Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Outlook:
Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market size was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2024 and is poised to reach USD 7.8 billion by the end of 2037, expanding at around 12.7% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of sickle cell disease drugs is estimated at USD 3.1 billion.
Food and Drug Administration approval led to market adoption in the global market at a rapid scale, resulting in high market growth of the sickle cell disease drugs. According to the study of the World Health Organization, approximately 290,000 newborns are affected by the disease of sickle cell each year. Intervention of the disease with the help of hydroxyurea and monoclonal antibodies is efficient in overcoming the health risk that has raised the demand for sickle cell disease drugs in the market. Medicare coverage is expanded throughout the world to ensure higher accessibility. For instance, Medicaid coverage is more than 55% of the total treatment cost, which ensures high demand for the sickle cell disease drugs.
API manufacturers that include hydroxyurea are the leading suppliers in the manufacturing of sickle cell disease drugs. More than 75% of the production of FDA-approved drugs is conducted in the U.S. and the EU. Cold chain logistics is necessary to store the drugs for gene therapies, which often complicate the logistics management in low-resource regions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the Producer Price Index increased by 7.4% and the Consumer Price Index rose to 9.3%. Research and development within the sickle cell disease drugs elevated through fund allocation of USD 1 billion in 2024, within which over 60% is allocated only for gene-editing technologies.

Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Growth Drivers and Challenges:
Growth Drivers
- Growth in global patient pool: Rise in the number of sickle cell disease patients drives the market to raise demand for the drug to reduce the health risk. As per the report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 98,000 cases of sickle cell are diagnosed. Betterment in the diagnosis infrastructure and mandate of newborn screening led to growth in pediatric diagnosis by 18% in North America. This raised the demand for sickle cell disease drugs in the concerned region. Europe also experienced a growth of sickle cell disease patients with 24% since 2018, which accelerated the market for the specific drug to overcome the health risk.
- FDA acceleration: The Approval receiving period and duration to launch the new product in the market is one of the important growth factors that promote market scalability. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration, Fast Track approvals for Casgevy and Lyfgenia drugs in 2023 ensured a high market adoption rate and expanded the gene therapy. An assessment was made that with the help of the approval made by the FDA, the market revenue accumulation capacity expands to USD 4.1 billion by 2030. The scope of the innovation gap is leveraged through approval and fast adoption in the market, which helps the market to generate more revenue and promote development. Viral vector manufacturing, implemented a bottleneck limiting production, which is approximately more than 550 doses each year throughout the world.
Manufacturing Strategies to Ensure Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Expansion
The key strategies incorporated by the manufacturer to conduct market expansion include research and development, strategic collaboration, pricing innovation, and many more. For instance, Pfizer followed the acquisition strategy to expand their business and acquired Global Blood Therapeutics in 2022. This led to securing Oxbryta and holding more than 30% of the U.S. hemoglobin modulator market. FDA-approved gene therapy is focused on VerteX/CRISPR’s Casgevy. This is anticipated for the business to accumulate revenue of approximately USD 1 billion annually by 2026. Price reduction of over 55% in Africa is conducted by Novartis through collaboration with the Gates Foundation.
The following table denotes revenue opportunities for manufacturers:
Company |
Strategy Implemented |
Projected Revenue Impact (USD) |
Implementation Year |
Pfizer |
Focusing on the Oxbryta market expansion |
710 million |
2023 |
Vertex/CRISPR |
Casgevy launches in EU/US |
1250 million |
2023 |
Novartis |
Adakveo price reduction in Africa |
310 million |
2022 |
Bluebird Bio |
Lyfgenia Medicare coverage |
450 |
2021 |
Key Market Dynamics for Historical Patient Growth
A consistent growth in the global sickle cell disease drugs market is addressed within the period of 2014 to 2024. Betterment in the diagnosis infrastructure is the key factor that has raised the number of patients in the global market and driven the higher demand for sickle cell disease drugs. Regulatory push for mandatory newborn screening and an increase in life expectancy rate led the government to take sincere initiatives that advocated for the growth of the market. Therapeutic advancement is introduced that provides better patient outcomes, which has led to more prescribed references for the sickle cell disease drugs throughout the world. Historical expansion directed the U.S. and EU markets to adopt hydroxyurea elevate over 290%. The undiagnosed population in the emerging markets of Africa and India is targeted to scale up significant demand for gene therapy and leverage the demand for sickle cell disease drugs.
The following table denotes historical patient growth in the past ten years across different countries:
Country |
2014 Procedures (Thousands) |
2024 Procedures (Thousands) |
CAGR (%) |
U.S. |
170.5 |
100.2 |
3.7% |
Germany |
8.2 |
15.6 |
6.6% |
France |
10.4 |
18.3 |
6.2% |
Spain |
5.2 |
9.3 |
6.1% |
Australia |
2.2 |
4.3 |
7.5% |
Japan |
3.5 |
5.4 |
5.6% |
India |
150.9 |
400.3 |
10.5% |
China |
30.4 |
80.6 |
10.7% |
Challenges
- Patient affordability: The developing countries possess a high number of low to medium-income groups of population that face major barriers to accessing the premium treatment. High cost of production leads to the sickle cell disease drugs to elevated, which becomes out of budget in the developing countries. As per the study by the World Health Organization, hydroxyurea costs more than USD 48 per year, which is less accessible for 92% of the population in India, and faces a struggle to adapt to the new biologics. Africa also experienced the same issues, where over 78% of the patients fail to afford the crizanlizumab and leading to low accessibility in the market. Low insurance coverage resulted to be the major barrier for the market to achieve free growth in the developing country.
Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Size and Forecast:
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Base Year |
2024 |
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
CAGR |
12.7% |
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 2.9 billion |
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 7.8 billion |
Regional Scope |
|
Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Segmentation:
Drug Class Segment Analysis
Gene therapy is the dominant segment that is expected to hold a market share of 38.5% by 2037. The approval received from the Food and Drug Administration and European Medical Agency for Casgevy and Lyfgenia led to high adoption in the market. The Efficacy of the drug with one-time dosing ensured a better outcome for the sickle cell disease treatment. According to the National Institute of Health, it is projected that the high price point of the gene therapy drug will elevate the revenue accumulation rate in the global market.
Mechanism Action Segment Analysis
The haemoglobin polymerization inhibitors segment is expected to hold a considerable market share by 2037. According to the report of the World Health Organization, hydroxyurea adoption is expanding at a faster scale in the emerging market. Production cost of hydroxyurea is comparatively low in India and Africa as comparison to the US and EU markets. Approximately USD 48 /year is the manufacturing cost of hydroxyurea in India, which is USD 990/year in the U.S. This led to the quick adoption of hydroxyurea and promoted the growth of haemoglobin polymerization inhibitors.
Our in-depth analysis of the global sickle cell disease drugs market includes the following segments:
Segment |
Subsegment |
Drug Class |
|
Mechanism of Action |
|
Distribution Channel |
|

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Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Regional Analysis:
North America Market Insights
The North America market for the sickle cell disease drugs market is dominant and anticipated to hold a market share of 45.3% by 2037. Development of the healthcare infrastructure and an increased number of diagnoses led to an increased burden of incidence of sickle cell disease in North America. Quick adoption of the advanced treatment through gene therapy and the use of hydroxyurea led to better patient outcomes and quick recovery from the disease. The government support expanded, and Medicare coverage increased to more than 55%, which ensured higher accessibility for patients in the concerned market. Government intervention to regulate the price cap is not conducted in North America, which allows the market to perform a higher rate of research and development, significantly leading to market growth. Manufacturers find it easier to recover the cost of the R&D as comparison to the markets of the EU and the Asia Pacific.
The U.S. markets dominate the regional market of sickle cell disease drugs. Medicaid expansion to approximately USD 1.1 billion in 2024 resulted in the growth of market accessibility. Federal funding that estimates approximately USD 4.8 billion and almost 8.6% of the health care budget is invested in research and development for sickle cell disease. As per the mandate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new-born screening is made compulsory, that led to an increased number of diagnoses and directed the market demand for sickle cell disease drugs. More than 75% of the global SDC trials are conducted in the U.S., which leads the country to dominate in the North America region. Almost over 85% of the global gene therapy revenue is accumulated from the U.S. market through Casgevy and Lyfgenia.
Asia Pacific Market Insights
The Asia Pacific is addressed as the emerging region in the sickle cell disease drugs market and is anticipated to hold a global market share of 18.5% by 2037. According to the report of the World Health Organization, more than 75% of newborns born with sickle cell disease are addressed in India and Africa. Diagnosis level of the diseases is quite less, although advancement in the healthcare infrastructure and government initiatives is gradually expanding the early diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Government-led initiative resulted in the expansion of the treatment and raised awareness in the Asia Pacific market, which generated a significant demand for sickle cell disease drugs. Cost-effective manufacturing of the drug is conducted in the Asia Pacific market, which has made hydroxyurea the primary therapy as per a study by the WHO.
The market of sickle cell disease drugs in India is growing at a rapid pace and is anticipated to hold a regional market share of 55.7% by 2037. A higher number of patients dealing with sickle cell disease is addressed in India, that elevated the demand for advanced and affordable treatment. As per the report placed by ICMR, over 390k patients are diagnosed with sickle cell disease in India. Government expenditure expanded up to USD 1.9 billion through the National SCD Mission launched in 2023. This resulted in patient accessibility and avail the treatment for sickle cell disease. The manufacturing cost of hydroxyurea in India is USD 50 each year, which is quite low in comparison to the U.S. and other countries. More than 85% of the population depends on the generics that contain hydroxyurea.
Asia-Pacific Region: Government Investment & Policy Table for 2025- sickle cell disease drugs
Country |
Investment (USD) |
Key policies |
Target |
China |
26.8 billion |
National Mission for SCD and |
Expanding accessibility boosts the generic market. |
Japan |
31.4 million |
Fast-track approvals for SCD drugs and NHI coverage expansion for voxelotor |
Enhance the adoption of premium-priced drugs. |
South Korea |
9.9 million |
Tax incentives for SCD drug manufacturers and subsidies in Pediatric SCD treatment |
Advocating local production & pediatric care |
Australia |
13.5 million |
PBS listings for crizanlizumab and Funding for rural SCD patient support programs |
Improving affordability & patient adherence |

Key Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Players:
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
The global market of sickle cell disease drugs experiences a highly competitive nature. The leading key players like Pfizer, Novartis, and many more incorporated different competitive strategies to escalate market share in the global market. Innovative therapy presented in the market by Pfizer and Novartis resulted in to acquisition strong position in the competitive market. Affordable generics are considered the most effective strategy in emerging markets like India and Malaysia.
Companies like Sun Pharma and Cipla introduced the sickle cell disease drugs that are generic in nature and affordable in range. Companies like Bluebird Bio, Vertex, and many more invested in gene therapy, which upscaled the revenue accumulation rate for the business. Sanofi and Novartis developed a dominating market share in Europe with the help of biologics and patent protection programs.
Here are some leading players in the sickle cell disease drugs market:
Company Name |
Industry Focus |
Market Share (2024) |
Leading developer of SCD therapies, including Oxbryta |
18.2% |
|
Novartis AG (Switzerland) |
Produces Adakveo and focuses on precision medicine for SCD. |
15.4% |
Global Blood Therapeutics (U.S.) |
Specializes in Oxbryta |
12.3% |
Bluebird Bio (U.S.) |
Pioneering gene therapies for SCD |
10.4% |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (U.S.) |
Developing CRISPR-based therapy |
9.4% |
Sanofi (France) |
Markets: Crizanlizumab in Europe & emerging markets. |
xx% |
Emmaus Life Sciences (U.S.) |
Produces Endari |
xx% |
Bristol-Myers Squibb (U.S.) |
Focuses on hematology drugs. |
xx% |
CSL Behring (Australia) |
Developing plasma-based therapies for SCD complications. |
xx% |
Daiichi Sankyo (Japan) |
Investing in small-molecule SCD drugs. |
xx% |
Takeda Pharmaceutical (Japan) |
Expanding rare disease portfolio, including SCD. |
xx% |
AstraZeneca (UK) |
Exploring anti-inflammatory SCD drugs. |
xx% |
GlaxoSmithKline (UK) |
Developing next-gen therapies, including gene editing. |
xx% |
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) |
SCD-focused biotechs |
xx% |
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (U.S.) |
Working on RNAi-based SCD therapies. |
xx% |
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (India) |
Leading generic hydroxyurea supplier |
xx% |
Cipla Ltd. (India) |
affordable SCD drugs |
xx% |
Bioverativ (U.S.) |
Focuses on SCD biologics |
xx% |
Hanmi Pharmaceutical (South Korea) |
Developing novel SCD small molecules |
xx% |
Pharmaniaga Berhad (Malaysia) |
Government-backed local SCD drug production. |
xx% |
Below are the areas covered for each company in the sickle cell disease drugs market:
Recent Developments
- In March 2024, Pfizer launched Oxbryta with the targeted patient population based on the age group of 4-11 in the U.S. and EU markets. This resulted in a growth of 15% in revenue accumulation and is expected to gain USD 320 million in additional annual sales.
- In January 2024, Vertex Pharmaceutical & CRISPR Therapeutics introduced Exa-cel, and considered to be the first gene therapy based on CRISPR. A potential cure is expected for the eligible patient of SCD based on the FDA approval.
Author Credits: Radhika Pawar
- Report ID: 3094
- Published Date: Jun 16, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
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Sickle Cell Disease Drugs Market Report Scope
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