Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Size Analysis:

The Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market was valued at USD 8.65 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 18.09 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.52% from 2024 to 2032.

Our Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Report delivers exclusive insights into important statistical trends, presenting an in-depth breakdown of incidence and prevalence rates per region in 2023 and demographic distributions. It analyzes trends in prescriptions, with the highest prescribed osteoarthritis drugs and regional trends. The report also provides drug volume and sales figures, tracing market penetration and the adoption of new therapies. A detailed segmentation of healthcare expenditure—broken down by government, commercial, private, and out-of-pocket spending—provides a clear picture of cost pressures. This data-driven methodology provides a thorough understanding of market forces beyond typical growth drivers.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Dynamics

Drivers

• The growing global incidence of osteoarthritis, reflecting the aging population, is one of the major drivers for the growth in demand for osteoarthritis therapies.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoarthritis impacts more than 528 million individuals globally, and the estimate is anticipated to grow considerably with a rise in life expectancy. The percentage of individuals aged over 60 years is anticipated to double by 2050, thus making age-related joint diseases more common. Increased need for pain treatment and disease-altering treatments, especially in developing countries with mature demographics, has emerged. Of late, this has been joined by clinical trials of new drugs, including APPA from AKL Research & Development, granted Clinical Trial Authorization (CTA) in June 2024. New frontiers in the form of gene and cell therapies and regenerative medicine bring forth new and exciting therapeutic possibilities in slowing down the development of osteoarthritis.

• Breakthroughs in drug development and regenerative medicine are reshaping the osteoarthritis therapeutics market.

Advances in drug discovery and regenerative medicine are transforming the osteoarthritis drug market. Established therapies like NSAIDs and corticosteroids are now supplemented with novel biologics, gene therapy, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs). Wnt pathway inhibitors are being developed by BioSplice Therapeutics, and sustained-release formulations of corticosteroids like Zilretta are being developed by Flexion Therapeutics. The development of regenerative therapies, such as stem cell-based treatments and tissue engineering, is picking up pace, promising to halt the progression of disease instead of merely treating symptoms. In April 2024, Novartis reported encouraging preclinical data for LNA043, a cartilage-regenerating treatment. Additionally, the FDA and EMA are accelerating approvals for new therapeutics with a supportive regulatory climate. These advancements are transforming treatment paradigms, providing long-term benefits and enhanced joint function to patients.         

Restraint

• High Treatment Costs and Limited Accessibility are restraining the market growth.

The exorbitant price of osteoarthritis treatments, especially biologics, regenerative treatments, and viscosupplementation therapy, is a major hindrance to market growth. Most advanced treatments, including stem cell therapy and gene-based treatments, are costly, making them out of reach for patients, particularly in low- and middle-income nations (LMICs). For instance, hyaluronic acid injection may range from $300 to $1,000 per session, while biologic agents such as tanezumab are also expected to be expensive because of complicated manufacturing procedures. Limited insurance coverage and excessive out-of-pocket costs also limit patient access to new therapies. A 2023 report by the Arthritis Foundation demonstrated that more than 50% of patients with osteoarthritis have challenges affording treatment. This cost obstacle postpones treatment, which leads to the worsening of the disease and growing health burdens, making the widespread adoption of new osteoarthritis therapies difficult.

Opportunities

• The shift toward personalized medicine and targeted therapies presents a significant opportunity in the osteoarthritis therapeutics market.

The transition to personal medicine and target therapies is a major opportunity within the osteoarthritis therapeutics market. Breakthroughs in biomarker science and precision medicine are allowing for the creation of treatments that are optimized for individual patients based on their genetics, disease severity, and sensitivity to particular drugs. Novartis and BioSplice Therapeutics are investing in second-generation Wnt pathway inhibitors and cartilage regenerative biologics. Furthermore, AI-based drug discovery platforms are hastening the development of new therapies. The growing availability of genomic testing and companion diagnostics is likely to enhance treatment outcomes and minimize side effects. With regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EMA favoring fast-track approvals for breakthrough medicines, pharmaceutical companies have a profitable opportunity to create more effective, personalized osteoarthritis treatments, enhancing patient outcomes and increasing market potential.

Challenges

• Despite continuous progress, the absence of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) is still a significant issue in the market.

Present therapies mostly aim to reduce pain and symptoms but not the causes of cartilage breakdown. It is challenging to develop successful DMOADs through long clinical trial periods, huge safety testing, and expensive research. For example, tanezumab, a promising NGF inhibitor, was hampered by safety issues and regulatory obstacles. Second, cartilage restoration therapies, like stem cell and gene therapies, need to have a lot more validation and proof of long-term efficacy. They have stringent requirements from the FDA and EMA, leading to delayed commercialization. These large development timescales and high success rates make pharmaceutical companies hesitant to bring truly revolutionizing therapies into the market, restricting innovation and slowing down breakthroughs in treating osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Segmentation Analysis

By Drug Type 

The Viscosupplementation Agents segment dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market with a 37.06% market share in 2023, owing to its very high efficacy in pain reduction, increasing use as a minimally invasive treatment, and mounting approvals for sophisticated formulations. Viscosupplementation is the process of injecting hyaluronic acid (HA) into the joint to re-establish lubrication and cushioning, enhance mobility, and alleviate pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Compared to traditional NSAIDs and analgesics, viscosupplements provide longer-lasting relief with fewer systemic side effects, making them a preferred choice for mild to moderate osteoarthritis cases.

Additionally, regulatory approvals and new product launches fueled market growth in 2023. For example, Sanofi’s Synvisc-One and Johnson & Johnson’s Orthovisc continued to see widespread adoption due to their proven effectiveness and insurance coverage in key markets like North America and Europe. In addition, the growing population of elderly patients and rising knowledge of non-invasive treatment solutions helped fuel the increasing demand. The growth of viscosupplementation in emerging economies, fueled by government healthcare programs and reimbursement policies, further solidified its leadership in the osteoarthritis therapeutics market.

By Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Anatomy 

The Knee Osteoarthritis segment dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market with a 42.55% market share in 2023 because of its high global incidence, rising treatment uptake, and expanding demand for non-surgical treatments. Knee osteoarthritis accounts for the most prevalent type of the disease and affects more than 365 million individuals across the globe, as reported by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Accelerating geriatric population growth, rising obesity rates, and sedentary behavior have maximally driven the escalating prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, greater mechanical stress on the knee joint, as opposed to some of the other joints such as the hip or hand, subjects it to more susceptibility to cartilage degeneration and, thus, greater treatment requirements. Emerging treatments in viscosupplementation, corticosteroid injections, and regenerative medicine have broadened the scope of treatment options for knee osteoarthritis, further ingraining its market leadership. Pharmaceutical firms like Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, and Flexion Therapeutics have launched innovative viscosupplementation products like Synvisc-One and Zilretta, which are highly adopted in knee osteoarthritis treatment. Additionally, government healthcare policies and reimbursement support for knee osteoarthritis treatment, particularly in markets such as North America and Europe, have driven greater adoption rates. The growing demand for cost-saving and minimally invasive treatment methods, deferring or minimizing the requirement for total knee replacement procedures, further supported this segment's leadership in 2023.

By Route of Administration 

The Parenteral Route segment dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market in 2023 with the highest market share because of its greater efficacy, quicker onset of action, and growing use of injectable treatments like viscosupplementation, corticosteroids, and biologics. Most osteoarthritis therapies, especially for moderate to severe osteoarthritis, need direct injection into the target joint to deliver targeted relief and long-lasting therapeutic effects. Viscosupplementation drugs such as Synvisc-One (Sanofi) and Orthovisc (Johnson & Johnson) and corticosteroid injections such as Zilretta (Flexion Therapeutics) have become routine therapies for knee and hip osteoarthritis, substantially increasing the demand for parenteral administration.

Moreover, the increasing use of regenerative therapies, such as stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, has further consolidated this segment's leadership. Both patients and healthcare professionals prefer injectable formulations over oral drugs since they avoid the gastrointestinal tract, lowering the chance of side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular issues related to long-term use of NSAIDs. The presence of sophisticated drug delivery technologies, along with increased investments in biologics and monoclonal antibody treatments, has also strengthened the market dominance of the parenteral route during 2023.

By Sales Channel 

The Prescription Drugs segment dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market in 2023 because of the extensive adoption of sophisticated pharmacological treatments, regulatory demands for some drugs, and high physician preference for the treatment of moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Most potent osteoarthritis treatments, including viscosupplementation agents (Synvisc, Durolane), corticosteroids (Zilretta), biologics, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), need a physician's prescription because of their strength, special dosage needs, and possible side effects. These prescription-only treatments are used for long-term care and pain management so patients can receive medically monitored and tailored treatment protocols.

The increase in physician-prescribed regenerative treatments, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections, has supported the demand for prescription medications. Healthcare reimbursement schemes in major markets such as North America and Europe tend to favor prescription drugs, further enhancing their availability. The growing pipeline of new osteoarthritis medicines, including monoclonal antibodies and gene therapies, has also supported the prescription drugs segment's dominance since these need strict regulatory approvals and medical monitoring.

By End Use 

The Hospital Pharmacies segment dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market with a 48.06% market share in 2023 because of the large number of prescriptions for advanced osteoarthritis treatment, the existence of specialized medications, and the hospital-based preference for treatment regimens. A majority of osteoarthritis therapies, including viscosupplementation injections, corticosteroids, and biologics, need to be administered professionally by healthcare providers, so hospitals become a key point of entry for these drugs. Moreover, hospital pharmacies carry an extensive variety of prescription medications, including expensive and specialty drugs, to provide patients with complete care, including post-treatment observation and pain management. The increasing number of osteoarthritis-related hospital admissions and surgical procedures, including knee and hip replacements, also fortified the need for hospital pharmacy services in 2023.

The Retail Pharmacies segment will see the fastest growth in the forecast years with 10.78% CAGR as a result of growing demand for over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, the growing popularity of outpatient care, and the growth of pharmacy services. Patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis are increasingly turning to readily available oral NSAIDs, analgesics, and topical pain medications, which are readily available at retail pharmacies. In addition, the rise of e-pharmacies and mail-order drug facilities has increased osteoarthritis drugs' accessibility for patients, particularly in areas with poor hospital access. In addition, government programs encouraging affordable osteoarthritis treatment methods and the increased insurance coverage of retail pharmacy sales are anticipated to continue driving this segment's growth in the forecast period.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Regional Insights

North America dominated the osteoarthritis therapeutics market with a 38.12% market share in 2023, on account of its developed healthcare system, high prevalence of the disease, and robust pharmaceutical R&D system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that more than 32.5 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis, creating tremendous demand for treatment. The area is also supported by strong reimbursement and insurance coverage policies, allowing expensive therapies, including biologics and viscosupplementation injections, to be more readily available. Further, the availability of strong pharma competitors such as Pfizer, AbbVie, and Johnson & Johnson promotes ongoing innovation in the development of new drugs and regenerative therapies. The FDA's fast-track drug approval mechanisms also consolidate market growth through accelerated release of novel osteoarthritis treatments, further strengthening North America's leadership market position.

The Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the osteoarthritis therapeutics market with the 9.64% CAGR throughout the forecast period, fueled by a rapidly aging population, rising healthcare expenditures, and enhanced access to new treatments. Such countries as China, Japan, and India are seeing an upsurge in osteoarthritis due to shifts in lifestyle, increased obesity, and an aging population. The United Nations indicates that Asia alone has more than 630 million people aged 60 and older, thus making the demand for osteoarthritis care quite high. Furthermore, government investment in healthcare infrastructure development and medical tourism growth in nations such as Thailand and South Korea is fast-tracking market development. The increasing production of generic drugs and biosimilars, along with the growing associations between international pharma firms and domestic manufacturers, is also stimulating the region's high-speed market growth.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Key Players

• Flexion Therapeutics (Zilretta, FX201)

• Antibe Therapeutics (Otenaproxesul, Second Drug)

• OrthoTrophix (TPX-100, TPX-100-5)

• AKL Research & Development (APPA, AKL4)

• BioSplice Therapeutics (Lorecivivint, SM04755)

• Calibr (KA34, KA35)

• Unity Biotechnology (UBX0101, UBX1325)

• Ember Therapeutics (BMP7, EMB-001)

• Formation Bio (Sprifermin, FB-001)

• Novartis (LNA043, M6495)

• Galapagos (GLPG1972, GLPG0555)

• Medivir (MIV-711, MIV-323)

• Kolon Life Science (Invossa-K, KLS-2031)

• Organogenesis (ReNu, NuShield)

• Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium, PAR-122)

• GSK (Semaglutide, Wegovy)

• Pfizer (Tanezumab, Celebrex)

• Johnson & Johnson (Orthovisc, Synvisc-One)

• Sanofi (Synvisc, Hyalgan)

• AbbVie (Durolane, Hymovis)

Suppliers (All these suppliers provide osteoarthritis therapeutics, including injectable treatments (hyaluronic acid, biologics), pain management drugs (NSAIDs, monoclonal antibodies), and disease-modifying therapies. They focus on cartilage regeneration, inflammation reduction, and joint function improvement in the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market.

• Flexion Therapeutics

• BioSplice Therapeutics

• Novartis

• Galapagos

• Medivir

• Kolon Life Science

• Organogenesis

• Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals

• Pfizer

• Sanofi

Recent Development in the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market

• June 2024: AKL Research and Development Ltd., based in the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, together with the University of Liverpool, has been issued with Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) for its lead product, APPA, to enter a Phase I clinical trial as a new therapeutic for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, approval has been gained to be supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

• April 2023: DocWire News interviewed Dr. Mike Clayman, CEO of Flexion Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company committed to creating novel, localized treatments for musculoskeletal diseases. Throughout the interview, Dr. Clayman spoke about Flexion's approved product, ZILRETTA, which is used to treat osteoarthritis-related knee pain.