Predicted to affect 1% of the world’s population by 2050, global Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) cases will experience a significant 80.2% surge from 2020.
To help investigate this issue, a recent report titled Rheumatoid Arthritis – Global Clinical Trial Landscape by leading contract research organisation (CRO) Novotech has taken an in-depth look at the global RA clinical trials landscape. East and South Asia have the largest number of diagnoses patients, at 4.8 million and 3.2 million cases respectively, while China has the highest cases in the APAC region. Western Europe follows with 2 million cases (but a lower mortality rate) while Central Latin America exhibited a higher mortality rate despite lower prevalence. The United States, meanwhile, has a high prevalence rate within the North American region.
In terms of discrepancies between demographics, RA impacts women at least twice as much as men. Treatment for RA combines medications and self-management, focusing on Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to manage symptoms and prevent joint damage. Emphasizing early DMARD therapy, particularly with methotrexate, the guidelines aim for sustained remission or low disease activity. Targeted therapies, like TNF inhibitors and JAK inhibitors, are suggested for moderate/high disease activity or DMARD intolerance.
Rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials
In the last six years, Rheumatoid Arthritis clinical trials have significantly increased, with more than 1,100 trials initiated by the biotech and biopharma industry. Leading in trial numbers are mainland China, dominating with 58% of trials. South Korea, the United States, and European nations such as Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also making considerable contributions. APAC, however, witnessed faster recruitment durations and accelerated patient recruitment rates and consistently demonstrated positive CAGR trends.
The RA treatment market, featuring products from companies like AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas Pharma, and Bio-Thera Solutions, includes drugs such as Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade. Therapeutic approaches using antibodies, fusion proteins, and small molecules target factors like TNF alpha, JAK, and IL-6. Ongoing research in biosimilars, small molecules, and fusion proteins is evident with Phase III pipeline products in clinical trials, indicating a dynamic landscape addressing various pathways and mechanisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment.
The future of rheumatoid arthritis
According to the report, the complex combination of demographic factors, regional variations, and emerging therapies is highlighting the evolving nature of RA’s clinical landscape. Ongoing efforts in trials and innovations in RA treatment, particularly in China, South Korea, and the US, demonstrate a commitment to addressing this condition comprehensively. Helping the industry to navigate the future of this condition is a growing understanding of RA, which promises to improve patient outcomes and deliver a more effective defence against this autoimmune inflammatory disorder.
Download the free, in-depth report to find out more.
