Market Trends of Global Narcolepsy Therapeutics Industry
The Central Nervous System Stimulants Segment is Expected to Hold a Considerable Share During the Forecast Period
Central nervous system stimulants are drugs that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and increase alertness, attention, energy, and physical activity. They also increase blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. Central nervous system stimulants used for attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy, or excessive sleepiness include amphetamines, methylphenidate, atomoxetine, modafinil, armodafinil, pitolisant, and solriamfetol.
The increasing use of central nervous system stimulants for treating narcolepsy, owing to their several advantages, is expected to drive the segment growth during the forecast period. For instance, according to an article published in Advances in Pharmacology in November 2023, modafinil, a central nervous system stimulant, is primarily approved for treating narcolepsy and various sleep disorders. However, due to its diverse biochemical effects, researchers have explored modafinil for additional therapeutic applications, which is expected to increase the demand for usage in sleep disorders.
Also, company activities such as product approvals and launches likely increase the availability of central nervous system stimulants for narcolepsy, boosting the segment's growth during the forecast period. For instance, in June 2024, Harmony Biosciences secured FDA approval for its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) concerning WAKIX (pitolisant) tablets, targeting excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in pediatric narcolepsy patients aged six and above. Therefore, the segment is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period due to the above-mentioned factors, such as the growing demand for central nervous system stimulants and strategic company activities.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market During the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant share of the market during the forecast period. The growing demand for sleep disorder treatment in North America drives the market. For instance, according to the article published by Sleep Medicine: X in November 2023, in a given population, 12.6 individuals per 100,000 experienced narcolepsy with cataplexy in Canada, while 25.1 per 100,000 had narcolepsy without cataplexy in Canada in 2022. Thus, the significant burden of narcolepsy is expected to increase the need for narcolepsy treatments, boosting the market growth in the region.
Also, company activities such as acquisitions, product approvals, and regional launches are expected to grow the market significantly during the forecast period. For instance, in March 2022, Axsome Therapeutics Inc. entered a definitive agreement to acquire Sunosi (solriamfetol) from Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Sunosi is indicated to improve wakefulness in adult patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) due to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Additionally, in March 2024, Paladin Labs Inc., a subsidiary of Endo International PLC, received approval from Health Canada for its WAKIX (pitolisant hydrochloride tablets) for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in pediatric patients aged six years and older and weighing at least 30 kg with narcolepsy. Therefore, the significant burden of narcolepsy in the region and the company activities will likely boost the market growth in North America during the forecast period.
