Humongous Funding for In-depth Research Boosted the Gene Therapy Market

Gene therapy is nothing but altering a patient’s DNA by introducing genes in the body to treat hereditary and chronic diseases. Even though some treatments are still experimental, it is the most exciting field in biotechnology. In the last few years, there were several technological advancements in the field of gene therapy. The gene therapy involves numerous approaches including killing the diseased cell and replacing it with a new, healthy gene. Moreover, the recent growth in technology increased awareness among society, and enormous funding from big companies for research has boosted the gene therapy market.

There had been several experiments and trials to cure Parkinson’s disease. According to a study conducted by a biotechnology company– Voyager therapeutics, the use of gene therapy to cure Parkinson’s disease is now possible. Voyager’s gene therapy is designed to increase the production of dopamine in the putamen and reduce the death of nerve cells, which is the prime cause of Parkinson’s disease. The treatment aims for an improved motor function while reducing levodopa or other dopaminergic medication requirements. The trial involved more than a dozen patients had advanced Parkinson’s disease. Among these patients, several patients having a higher dose of the treatment achieved the best results, and they were able to reduce their levodopa equivalent doses within six months. After the successful experiment of this drug, the company expects the approval of FDA to treat its first patient in mid-2018.

Another gene therapy initiated in Colorado is believed to be a successful cure for the chronic pains. The researchers have tried the drug on dogs, however, it may work on humans too. Unlike modern medicines, gene therapy does not require multiple doses. The study was conducted on Shane, a dog with chronic pain. The only one dose of the gene therapy successfully cured Shane’s chronic pains, and even a year after the treatment, it hardly limps. The Colorado center is now waiting for FDA approval for human trials, and the researchers hope that a successful result will be a milestone in the medical field.

The scientists in the U.S. have stated that gene therapy could be used on humans in next two year to cure the inherited form of blindness. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine developed a BEST1 gene to cure severe eye lesions. A professor of ophthalmology at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine explained that inside the eyes, two integral layers are connected like a zipper, which supports the vision cells. The retinal diseases unzip these layers, and the gene therapy rezips the layers, curing the disease permanently. The researchers expect the human trials of gene therapy to start within a few years.

Apart from such animal experiments, in March 2018, a human trial was conducted using gene therapy. A teenager was cured of sickle-cell disease owing to an experimental gene therapy at Necker Children's Hospital in Paris. The presence of abnormal hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs) causes sickle cell disease, which results in clots in tiny vessels and various organs of the body. Worldwide, more than 200,000 infants are born with sickle cell diseases, and the successful experiment on human patients has relieved many patients and their parents. Furthermore, if the treatment shows successful results, the researchers want to use similar gene therapy to cure thalassemia, another inherited blood disorder.

The recent developments and trials in gene therapy showed the exponential growth of gene therapy market in the recent years. In a recent report on gene therapy market, Allied Market Research analyzed market trends, and outlined that the market was valued at $584 million in 2016, and is expected to reach $4,402 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 33.3% from 2017 to 2023. The report offers Porter’s five forces analysis, key segments, regions, drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the gene therapy market. Moreover, it studies key market players and the growth of the market in the regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The report is beneficial for market players, business experts, and entry-level organization to understand the market trends and strategies to boost revenue.

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