Global human growth hormone (HGH) market could reach $3.8bn by 2020
Human growth hormone (HGH) - is a highly potent anabolic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland - was first used for therapy in 1958 after being extracted from the pituitary gland. It was synthesized in 1985, after which the synthetic hormone somatropin was available on the market. Biosimilar somotropin - marketed by Sandoz as Omnitrope - was the first to be approved in the European Union in 2006 and in Japan in 2009.
Today, it is widely used to treat growth hormone deficiency, paediatric disorders linked with growth failure and HIV-related weight loss. Paediatric growth hormone deficiency continues to be the main end-use indication for human growth hormone therapies, while adult growth hormone deficiency remains a largely untreated condition.
HGH also has a darker side. It is used by many athletes, often illicitly, and by many bodybuilders. The human growth hormone has been featured in the media in recent times, especially during the London Olympic Games, when several tests were used for the first time. Anti-doping procedures have improved sufficiently to be able to test for the human growth hormone. Synthetic human growth hormone has been used by athletes who wish to build up strength or speed up recovery time, without risking the side-effects of anabolic steroids.
HGH has significant dangers, if used without supervision. A study published last week in the journal Neurology suggests young adults who received growth hormone replacement as children are subject to significant risk of stroke.
The research indicates a low risk increase for strokes caused by burst blood vessels in young adults treated as children, warranting that patients who received the growth hormone treatments should be consulted on this risk and its implications.
Earlier research has indicated that is a higher risk of death from heart and vascular diseases due to HGH use. However, little is known about the long-term effects of HGH therapy.
Currently, the global somatropin market is dominated by daily-dose (SRhGH), such as Norditropin, Genotropin, Nutropin/Nutropin AQ, Humatrope, Omnitrope, Tev-Tropin and Saizen. These therapies are developed and marketed by a small number of major pharmaceutical companies. Market research indicates that the global market for HGH therapies is forecast to reach $3.8 billion by 2020.
For more information on the Global human growth hormone market, see the latest research: Global Human Growth Hormone Market
Follow us on Twitter @CandMResearch