, because of the size of oral thin films, the drug load they can carry is limited to a relatively small amount. Thin films cannot currently deliver doses in the gram range while retaining their rapid release properties and remaining palatable.

Figure 2. Global Oral Thin Films Market Share (%), by Product, 2021

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Global Oral Thin Films Market Segmentation:

The oral thin films market report is segmented into Product, Disease Indication, Distribution Channel, and Geography.

Based on Product, the oral thin films market is segmented into Sublingual Film and Fast Dissolving Dental/Buccal Film. Of which, Sublingual Film Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase in opioid addiction and dependence. Sublingual film is a prescription medicine used to treat opioid addiction in adults and is part of a complete treatment program. It's frequently used in maintenance treatment for patients who are recovering from opioid misuse disorder.

Based on Disease Indication, the market is segmented into Schizophrenia, Migraine, Opioid Dependence, Nausea & Vomiting, and Other Disease Indications. Of which, Schizophrenia Segment is expected to dominate the oral thin films market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase prevalence of schizophrenia. Oral thin film is used for the treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Migraine Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increase in percentage of the population with migraine. Migraine is one of the world’s most common health conditions and it’s a common neurological disease. Rizatriptan oral film is fast-dissolving thin (30-50µm) polymeric film formulation of Rizatriptan being developed by IntelGenx for the treatment of migraine.

Based on Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Other Distribution Channels. Out of which, All Segments are expected to dominate the oral thin films market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase in usage of or demand for oral thin films worldwide.

Global Oral Thin Films Market: Key Developments

In November 2021, CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corporation received the patent approval for its CUREfilm Blue Technology, an oral soluble film of sildenafil citrate approval from the United States patent office (USPTO).

In September 2021, Aquestive Therapeutics and IntelGenx Corp. entered a co-development and commercialization partnership for Tadalafil oral films to treat erectile dysfunction in the United States.

In September 2021, IntelGenx Corp. and Exeltis Healthcare SL teamed up to commercialize RIZAPORT in Spain.  The drug contains VersaFilm technology and relieves swelling and other migraine symptoms.

Global Oral Thin Films Market: Key Companies Insights

The global oral thin films market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rise in demand for oral thin films across the globe due to increase in awareness about the benefits of oral thin films, as a result, market players are focusing on launching novel films in the market.

Some of the key players in the global oral thin films market are:

C L Pharm, Cure Pharmaceutical, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., ZIM Laboratories Limited, NAL Pharma, Viatris, LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG, IntelGenx Corp., and Aquestive Therapeutics Inc., among others.

*Definition: A promising novel drug delivery system, oral thin films (OTFs), are intended to deliver active therapeutic moieties in the oral cavity under the tongue, in the intestines, on the roof of the mouth, or while held in the mouth. Oral thin film drug delivery has emerged as an advanced alternative to the traditional tablets, capsules, and/or liquids often associated with prescription and OTC medications.