Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a signal protein that helps in the formation of new blood vessels through a process known as angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a part of several pathological processes and researches are often carried out for the development of novel therapies using these factors for diseases such as cancer. Normal functions of vascular endothelial growth factor includes embryonic development, formation of new blood vessels, and as a bypass for a blocked vessel. However, overexpression of VEGF often culminates into fatal disease such as cancerous cells. As solid tumors require additional blood supply in order to keep functioning, the overexpression of VEGF serves that purpose through angiogenesis. VEGF family has five members such as VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and Placenta Growth Factor (PGF). Out of these growth factors, VEGF-A is responsible for angiogenesis and processes associated with endothelial cells. VEGF-A binds to VEGF receptors on the endothelial cells, which triggers a tyrosine kinase pathway leading to angiogenesis. VEGF-A has been found to be associated with poor prognosis in various cancers, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Therapeutic agents are developed to inhibit the transduction pathways of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Drugs such as monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and tyrosine kinase inhibitors inhibit the angiogenesis process and disease progression.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibodies Market Drivers

Rising prevalence of diseases such as cancer and macular degeneration is expected to boost growth of the market over the forecast period. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2017, cancer was the second most common cause of death in the U.S., which accounts for nearly 1 out of every 4 deaths. Novel therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and angiogenesis inhibitors are highly specialized targeted therapies, which directly targets the cancerous cells. The preference for targeted therapies is rising, owing to the advantages (lesser side effects) offered by targeted therapies over conventional therapies such as chemotherapy. Furthermore, robust pipeline of VEGF antibodies is expected to boost the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, Brolucizumab (Alcon) is in phase 3 clinical trials, Abicipar (Allergan Plc) is in phase 3 trials, and RG7716 (Genentech) is in phase 2 trials, all indicated for age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, Tecentriq manufactured by Roche received the U.S. FDA priority review status to treat people with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in May 2018. Therapies already present in the market have shown improved clinical outcome in cancer as well as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For instance, Lucentis, as well as Avastin have shown significant improvement in medical outcomes in associated indications such as cancer. These therapies have spurred the interest of manufacturers to further carry out research in this category, which is shown in terms of number of agents present in the pipeline. Blockbuster drugs such as Avastin and Lucentis allow manufacturers to invest in research and development of such therapies, in order to generate the revenues later on while providing the benefits to patients as well. These factors are expected to foster growth of the market over the forecast period.

However, high costs of these medications, biosimilar research, and subsequent launches are expected to hamper the growth of the market. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has already approved Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb), a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab) in December 2017. Moreover, European Commission approved biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab) in January 2018.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibodies Market Insights

On the basis of region, North America and Europe are expected to show significant growth in the vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies market over the forecast period. North America has the presence of leading manufacturers who are indulged in research and development of these therapies. Manufacturers such as Novartis (Europe) and Genentech have these therapies in pipeline and are expected to enter into the market over the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to show modest growth, owing to high costs of these therapies and fairly low availability overall the region. Sophisticated insurance facilities such as Medicaid and Medicare are not present in the developing economies due to which patients cannot afford costly medical treatment in these regions. However, insurance facilities are expected to drive growth of the market in North America.

Key players operating in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies market include Genentech, Inc., Novartis, Exelixis, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Bayer Pharma AG, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Ceres Oncology Pty Ltd, and ThromboGenics, Inc.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibodies Market Taxonomy

The global vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies market is segmented on the basis of drug, route of administration, application, distribution channel, and geography.

By Drug -