Narcolepsy Drugs Market Poised to Exceed US$6.5 Bn by 2026 End, Forecasts Fairfield Market Research

October 2021

Narcolepsy is a long-term neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep–wake cycles. While there is no absolute cure for this condition, drug therapies are often employed to effectively manage and aid in improving the quality of life for patients. Sodium oxybate is one such drug that is often prescribed for therapeutic purposes. Retailed under the name Xyrem, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (ASSM) recommends this drug as the gold standard for narcolepsy with hypersomnia (EDS), and cataplexy. This drug segment is FDA approved and is expected to account for about 52% of this global narcolepsy drugs market.

On the other hand, owing to the expiration of patents for drugs such as Provigil, and Nuvigil, there is expected to be a decline in the psychostimulants market segment over the forecast period. A comprehensive study by Fairfield Market Research indicates that the narcolepsy drugs market is expected to index a CAGR of 11.2% in the coming years. Greater awareness of this condition and the potential for supplementary treatment to aid in general wellbeing of patients is also a factor that is expected to boost adoption rates for narcoleptic drugs in the years ahead.

Key Research Insights

  • The global narcolepsy drugs market was valued at US$3.8 Bn in 2021

  • Jazz Pharmaceuticals is the largest narcolepsy drugs company in the world

  • The market is projected to index a CAGR of 11.2% over the forecast period

  • North America to remain a key revenue contributor in narcolepsy drugs market

Increasing R&D Activities to Facilitate Drug Innovations in the Coming Years

Several authorities around the world such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, among others, are aiding in a greater number of research activities to facilitate drug innovation through the issuance of various grants. Greater research initiatives being undertaken to further understand the regulation off REM sleep and other sleep behaviours by examining brain mechanisms is another complementary growth factor that is expected to augment the growth of narcolepsy drugs market in the future.

North America to Account for the Majority Share of This Global Market

Over the forecast period, North America is expected to continue to retain its majority share of the global narcolepsy drugs market, indexing a projected growth rate of 11.6%. This can be attributed to the increasing adoption of treatment solutions for narcolepsy and other sleeping disorders, in conjunction with surging healthcare expenditures in countries such as the United States, and Canada. This region is slated to be followed by markets in Europe.

According to a study by Fairfield Market Research, it has also been found that the onset of COVID-19 had led to a substantial increase in the prevalence of sleeping disorders. However, the Asia Pacific is projected to register a significant increase in market growth prospects on account of improving standards of living, better healthcare reimbursement policies, a growing demand for these drugs, as well as a greater awareness of sleeping disorders among the public in this region.   

Global Narcolepsy Drugs Market – Key Competitors

Harmony Biosciences, Avadel Pharmaceuticals Plc, Axsome Therapeutics Inc., Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc., GrayMark Healthcare Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Shionogi Inc., and Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., all collectively account for the majority revenue share of the global narcolepsy drugs market and are extensively detailed under the comprehensive competitive profiling and strategic analysis.