Muscle weakness, cramps, and impaired musculoskeletal functions that occur due to rare defects in nerve and muscle cells characterize neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The disorders are largely classified as motor neuron diseases, hereditary ataxias, peripheral nerve disorders, neuromuscular junction transmission disorders, and myopathies. NMDs present significant clinical challenges because of disease heterogeneity and rarity of occurrence. The lack of measurable early disease markers and clinical outcomes further complicates the management of such disorders.
Biologics presents a personalized and targeted method to treat NMDs and is a promising treatment class. An overview of the global clinical trial landscape for emerging Phase 1, 2, and 3 treatments revealed that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), Diabetic Neuropathy (DN), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are the key hotspots for clinical studies. These indications are likely to witness new drug developments. Frost & Sullivan’s research, “Emerging Therapeutics for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases: A Pipeline Analysis” explores emerging biologics across these six NMDs.
Key biologics emerging for these rare NMDs include stem cell therapies, other cell-based treatments, gene therapies, RNA therapeutics, immunotherapies, and other protein/peptide-based treatments. There were 3 recent US FDA approvals for NMD RNA therapies: Nusinersen for SMA and Eteplirsen for DMD in 2016, and Golodirsen for DMD in 2019. Furthermore, Sarepta’s Casimersen for DMD and argenx’s efgartigimod for MG were approved as recently as 2021. Biologics have opened doors for ground-breaking disease-modifying treatments and will transform the quality of life for patients across the world.
While biologics may appear to cost more than small molecule treatments, they provide a personalized and, in some cases, the only treatment option. They can also be less expensive than lifetime treatment costs for certain rare NMDs. For example, Zolgensma’s $2.1 million price tag (approximate) is still lower than the standard medical costs incurred for SMA patients in a lifetime. Furthermore, the evolving payer landscape is likely to get more standardized in the coming years to offer greater access to biologicals. Therefore, biologics are suitably poised to transform the rare NMD landscape with personalized and targeted treatment strategies and will provide life-saving treatment options for fatal neuromuscular conditions.
Key Points Discussed
What are the key emerging biologics for NMDs with high clinical activity?
What are the key drivers or challenges for biologics development across NMDs?
How do venture funding and patent landscapes look for NMD biologics?
Who are the key industry participants developing biologics for NMDs?
What are the clinical trends emerging across each biologic category for NMDs?
Which biologic categories provide promising growth opportunities for NMD management?

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?The Strategic Imperative 8™: Factors Creating Pressure on Growth
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Rare Neuromuscular Disease Management
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Research Methodology
Scope of Analysis
Segmentation
Predominant Emerging Biologic Classes Across NMDs
Growth Drivers
Growth Restraints
Sharp Growth in Investor Interest for Rare NMD Treatments
Snapshot of Venture-backed Companies that Enable Biologics Progress
Biologic Patents for NMDs
Patent Landscape—Biologics for NMDs
Top Participants
Biological Therapies for ALS
ALS Cell Therapies, 2022
ALS Oligonucleotide Therapies, 2022
ALS Protein Therapies, 2022
Highlights of Recent Biologics Studies for ALS Treatment
Exploring New Therapy Paradigms for ALS Treatment
Upcoming Biologics for MG Treatment
Protein Therapies for MG
Clinical Trial Progress in Biologics* for MG
Dominant MG Biologics
Gene Therapies in the Emerging DMD Biologics Landscape
Exon-Skipping Therapies for DMD
Microdystrophin Gene Therapies for DMD
Oligonucleotide Therapies to Lead DMD Management
Approved and Emerging Biologics* Classes for SMA
Biologics Transforming the Clinical Landscape for SMA
SMA Management Through Groundbreaking Therapies
Novartis’ Zolgensma: A Clinical Breakthrough for SMA
Novartis’ Zolgensma: A Clinical Breakthrough for SMA (continued)
Novartis’ Zolgensma: A Clinical Breakthrough for SMA (continued)
Biologics for DN Treatment
Biologics for Treatment Personalization in DN
Emerging Biologics for CIDP Treatment
Immunoglobulins for CIDP Treatments
Growth Opportunity 1: RNA Therapeutics
Growth Opportunity 1: RNA Therapeutics (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Cell and Gene Therapeutics
Growth Opportunity 2: Cell and Gene Therapeutics (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Protein Therapeutics
Growth Opportunity 3: Protein Therapeutics (continued)
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| Deliverable Type | Technology Research |
|---|---|
| Author | Vandana Iyer |
| Industries | Healthcare |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | NMDs |
| Keyword 2 | Emerging Biologics |
| Keyword 3 | Emerging Healthcare |
| Podcast | No |
| WIP Number | DA79-01-00-00-00 |
Emerging Therapeutics for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases: Pipeline Analysis
Strategic partnering and new product development will enable better biologics for personalized and targeted treatment
09-Nov-2022
Global
Technology Research
