Varicella Zoster (HHV-3) Infections Treatment Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and Outlook (2024-2031)

Global Varicella Zoster Infections Treatment Market is segmented By Infection Type (Chickenpox, Shingles, Others), By Drug Class (Antivirals, NSAIDs, Antihistamines, Anticonvulsants, Others), By Route of Administration (Oral, Topical, Parenteral), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy), By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Varicella Zoster Infections Treatment Market Size

Global Varicella Zoster Infections Treatment Market reached US$ 1,799.42 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 2,523.90 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period 2024-2031. 

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), is a human Herpesviridae family pathogen with a double-stranded linear DNA genome. The primary infection usually causes varicella (chickenpox) in children, after which the virus establishes latency in sensory neurons, and subsequent reactivation causes herpes zoster (shingles) in adults.

The most common treatment for VZV infection is antiviral therapy, which includes drugs such as acyclovir, penciclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. Moreover, antipyretics and pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin and pregabalin are some of the treatment available in the market which is used for the treatment of varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections.

Market Scope

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Market Dynamics: Drivers

Increasing burden of Herpes Zoster

The rising risk of herpes zoster incidence is expected to drive the market growth in the forecast period. When a person is infected with HHV-3, they exhibit primary infection which is called chicken pox or varicella. However, despite the treatment, the virus can stay inside the body dormant. When the patient is immunocompromised, the dormant virus becomes opportunistic and may cause an outbreak. This outbreak also known as herpes zoster can be severe and can cause long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia, and herpes zoster ophthalmicus. The incidence of herpes zoster increases with age. An epidemiological study published on March 17, 2024, in Nature Journal, stated that the lifetime risk of herpes zoster is estimated to be 30% in the general global population, increasing at 50 years old. In the Asia–Pacific region, the estimated overall incidence rate of HZ is 3–10 per 1000 person-years, similar to worldwide incidence rates.

In Asia, the number of people aged over 60 years is projected to reach one billion by 2035 Consequently, the frequency and burden of herpes zoster is predicted to increase as waning T cell immunity, due to increasing age or immunosuppression. 

Moroever, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly 1 million episodes of zoster occur annually in the United States. The lifetime risk of zoster is estimated to be at least 32%. Increasing age and cellular immunosuppression are the most important risk factors; 50% of persons living until age 85 years will develop zoster.

Restraints

The high cost of treatment can be a restraining factor for the market growth in the forecast period. The patient with varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment may need long-term treatment, which can be expensive for some patient populations. This can be troublesome for patients living in low and middle-income countries. 

Market Segment Analysis

The global varicella zoster (HHV-3) infection treatment market is segmented based on infection type, drug class, route of administration, distribution channel, and region.

The antivirals in the drug type segment accounted for approximately 54.2% of the global varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment market share

Excluding preventative vaccines, antiviral drugs are the only approved drugs available in the current market to treat VZV infections. Antivirals against VZV reduce the incidence of new lesion formation, accelerate healing, and shorten the duration of viral shedding. Ultimately, it reduces pain's incidence, severity, and duration and limits neuronal damage. Although several antiviral drugs are developed for Herpesviridae-related infections, only a few drugs are clinically approved for varicella zoster and herpes zoster infection. The major drugs used are acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir due to their effectiveness and safety profile. 

For instance, an epidemiological study conducted in Latin American Countries from January 2000 to February 2020, published in the PLOS journal stated that Acyclovir was the most frequently used therapy for treating herpes zoster patients. The drug is majorly administered orally (71.7% cases) or intravenously (11% cases).

Moreover, in January 2023, a study published in the Korean Journal of Pain stated that Acyclovir remains the first-line treatment for Herpes Zoster. In addition to acyclovir, other antivirals such as valacyclovir, famciclovir, and gancyclovir are also recommended for herpes zoster of the head and/or neck area, moderate to severe pain, any locations with multi-segment involvement, aberrant vesicles, and satellite lesions. 

It is a recommended practice by several global health agencies such as WHO, and CDC to use antivirals for herpes zoster in elderly patients who are above 50 and immunocompromized. Depending on the severity of the infection, the route and dose of antivirals can be tailored. Other medications such as NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, and antihistamines are only prescribed for symptomatic relief. The antivirals remain the only option for killing the virus.

Market Geographical Share

North America is expected to dominate the market with a share of 42.3%  in the global varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment market.

The rising incidence of herpes zoster despite the availability of preventative vaccines is the major contributing factor to the region's dominance. For instance, a global epidemiological study published in Sage Journals in March 2022, has stated that the incidence of herpes zoster has continued to increase in people over the ages of 35 in the U.S from 1993 to 2006, the estimated incidence of herpes zoster was 2.5 per 1000 persons in 1993, 6.1 per 1000 persons in 2006, and up to 7.2 per 1000 persons in 2016. According to DataM estimates, the annual incident cases of herpes zoster were 1.2 million in 2015, which has risen to 1.4 million in 2023. 

Fig: estimated number of herpes zoster incidence cases in the U.S. (2015-2023)

Moreover, the region has well-established healthcare facilities that can provide tailored treatment options to patients. The manufacturers of anti-virals which are the mainstay treatment for this infection, are situated majorly in the region, supplying these drugs through an extensive distribution network. 

Market Major Players

The major players in the varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment market include Bausch Health Companies Inc., LNHC, Inc., GSK plc., Haleon group of companies, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Averitas Pharma, Inc., Viatris Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Almatica Pharma LLC. among others.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global varicella zoster (HHV-3) infection treatment market segmentation based on infection type, drug class, route of administration, distribution channel, and region as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment market-level with all segments.
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• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global varicella zoster (HHV-3) infections treatment market report would provide approximately 70 tables,64 figures, and 187 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
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• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies