Blood Brain Barrier Technologies Market Size, Trends and Growth Analysis by 2027

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) technologies market is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately US$ 5,101.94 million by 2028, up from US$ 1,041.05 million in 2021. This growth represents a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.5% from 2021 to 2028.

Several factors are contributing to this market expansion, including the rising incidence of neurological disorders, an increasing elderly population, and a higher prevalence of age-related neurological conditions. However, challenges associated with delivering medications to the brain are posing obstacles to market growth.

The brain is safeguarded by cerebrospinal fluid and a protective membrane known as the meninges. The blood-brain barrier serves as an additional protective layer, situated between the brain's blood vessels and the various cells and components that constitute brain tissue. This barrier plays a crucial role in shielding the brain from harmful pathogens and toxins that may enter through the bloodstream. While it effectively prevents foreign substances from infiltrating brain tissue, it also obstructs the delivery of essential medications designed to treat neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammatory conditions. Consequently, the technologies developed for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier differ significantly from those used for other parts of the body.

Neurological disorders, including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, dementia, autism, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and cerebral palsy, impact the brain and nervous system. The prevalence of these disorders is on the rise in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer's disease ranks among the top ten causes of death in the country, affecting approximately 5.8 million individuals in 2020. Furthermore, the Parkinson's Foundation estimates that there were around 930,000 cases of Parkinson's disease in the U.S. in the same year. The Alzheimer's Association projects that over 6 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's, with numbers expected to reach nearly 13 million by 2050. Notably, deaths attributed to Alzheimer's and dementia have surged by 16% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a staggering 145% increase in Alzheimer's-related deaths from 2000 to 2019.

Epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder affecting individuals of all ages, is another significant concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 50 million people globally suffer from epilepsy, making it one of the most prevalent neurological conditions. Alarmingly, around 80% of those affected reside in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO also estimates that with appropriate diagnosis and treatment, up to 70% of individuals with epilepsy could achieve seizure freedom. Dementia, currently the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, is a major contributor to disability and dependency among the elderly. The WHO indicates that over 55 million people live with dementia globally, with approximately 10 million new cases emerging each year. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 60-70% of all dementia cases. The increasing prevalence of these neurological disorders underscores the urgent need for advanced blood-brain barrier technologies, thereby propelling market growth.

Technology Insights

The global blood-brain barrier technologies market is categorized based on technology into several segments: bispecific antibody receptor-mediated transport (RMT) approach, the trojan horse approach, increasing permeability, passive diffusion, and other non-invasive BBB technologies. In 2020, the increasing permeability segment dominated the market share. However, the reagents segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. Enhanced blood-brain barrier permeability is associated with the remodeling of interendothelial junctions and the formation of gaps between brain endothelial cells (paracellular pathway), as well as intensive pinocytotic vesicular transport between the apical and basal sides of these cells (transcellular pathway). The growth of the increasing permeability segment can be attributed to the heightened focus on research aimed at treating various neurological and central nervous system disorders.

Application Insights

In terms of application, the blood-brain barrier technologies market is divided into segments including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Hunter's syndrome, brain cancer, and others. The Parkinson's disease segment is projected to hold the largest market share in 2021.

Key organizations and sources that have contributed to the research and analysis of the global blood-brain barrier technologies market include the Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom, Globocan, Alzheimer Europe, the Alzheimer?s Society, the Epilepsy Society, the United Kingdom National Health Service, the Alzheimer's Association, Istituto Superiore di Sanit?, World Bank Data, the Center for Health Informatics, the Foundation for Research on Rare Diseases and Disorders, the Saudi Journal of Health Science, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the CDC, the WHO, and various academic journals and registries.