Radioembolization Spheres to See Strong Growth in China Through 2016

May 23, 2012 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight TimeImproved Screening Uncovering High Rate of Liver Cancer Requiring Treatment, According to Millennium Research GroupTORONTO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the embolization particle segment of the Asia Pacific transcatheter embolization and occlusion (TEO) device market will expand rapidly through 2016, driven by innovations that have led to new uses in the treatment of peripheral vascular tumors, particularly primary liver cancer. China will become an increasingly significant market.A key area of growth will be the use of premium-price radioembolization spheres and drug-eluting beads in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic colorectal cancer. China will be a large market for these treatments. Because of the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, which is associated with HCC, China has a high age-standardized liver cancer rate of 25.7 per 100,000. By comparison, the rate in the United States is three per 100,000. South Korea has similarly high rates.Improved screening has led to a significant increase in the potential patient pool in China. As a result, the radioembolization sphere market will grow at an average rate of more than 26 percent per year in China through 2016. In addition, most TEO indications are age-related diseases. China’s already larger over-65 population is expected to double by 2020. All of these factors will contribute to strong TEO market growth in Asia Pacific overall, reaching $410 million by 2016.“Each market has its individual features,” said MRG Analyst Sean Messenger. “South Korea’s radioembolization market, like China’s, has a large potential patient pool. But most South Korean physicians use Gelfoam in liver cancer embolization procedures. This is an established process, with a lot of clinical evidence behind it. South Korean physicians, even younger ones, tend to follow established practices more than physicians in other countries and therefore are expected to continue using Gelfoam. As a result, competitors are not putting emphasis on this market, slowing penetration into the patient pool.”In 2011, Nordion and Sirtex Medical were only two competitors in the radioembolization sphere market. Though both companies are relatively small, they have implemented aggressive marketing strategies, and both companies have seen substantial growth through their radioembolization sphere offerings.Millennium Research Group’s Asia Pacific Markets for Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices 2012 report includes procedure, unit, average selling price and revenue information, along with market drivers and limiters and competitive landscape for INR embolization coils, INR coiling-assist devices, INR flow-diverting devices, PV embolization coils, PV plugs, embolization particles, liquid embolics and TEO accessory devices sold in Australia, China, India and South Korea.

About Millennium Research GroupMillennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources Group company (www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com), is the global authority on medical technology market intelligence and the leading provider of strategic information to the healthcare sector. The company provides specialized industry expertise through multiclient market research, ongoing Marketrack™ projects, customer loyalty tracking, facility-level procedure forecasting, and customized solutions.

About Decision Resources GroupDecision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information, and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.