Market Trends of Liver Fluke Treatment Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Liver Fluke Treatment Market according to our research experts:
Triclabendazole Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share in the Liver Fluke Treatment Market
Triclabendazole is a benzimidazole compound used routinely in veterinary practice to treat fascioliasis. Triclabendazole is highly effective compared to other drugs. The CDC and WHO consider it first-line therapy for liver fluke infections. Triclabendazole is an oral anthelmintic used in the treatment of chronic fascioliasis. It is generally well tolerated but can be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and mild liver test abnormalities, which are probably due to the expulsion of dead or dying flukes rather than hepatic injury due to therapy.
The increasing prevalence of fascioliasis is driving the market growth. According to WHO estimates in April 2021, at least 2.4 million people worldwide were infected with fascioliasis in more than 70 countries. Several million more were at risk, especially in countries where sheep and cattle were raised. In addition, infection is present in domestic animals in almost all countries where cattle and sheep are reared.
Triclabendazole is metabolized in the liver, largely by CYP 1A2 and 2C19, and it is theoretically susceptible to drug-drug interactions. Even with repeated dosing, there have been no reports of serious adverse events from triclabendazole therapy. Thus, the increasing use of the drug for treatment purposes is boosting the growth of the market.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant share of the global liver fluke treatment market due to the increasing prevalence of fasciola hepatica infections in cattle and sheep in this region. In September 2020, a study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene estimated that veterinary disease is prevalent in multiple areas of the United States. The Fasciola hepatica infection rate is very high in California, especially in sheep and cattle. The same source also stated that in its nearby areas, 90% of adult cattle were infected with Fasciola hepatica in 2020.
In addition, according to the study published by the University of Saskatchewan in Canada in March 2021, the Fasciola hepatica infection is found in cattle only specifically in dairy cattle around Quebec City. There is a high prevalence of this infection in the Quebec area. However, it is very limited in Alberta and other regions of Canada.
Several players in the market are focusing on developing and launching novel therapeutic drugs with minimal side effects to cater to the increasing demand for effective liver fluke treatment solutions in North America. For instance, in January 2021, Novartis received USFDA approval for its new liver fluke treatment drug, Egaten (triclabendazole), for patients six years of age and older in the United States. Thus, the rise in the number of drug approvals in the region is expected to drive growth in the North American market.
