Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based biomaterials have wide-ranging applications in the healthcare industry. The materials derived from HA are being used to relieve the pain of knee osteoarthritis, in cataract surgeries, in abdominal and pelvic surgeries, and as a dermal filler to erase facial wrinkles. Moreover, an aging population, several product innovations, and underserved end-user segments are creating a huge market for HA-based biomaterials. Some existing end users include rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anti-adhesive wound care specialists, and gynecologists.

This Frost & Sullivan strategic analysis service provides an overview of and an outlook for the U.S. biomaterial applications of hyaluronic acid. The study is segmented into viscosupplementation products for osteoarthritis, viscoelastic products for ophthalmic applications, facial aesthetic implants, and post-surgical anti-adhesion barriers. It enables the development of growth strategies to enhance companies’ market shares and revenue.

HA-based Biomaterials Need a Dose of Innovation to Stay Ahead

Many market segments where HA-based biomaterials have become firmly entrenched are facing increasing reimbursement pressure from Medicare and other healthcare providers. An example is the lower reimbursements for physicians for cataract surgeries, who, in turn, want reduced prices for HA-based viscoelastics. Medicare is also cutting reimbursements of viscosupplementation procedures using HA-based material for knee osteoarthritis. These market segments have not seen significant recent innovation with HA-based biomaterials. The market also needs to fight price erosion by adding value to its products.

Some market participants are already planning to develop the next generation of viscosupplements as good carriers for drug delivery. Medical device manufacturers can also fund research to unravel the mechanism of viscosupplements. "Once this is done, it will boost physician confidence leading to increased use of this procedure," says the analyst. Product manufacturers and marketers are also likely to ensure that their products maintain the value-to-price ratio in order to gain wide customer appeal.

Demand Expected to be Buoyed by Aging Baby Boomers

The number of people above 65 years is expected to more than double from 35 million in 2000 to 71 million in 2020 in the United States. People in this age group will be entering a stage where the incidence of osteoarthritis, cataract, and facial wrinkles increases. HA-based biomaterials have a significant role to play in the treatment of all these afflictions. Thus, the demand for HA-based biomaterials is expected to be spurred by the aging demographics.

Since the knee osteoarthritis patient population is expected to increase by 26 percent from 15 million in 2000 to 19 million in 2010, viscosupplements can expect an escalation in demand. Apart from a huge market for osteoarthritis medication, the post-surgical anti-adhesion barrier market also carries a huge potential. Internal adhesions after abdominal surgeries can cause problems, such as bowel obstruction and pain. "Due to the critical nature of these complications, surgeons are demanding anti-adhesion barriers that perform consistently," notes the analyst. Adhesion lysis surgeries are performed more frequently on those above 65 years than on younger age groups.

Related Reports:
Regenerative Medicines: Bone and Joint Applications
Top 10 Medical Device Technology
Global Biomaterial Market (2009-2014)
European Markets for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009
European Markets for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009 (Executive Summary)
Austrian Market for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009
Beneluxian Market for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009
French Market for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009
German Market for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009
Italian Market for Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and Other Biomaterials 2009