Photopheresis is a form of apheresis and photodynamic therapy in which blood is treated with photosensitizing agents and irradiated with specific wavelengths of light. It is also known as extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). ECP is leukapheresis based therapeutic procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of advance cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Additionally, ECP is used in treating disorders like graft versus host disease (GVHD), atopic dermatitis, scleroderma, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes. Many photopheresis products like open and closed systems are available in the market, of which, only closed system is approved by the U.S. FDA, because of its lower risk of contamination and infection during reinfusion. Furthermore, closed systems are technologically advanced systems in comparison to open systems.

Photopheresis Products Market Drivers

Rise in prevalence of autoimmune diseases and increase in number of organ transplant cases is expected to lead to growth of the photopheresis products market. Increasing reimbursement policies by governments also expect to boost the photopheresis product market. For instance, in August 2016, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that Switzerland’s Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) approved the reimbursement of ECP treatment for patients in Switzerland.

Furthermore, business strategies such as collaborations by key players in the photopheresis field, helps to improve the understanding of photopheresis’ effect on immune modulations across several severe and critical conditions. For instance, on February 2019, Mallinckrodt plc. announced the research collaboration agreement with Transimmune AG, a company developing novel immunotherapies, for the development of the activation of antigen presenting cells. Both companies intend to explore the next generation Mallinckodt photopheresis system.

However, lack of photopheresis treatment centers, high cost and product recalls involved in the therapy may restrain the growth of photopheresis products market. For instance, according to report published by American Society of Hematology in 2017, the number of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) patients increased from 16 in 2009 to 100 in 2016 and ECP use increased from 31.3% in 2009 to 54% in 2016 in the U.S. The total annual cost per patient was US$ 190,148 including US$ 4619 for emergency room visits, and US$ 176,856 for hospitalization during follow up period.

Moreover, on April 5, 2016, photopheresis product, THERAKOS CELLEX, was recalled by the manufacturer Mallinckrodt (Therakos) because the post-marketing monitoring process detected an increasing trend in tubing leaks within the pump tubing organizer.

Photopheresis Products Market - Regional Insights

On the basis of region, the global photopheresis products market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. North America holds a dominant position in the global photopheresis products market as its government provides the reimbursements for various treatments like GVHD, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and lung transplantation treated by ECP therapy are the factors accountable for growth of the market. According to Leukemia and Lymphoma society, in 2017, 30-70% people suffer from cGVHD. Moreover, frequent approvals by regulatory bodies by European commission for photophoresis products are expected to drive the market. For instance, in August 2016, Swiss regulators approved the reimbursement of Mallinckrodt plc.’s ECP treatment for patients suffering from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), following a lung transplant.

Photopheresis Products Market - Competitive Landscape

Some of the key players operating in the global photopheresis products market include Macopharma, Fresenuis Kabi AG, Haemonetics Corporation, Terumo Corporation, Dover Medical, Med Tech Solutions GmbH, and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

Photopheresis Products Market - Market Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global photopheresis products market is segmented into: