March 28, 2018

The Growing Importance of Oral Proteins and Peptides

By Arun Gupta Biologics, Healthcare, Oral Delivery, Therapeutics, Uncategorized 0 Comments

Oral Proteins and peptide-based therapeutics have been in use for more than three decades since the approval of recombinant human insulin, the first protein therapy, in 1982. Earlier, most biologic drugs were delivered through the subcutaneous route. However, over time, advances in delivery formulations have enabled the development of orally administrable versions of therapeutic proteins / peptides. Owing to numerous compelling reasons, the concept of oral delivery has gained significant traction. The need for efficient and patient-friendly treatment options for chronic disorders, such as diabetes, is estimated to boost the demand for oral proteins and peptides in the coming years.

Robust Development Pipeline

With two approved drugs and close to 100 clinical / preclinical product candidates, the field of oral protein / peptide therapeutics has evolved significantly over time

Widening Influence Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas

Majority of product candidates are in early developmental phases, targeting a wide range of disease indications based on novel technologies

Novel Technology Platforms: A Vital Enabler

Ongoing advancements have led to the development of innovative technology platforms, which are designed to improve oral delivery and bioavailability of biologics

US, EU: The Innovation Hubs

Driven by the efforts of small to mid-sized companies, as well as established players, current research activity is heavily concentrated in the US and certain parts of Europe

Growing KOL Community

In fact, several prominent scientists, acting as key opinion leaders, have made significant contributions to clinical development efforts

Insights from Social Media

Increasing chatter on social media, and the fact that multiple scientific articles have been published in the last few years, are indicative of the growing interest in this domain

VC Funding: A Key Driver

Consequently, companies have raised close to USD 5.4 billion in financing, as investors have grown to realize the numerous benefits and future potential of oral therapies

A Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity

Prevalent trends indicate that the market is poised to grow at a significant pace in the mid to long term as late stage molecules get commercialized in the future