World Vaccine Market Holds Great Promise for Growth

While the world waits for "the cure,” new vaccines currently in the development pipeline are emerging as promising alternatives to prevent or suppress diseases. Globally, the vaccine market is expected to reach more than US$10 billion in 2007.

Expectations are high as numerous vaccines for HIV, several forms of cancer, and other diseases including Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, and herpes are already in various stages of testing. As many as five new vaccines to treat cancer may soon be available, which is expected to create an $8 billion dollar cancer vaccine market by 2012, representing over half of the $15 billion total vaccine market that will exist that year, according to according to a new report from the medical market research firm Kalorama Information (Rockville, MD, USA).

With a 56% market share, pediatric vaccines have long dominated the market. However, adult vaccines will increase at a faster rate, strengthened by strong influenza and hepatitis vaccine sales. Yet there is an imbalance in vaccine usage in developing countries, where preventable diseases frequently go unchecked due to cost and supply issues. Shortages and delays as well as safety issues, including needle-stick injuries and reuse of needles, also impact the global market.

"There are certainly major issues hindering the wider usage of current vaccines on a global level,” noted Steven Heffner, the publisher of Kalorama Information. "However, most are being seriously addressed by the world health community, and investments in advanced therapeutics technologies as well as novel approaches to vaccine delivery abound.”

Even in the United States, there are challenges. Texas's recent requirement that 11- and 12-year-old girls be vaccinated with Merck's Gardasil, which protects against the human papillomavirus that causes most cervical cancer, is being criticized by social conservatives seeking to repeal the order.

Kalorama Information provides independent market research for medical markets.


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