Batten Disease Treatment Market Continues to Expand as Abeona Therapeutics Inc. partners with Taysha Gene Therapies to boost ABO-202 as potential gene therapy for infantile Batten disease

 

Batten disease, a rare inherited disorder, characterized by the presence of multiple small lesions in the soft palate and the surrounding mucous membrane. These lesions are called nodes in medical terminology. In some cases, there may be a solitary large node in the soft palate. Batten sufferers usually feel no pain and most cases can go unnoticed. The disorder typically affects men between the ages of thirty to sixty. The prevalence of neurological disorders such as Batten disease, ataxia, Bell’s palsy, epilepsy, and more has increased significantly over the years. As per the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), around 25 to 35 in 100,000 people in the U.S. are affected by Bell’s palsy, while 40,000 individuals are diagnosed with the same in the U.S. each year.  As per the World Health Organization (WHO), in June 2019, around 50 million people across the globe had epilepsy, which makes it one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide. Furthermore, as per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, around 2 out of 4 every 100,000 children in the U.S. suffer from Batten disease. As a result of the demand for adequate neurological disorder treatment has increased. Hence, such factors can contribute to growth of the Batten disease treatment market in the near future.

Batten Disease is often difficult to detect as it does not present with symptoms. The disease is sometimes found through a physical examination, but it is rare that this disease is detected through a physical examination. When symptoms do appear, they are usually mild and are more common in younger patients. These include general malaise, abdominal pain and discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, and frequent burping. Since there is a high prevalence of neurological disorders, investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have increased substantially to accelerate R&D activities. The key players in these sectors are laying emphasis on the development of better treatment options and medications, which could potentially boost growth of the Batten disease treatment.

Recently, in September 2020, Abeona Therapeutics Inc. partnered with Taysha Gene Therapies to boost ABO-202 as potential gene therapy for infantile Batten disease.

Despite the fact that there are ongoing R&D activities, only one the drug has been approved for the treatment of Batten disease. Furthermore, its treatment cost is significantly high, which could hinder growth of the Batten disease treatment market. Remote places lack the availability of essential services, which is another challenging factor. Patients affected with this disease have to maintain a healthy weight, refrain from alcohol and drugs, avoid exposure to metals and chemicals and take precautions while traveling. It is important to maintain good health and resistance to infections if one wants to survive this disease

The demand for Batten disease treatment has witnessed significant growth in developed regions such as North America and Europe. This is due to high incidence of Batten disease in the aforementioned regions. Furthermore, there have been rigorous studies regarding drug discovery in these developed regions, which could stimulate the regional growth of the Batten disease treatment market.