The Sjögren's syndrome treatment market will experience impressive growth over the next decade, doubling from $1.1 billion in 2014 to $2.2 billion by 2024, driven primarily by the launch of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Orencia from 2021, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The company's latest report states that this increase, which is forecast across the seven Major Markets (7MM) of the US, Japan, the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany, represents a considerable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2%.

Dr Haylyn Wong, GlobalData's Senior Analyst covering Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, says that Orencia (abatacept), the first biologic agent for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome, is anticipated to launch across the 7MM by 2022.

Dr Wong explains: "Orencia is currently in Phase III of development, and has so far demonstrated positive results in treating Sjögren's syndrome. A small open-label pilot study has shown that the drug significantly reduces disease activity, with most improvement seen in pain and fatigue scores.

"GlobalData believes that Orencia will capture patient share from existing Sjögren's syndrome patients receiving systemic immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, and to a smaller degree from patients receiving antimalarial agents who are not adequately managed."

While Orencia demonstrates great potential, the overall Sjögren's syndrome treatment pipeline is sparse and there are only a few products in early-stage development.

Dr Wong explains: "Novartis has two agents in Phase II development, while MedImmune is developing a biologic in conjunction with Amgen called AMG-557/MEDI5872, which is in Phase IIa clinical trials, in addition to a second product called MEDI-4920 that is in Phase I development.

"Despite the scarcity of innovative pipeline products, Sjögren's syndrome treatment market growth will also be driven by an increase in the prescribing of off-label biologic therapies, such as Genentech/Biogen's Rituxan (rituximab), while in the EU, ciclosporin ophthalmic solution is also expected to be adopted as an off-label agent for those patients with ocular dryness."