EPO Biomarkers Market

EPO Biomarkers Market Analysis

The EPO Biomarkers Market size is estimated at USD 70.02 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 91.48 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.49% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Erythropoietin (EPO) biomarkers play a vital role in diagnosing, prognosis, and managing conditions related to erythropoiesis, such as anemia and chronic kidney disease. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing research studies in diagnostic technologies, and surge in demand for personalized medicine contribute to the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, as per a study published by the Epidemiology of Chronic Disease and Prevention in July 2023, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10%-15% of the worldwide population, and more than 2 million people globally received treatment with dialysis or kidney transplants to stay alive in 2022. Of these, 20% are treated in 100 low-income countries, which comprise half of the world's population.

Similarly, per data published by the International Society of Nephrology in August 2023, the median CKD prevalence in Eastern and Central Europe was 12.8%, ranging from 9.3% in Cyprus to 16.8% in Estonia in 2022. Thus, the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney diseases is anticipated to drive the demand for biomarkers, which play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating these diseases.

Moreover, as per the data published by the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund in November 2023, over 39 million people lived with HIV in 2022 around the globe. Certain regions of the globe are disproportionately affected by HIV. There were 20.8 million people with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa, 4.8 million in Western and Central Africa, 6.5 million in Asia-Pacific, and 2.3 million in Western and Central Europe in 2022. With the growing needs of this patient population, the government and pharmaceutical industries are focused on investing more in developing EPO biomarkers, which positively affect market growth.

Factors such as favorable healthcare regulations in developed economies and increasing research and development in EPO biomarker technology are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in June 2022, the research team at Kyoto University unveiled the distinctive behaviors of erythropoietin (Epo)-producing cells. This discovery provides valuable insights into the mechanism behind renal anemia, a prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease resulting from the kidneys' inadequate production of EPO. Such studies are expected to expand the research and development activities related to EPO biomarkers to introduce innovative therapies, thereby surging its demand in the upcoming years.

Moreover, biomarkers offer valuable insights into disease pathogenesis and therapeutic efficacy, enabling personalized approaches and better clinical outcomes. As the demand for personalized medicine surges, the introduction of novel EPO biomarkers in the market significantly increases. For instance, as per a study published by Scientific Reports in September 2023, EPO levels were decreased in anemia of inflammation (AI) or anemia of unknown etiology (AUE) population while increased in bone marrow disease-associated anemia, suggesting its role in differentiating bone marrow disease in elderly anemic patients with unclear etiology. Thus, growing clinical studies highlighting the significance of EPO markers in diagnosing and treating various diseases are expected to open new growth avenues and expand its application in different therapeutic areas, thereby contributing to market growth.

Therefore, the market is anticipated to grow during the forecast period due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rise in research studies, and growing demand for personalized medicine. However, the limited availability of quality control testing laboratories and the risk of severe side effects may hinder the market's growth.

EPO Biomarkers Market Trends

The Cancer Segment by Application is Expected Witness Significant Growth During the Forecast Period

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a growth factor used to treat anemia caused by cancer or its treatment. The growing incidence of cancer is expected to be the key driver of the segment's growth during the forecast period. For instance, according to GLOBOCAN 2022 Statistics, approximately 20 million cancer cases were newly diagnosed worldwide in 2022, and by 2050, the number of cancer cases is predicted to increase to 35 million globally. The increasing incidence of cancer cases is anticipated to drive the need for the effective treatment of patients.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can lower the production of new blood cells, leading to anemia by decreasing red blood cell production. Some examples of erythropoietin used for the treatment of anemia caused by cancer treatment are epoetin alfa (Eprex), epoetin beta (NeoRecormon), epoetin zeta (Retacrit), and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp).

For example, a study published by Highlights in Science, Engineering, and Technology in August 2024 concluded that recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) could effectively enhance the abnormal hematopoietic function of bone marrow damaged by chemotherapy. It was proved that rhEPO can significantly increase patients' hemoglobin (Hb) content and hematocrit (HCT) levels after chemotherapy and improve their tolerance. It further highlighted that it has fewer adverse reactions and is safer. Thus, the safety and positive clinical outcomes reported by EPO are anticipated to drive demand for the treatment of anemia caused by cancer treatment, thereby driving demand and segment growth.

North America is Expected to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period

North America is expected to witness healthy market growth during the forecast period. Factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in countries of this region, coupled with the surge in clinical research related to EPO biomarkers and the strong presence of market players, are among some significant factors responsible for the market growth across the region.

The increasing incidence rate of HIV/AIDs among people in North America is a vital factor attributed to the growing usage of erythropoietin (EPO) biomarkers for effective diagnosis to boost the market's growth during the forecast period. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data updated in May 2024, over 38,000 people received an HIV diagnosis. Men are most affected, making up almost 80% of diagnoses, with gay and bisexual men accounting for the majority in 2022. Similarly, as per the Public Health Agency of Canada's December 2023 publication, the new HIV diagnoses cases increased by 24.9% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Additionally, the increasingly vulnerable aging population prone to chronic kidney diseases in the region is also contributing to the surging demand for early-stage diagnosis. For instance, according to the 2023 statistics published by the United Nations Population Fund, about 20% of the population in Canada was 65 years or older in 2023. Thus, a significant percentage of the aging population is expected to increase the burden of CKD, which is anticipated to increase new research and development, creating opportunities to advance EPO biomarkers.

Moreover, the region's continuous research and development to find the practical application of different EPO biomarkers in blood pressure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease is increasing. Thus, the ongoing research is poised to create more new opportunities for the studied market in the region. For instance, a study published by the World Journal of Cardiology in May 2023 examined the benefits of EPO in treating patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) was a drug routinely prescribed to treat anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and rhEPO treatment has been demonstrated to improve patients' life quality and survival. It is reasonable to assume that rhEPO treatment is useful for patients with CRS. Such studies highlight the clinical significance of EPO and broaden its practical application, which is anticipated to drive its demand across the region during the forecast period.

Therefore, owing to factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney diseases coupled with a surge in clinical studies, the significance of EPO markers in diagnosing and treating various diseases is anticipated for market growth in North America.

EPO Biomarkers Industry Overview

The EPO biomarkers market is competitive and consists of several major players and smaller companies. With technological advancements and product innovations, mid-size to smaller companies are increasing their market presence globally. The competitive landscape includes analyzing several companies that hold most of the market shares, such as 3Sbio Group, Amgen Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

EPO Biomarkers Market Leaders

EPO Biomarkers Market News

• March 2024: CSL Vifor, in partnership with Akebia Therapeutics Inc., received the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Vafseo (vadadustat), developed by Akebia. It is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor indicated to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease in adults who receive dialysis for at least three months.
• October 2023: Genexine, a clinical-stage Korean biopharmaceutical company in a joint venture with PT Kalbe Farma named KGbio, received approval from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease-induced anemia in non-dialysis patients for novel long-acting erythropoietin, Epoetin alfa.