Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market is segmented By Therapeutics (NK Cell Therapies, NK Cell Directed Antibodies), By Application (Cancer, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Immunoproliferative Disorders, Other), By End-User (Hospital, Clinics, Research and Academic Institutes, Others), By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Overview

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market size was valued at US$ XX million in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of  40.8% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

In general, natural killer cells are large granular lymphocytes. Any pathogenic condition causes these cells to respond swiftly. These natural killer cells are also responsible for the production of immunoregulatory cytokines. These natural killer cells are also an important part of the human immune system. These natural killer cells are responsible for producing a fast immune response in the face of many diseases and malignancies.

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Dynamics

Natural Killer Cells have been used in various molecular and combinational therapies in recent years, which has increased the acceptance of such treatments. Furthermore, they can be used as an anti-infectious disease therapeutic tool and an anti-cancer alternative to T cells. Ex vivo NK cell culture research is being conducted to explore and develop newer therapies to treat infections and tumors.These factors are going to boost the global natural killer cell therapeutics market.

The Increasing R&D and FDA approvals will drive the market growth   

In August 2019, Celgene Corporation announced that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the introduction of INREBI® (fedratinib). This new medication is designed to treat adults with high-risk primary, secondary, intermediate-2, or myelofibrosis. In August 2019, Affimed NV announced entering into a strategic collaboration agreement with Genetech. Genetech is a well-known brand within the Roche Group. The agreement's goal is to develop, commercialize, and market new natural killer engager-based immunotherapeutics to treat various cancers.

The increased use of natural killer cells (NK cells) in the treatment of cancer, infections, and liver diseases is a major factor driving the growth of the natural killer cells therapeutics market. Furthermore, NK cells play an important role in tumor immune surveillance, which increases the global adoption of NK therapeutics. Furthermore, increased public awareness of various immunotherapies and increased R&D for the development of bi-specific antibodies for engaging NK cells to eliminate tumor cells drive global market growth. Furthermore, according to the NK cell therapeutics market forecast, a significant increase in R&D activities for immunotherapy development in developing economies is expected to provide lucrative opportunities.

High cost of therapies is likely to hamper the market growth

In developing economies, research and development spending primarily rely on funding from outside sources. Although governments and private bodies try to fund research programs, many research firms and academic institutes face budget constraints. They cannot afford advanced and high-priced equipment and technologies, which harms the growth of these industries and their expansion in developing countries. This restricts the number of therapies performed in these countries and poses a challenge for the natural killer cell therapeutics market.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Covid-19 has had an important impact on the industry's growth, economy, health, and mental well-being. In this difficult situation, every industry strives to provide the highest quality and safest services possible. The pandemic has made it tougher to bring new medications to market in the hopes of earning market share or reaching sales projections. Aside from new diagnoses and regimen switching, marketing channels aren't as strong as before the epidemic. The few open channels continue to be dominated by COVID-19 programming. COVID-19 has slowed down clinical trials across the board, notably those in the early stages of development. As traditional study sites closed, researchers were often unable to collect data remotely, and many patients became less willing to participate. Some therapeutic fields were particularly heavily damaged. While some development time can be made up, there are concerns about resource allocation and digital technology expenditures to keep trials running now and in the future.

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Segment Analysis

The cancer segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2031)        

Among the applications investigated in the study are cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, immunoproliferative disorders, and other diseases. In 2018, the cancer segment accounted for a sizable portion of the market. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period, owing to the increased use of NK cell therapies for cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and head and neck cancer.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, across the world, Cancer is the biggest cause of death worldwide, with approximately 10 million fatalities expected in 2020, accounting for nearly one in every six deaths. Breast, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate cancers are the most frequent. Tobacco use, a high BMI, alcohol consumption, a low fruit and vegetable intake, and a lack of physical activity counts for almost one-third of cancer fatalities. In low- and lower-middle-income nations, cancer-causing diseases such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis account for roughly 30% of cancer cases. Many tumors can be cured if caught early and appropriately treated. Thus people are seeking minimally invasive therapies fuelling the growth of the natural killer cell therapeutics market.

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Geographical Analysis

North America region holds the largest market share of the global natural killer cell therapeutics market

North America is anticipated to dominate the natural killer cell therapeutics market globally. The factors attributed to the region's high growth are the increase in the number of cancer patients, a rise in the senior population, and better healthcare facilities. According to an article published by the ENDOSCOPY CENTER, the digestive problem affects 62 million Americans every year. Most digestive illnesses become more common as people get older. Intestinal illnesses like gastroenteritis and appendicitis, more common in infants and children, are notable exceptions. Thus, the country's high prevalence of chronic diseases increases the demand for minimally invasive therapies, thus driving the natural killer cell therapeutics market.

Furthermore, organic and inorganic tactics within key market players, such as mergers and acquisitions and alliances, would strengthen their product range in the studied industry, driving the market. In addition, several product introductions in the market will lead to profitable market expansion. For instance, in June 2020, Sanofi had licensed Kiadis Pharma's K-NK004 product pipeline. This medicine is for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The company was able to collect USD 20.67 million upfront due to this arrangement, allowing it to accelerate its medication development process. Furthermore, advancements in various Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics therapies from established key players in the United States are likely to boost the market growth in North America.

Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics Market Competitive Landscape

The natural killer cell therapeutics market is a moderately competitive presence of local and global companies. Some of the key players contributing to the market's growth include Affimed N.V., Fate Therapeutics, Fortress Biotech, Glycostem Therapeutics B.V., Innate Pharma S.A., Immunity Bio, Nkarta Therapeutics Inc, NKT Therapeutics Inc, and Kleo Pharmaceuticals. among others. The major players are adopting several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, which contribute to the growth of the Natural Killer Cell Therapeutics market globally. For instance, In January 2022, ImmunityBio, Inc., a clinical-stage immunotherapy company, was granted a patent in the United States for a novel natural killer (N.K.) cell therapy composition and method for treating cancer, which combines the company's genetically modified NK-92 cells with CD16 receptors to improve monoclonal antibody binding and activity. Combining these modified NK-92 cells with conventional monoclonal antibody therapy has the potential to enhance the overall cytotoxic effects of monoclonal antibody treatment alone, as well as assist patients in avoiding relapse by enhancing their own natural immune system response.

Key Developments

• In August 2020, In collaboration with the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, Cytovia Therapeutics filed a patent application for iPSC-Derived NK Cells to create infinite on-demand NK and CAR-NK cells for cancer treatment.
• In March 2021, The FDA gave the green light to a Celgene spinoff's NK cell therapy to treat aggressive brain tumors.
• In November 2021, In PHASE 1-2 Study of cord blood-derived natural killer cells pre-complexed with innate cells engager AFM13 for CD30-positive lymphomas, Affimed announced a 100 percent objective response rate at the highest dose.
• In May 2020, Kleo Pharmaceuticals and Celularity formed a research partnership to quickly develop COVID-19 and Multiple Myeloma allogeneic NK cell combination therapies.

Affimed N.V.

Overview:

Affimed NV is a biopharmaceutical business in the clinical stage. The company is focused on researching and developing cancer immunotherapies with a specific target. Its product candidates are being developed in immuno-oncology, a cancer treatment method that aims to use the body's immune system to combat tumor cells. In addition, the company is working on single and combination treatments to treat cancer and other life-threatening disorders. Its primary source of revenue is the United States, although it also has operations in Europe and Germany.

Product Portfolio:

The ROCK:  The ROCK® (Redirected Optimized Cell Killing) platform allows for creating customizable ICE® (innate cell engager) molecules in a modular fashion. High-affinity ICE (innate cell engager) molecules developed on the ROCK platform can attach bivalently to NK cells via CD16A without causing nonspecific NK cell activation or cell fratricide. Our ICE (innate cell engager) molecules' bivalent interaction with CD16A boosts NK-cell activation and anticancer efficacy. Compared to Fc-enhanced IgG antibodies, ICE (innate cell engager) molecules with a tetravalent, bispecific structure may trigger greater tumor-cell death in vitro.