Middle East & Africa Epilepsy Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Type, Route of Administration, Treatment Type, Age Group, and Distribution Channel

The Middle East & Africa epilepsy market was valued at US$ 456.34 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 568.00 million by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 2.8% from 2022 to 2030.

Gene Therapy as Promising Treatment Approach Bolsters Middle East & Africa Epilepsy Market

Gene therapies are being explored as potential treatment options for certain genetic epilepsies. This innovative approach is aimed at treating diseases by modifying or manipulating the genetic makeup of cells. The fundamental principle of gene therapy is to correct or replace faulty genes that contribute to the development or progression of a particular condition. Since epileptic seizures are caused by excessive brain cell activity (neurons) in particular parts of the organ, targeting these neurons and turning them off could help prevent seizures. Two standard gene therapy techniques that can be employed to design an epilepsy treatment are gene addition and gene editing.

Gene addition involves adding genetic material to an individual's cells to balance a missing or abnormal gene, while gene editing involves treating genetic epilepsy by directly modifying an individual's gene. By targeting specific genes associated with epilepsy and manipulating cellular genetic material, gene therapy can help restore normal cellular function and inhibit seizure generation.

Examining the genetic causes of a condition allows healthcare providers to offer more personalized and targeted treatment approaches. In cases involving heritable mutations, this knowledge aids in understanding the risks for affected families and facilitates genetic counseling, followed by informed decision-making. Ongoing advancements in the identification of genetic factors causing epilepsy to play a crucial role in guiding the medical care and management of affected individuals. Next-generation sequencing has largely driven significant progress in the field of genetics. This high-throughput genetic sequencing technique enables a faster and more comprehensive analysis of DNA, thereby aiding the identification of genetic causes of conditions such as epilepsy.

The continued progress in genetic research holds the potential to improve the care and support provided to individuals with epilepsy and their families. By targeting genes associated with ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, or cellular signaling pathways, researchers can investigate how alterations in these genes contribute to epileptogenesis.

Although gene therapy for epilepsy is still in the early stages of development, preclinical studies in animal models have shown promising results. Animal models with specific epilepsy-related genetic mutations have been treated using gene therapy approaches, resulting in reduced seizure frequency and improved seizure control. In December 2023, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology researchers developed a new gene therapy to cure a devastating form of childhood epilepsy, which has been shown to notably reduce seizures in mice. They assessed a gene therapy based on the overexpression of a potassium channel that controls neuronal excitability in a mouse model with focal cortical dysplasia in the frontal lobe.

The researchers injected an engineered potassium channel gene termed EKC into the affected frontal lobe of epileptic mice. They employed a virus lacking replicability as a vector to carry the potassium channel gene. The researchers found that gene therapy lowered seizures by an average of 87% compared to the control group without altering the mouse's memory or behavior. Taking into account the unmet needs in epilepsy therapeutics, it can be utilized to treat children who are severely affected by uncontrolled seizures.

Many gene therapy trials for the treatment of epilepsy are currently underway or in the planning stages. The purpose of these trials is to estimate the safety and effectiveness of gene therapies in human patients with specific genetic forms of epilepsy. It is an AAV-based gene therapy that has the potential to enhance the quality of life for people with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, for which no effective treatment is available currently. The therapy candidate CG01 uses a gene therapy vector to deliver a combination of neuropeptide Y and its receptor Y2 directly to the area of the brain that triggers epileptic seizures.

Thus, gene therapy is likely to serve as a promising new trend in the epilepsy market in the coming years.

Middle East & Africa Epilepsy Market Overview

The epilepsy market in the MEA is further segmented into the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the Rest of MEA. The median prevalence of epilepsy in MEA countries is 7 per 1,000 persons. The most common risk factors that were found to be associated with increased risk of epilepsy development include consanguinity, family history of epilepsy, and a history of perinatal infections.

Middle East & Africa Epilepsy Market Revenue and Forecast to 2030 (US$ Million)

Middle East & Africa Epilepsy Market Segmentation

The Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is categorized into type, route of administration, treatment type, age group, distribution channel, and country.

Based on type, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is categorized into progressive myoclonic epilepsy, reflex epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, and other. The generalized epilepsy segment held the largest market share in 2022.

In terms of route of administration, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is categorized into oral, parenteral, and others. The oral segment held the largest market share in 2022.

By treatment type, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is segmented into first generation drugs, second generation drugs, and third generation drugs. The third-generation drugs segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on age group, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is bifurcated into adult and children. The adult segment held a larger market share in 2022.

In terms of distribution channel, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is categorized into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and others. The hospital pharmacies segment held the largest market share in 2022.

By country, the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market is segmented into Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, and the Rest of Middle East & Africa. The Rest of Middle East & Africa dominated the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market share in 2022.

Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer Inc, Eisai Co Ltd, UCB SA, LivaNova Plc, Novartis AG, Medtronic Plc, GSK Plc, and H. Lundbeck AS are some of the leading companies operating in the Middle East & Africa epilepsy market.