The global ankylosing spondylitis market size was valued at USD 5.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach around USD 10.6 billion in 2030 exhibiting a CAGR of 9.0% in the forecasted period. The development of new products, as well as the entrance of biosimilar are expected to upsurge the market growth. Moreover, the rising prevalence of the disease is also predicted to boost the market. As per the study published in Oxford University Press, the number of incidences in Europe was 1.30 to 1.56 million and 4.63 to 4.98 million in the Asia Pacific. However, high cost of ankylosing spondylitis treatment and severe effects of drugs used for cure of ankylosing spondylitis is hampering the growth of the market in the forecasted period.

The marketing of new products and growing collaborations between corporations are projected to hasten market growth. For instance, in August 2019, Eli Lilly and Company got U.S. FDA approval for its product, Taltz injection 80 mg/mL, for the cure of active ankylosing spondylitis. Preceding to this approval, the product was accepted for active psoriatic arthritis and modest to severe plaque psoriasis in March 2016 and December 2017 respectively. Additionally, in September 2018, Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Galapagos NV co-developed a product, Filgotinib, which has finished a phase 2 clinical trial for the sign of moderately to adversely active ankylosing spondylitis. The patent cliff has directed the entry of biosimilars into the market. These may expand patient access and fuel the market growth. In November 2019, the U.S. FDA permitted Humira’s biosimilar, Abrilada, for the management of certain indications including ankylosing spondylitis. 

Accessing medical services can be puzzling for people with ankylosing spondylitis throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Though some drugs for ankylosing spondylitis can be self-administered, some are given via an IV in hospitals. Likewise, physical therapy needs a visit to the physical therapist, which has been problematic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Biologics such as TNF (Tumor Necrosis factor) inhibitors, used in ankylosing spondylitis treatment, may upsurge the jeopardy of infections and worse the body's capacity to fight contaminations, including COVID-19, as these medications cause an overpowering effect on the immune system. Biologics containing IL-17 and IL-12/23 inhibitors are used for treating ankylosing spondylitis, but have the same immunosuppressive effect that may increase the risk of infections. Thus, the development of the global ankylosing spondylitis market is expected to be hindered.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). As per the study conducted in Ontario, Canada, in 2020, it was seen that people with IMIDs were tested for COVID-19 at a 20% higher rate, as compared to the overall population.

Drug Type Insights
Humira controlled the ankylosing spondylitis market in 2021 and accounted for above 25% of the overall share due to its low cost and high efficiency. Though, the product is anticipated to have decreasing sales over the forecasted period owing to patent expiry in Europe alongside direct biosimilar competition in certain markets.

On the other hand, Cosentyx is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecasted period. In October 2019, Novartis received the European Commission approval for Cosentyx for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. The company more plans to submit the label update request to the U.S. FDA and once it is accepted, the product is estimated to have substantial growth over the forecasted period.
However, the patent expiry of bestseller products detains the market growth. In October 2018, the patent of AbbVie’s proprietary product Humira finished in the EU. Moreover, the EU patent of Enbrel (Amgen Inc./Pfizer Inc.) and Remicade (Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc./Merck & Co., Inc.) terminated in 2015. 

Distribution Channel Insights
Depending on distribution channel, the retail pharmacy segment was the foremost contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period, due to an upsurge in number of retail pharmacies and easy to touch patients. Conversely, the hospital pharmacy segment is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to rise in number of hospitals.

Region Insights
North America is estimated to account for the largest market share in the global ankylosing spondylitis market in 2021, due to the higher incidence and prevalence rate of ankylosing spondylitis, accessibility of enhanced diagnostic tools, acceptance of novel treatment options for ankylosing spondylitis, and better health care infrastructure. Furthermore, due to the existence of major key players in North America such as AbbVie Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., and others it is projected to account for the largest market share over the forecasted period.

In addition, initiatives undertaken by main players support market growth in North America. In January 2019, Novartis AG and TrialSpark cooperated with an objective to increase patient access to clinical trials. This partnership will reduce the enrolment timeline and aid in the faster development of new therapies. Recently, the trials were launched in many sites in New York to test a treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. 
However, the Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region due to growing disease incidence in emerging nations like India, China, and Indonesia. Moreover, favourable reimbursement policies in China are supporting regional market growth.

Key Companies Insights
The market for ankylosing spondylitis is moderately competitive. With the rising applications of Ankylosing spondylitis, new players are considering to enter the market. The companies are also involved in activities like joint ventures, acquisitions, partnerships, mergers, and collaborations. These activities aid in growing the effect of the players in the ankylosing spondylitis market, ultimately boosting the market growth.

Some of the key companies working in the global ankylosing spondylitis market include:
• Amgen Inc.
• AbbVie Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Novartis AG
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• CELGENE CORPORATION
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Cipla Inc.
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals
• Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• UCB S.A.
• Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
• HENGRUI USA
• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
• Other players

Some of the Recent Developments:
• In August 2021, Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals and Affibody AB were working in a partnership, declared the successful medicating of the first patient in the global ASPIRE phase 2 trial evaluating izokibep (IMG-020 or ABY-035) for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 

• In August 2019, Eli Lilly and Company received the approval of Taltz (ixekizumab) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is approved for active ankylosing spondylitis, as an injection of 80 mg/mL, firmly for adult patients with this disorder. It can be managed either as monotherapy or as a mixture treatment with other conservative therapies such as DMARDs or NSAIDs.

Segments 
By Drug Type
• Cosentyx
• Humira
• Simponi
• Remicade
• Enbrel
• Cimzia
• Others

By Route of Administration
• Oral
• Parenteral

By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Geography
• North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o U.K.
o Germany
o France
o Italy
o Spain
o Russia
• Asia-Pacific
o Japan
o China
o India
o Australia
o South Korea
o ASEAN
• Latin America
o Brazil
o Argentina
o Colombia
• MEA
o South Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Egypt