Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Introduction of combination therapies: The combination of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors with other antidiabetic drugs is anticipated to offer effective results by achieving better glycemic control and improving patient outcomes. The increasing importance of personalized treatments drives the use of combination therapies to meet individual patient needs. This multifaceted approach is becoming a cornerstone in modern diabetes management further augmenting the overall market growth.
  
  Additionally, the focus on combination therapies in clinical trials is a key factor propelling growth in the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors market.Several trials are investigating novel pairings that can lead to synergistic effects, improving overall treatment efficacy. For instance, in 2019, a Novartis 5-year Phase IV clinical study, VERIFY, in type 2 diabetes compared the long-term efficacy and safety of an early combination treatment strategy with metformin plus vildagliptin (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 [DPP-4] inhibitor) to the traditional stepwise approach with metformin as initial therapy followed by vildagliptin and found positive results. The study's preliminary findings revealed that early intervention with a combination therapy strategy gives larger and longer-lasting benefits to patients.
• High prevalence of diabetes among older population:  Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are well tolerated in the treatment of diabetes in the elderly. Older individuals are more prone to various chronic disorders including diabetes due to several physiological changes such as hormonal imbalance, metabolism, and body composition, which increases the risk of insulin resistance.  For instance, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that the high prevalence rate of diabetes of around 24.4% is among people aged between 75 and 79. As this prevalence rate increases the need for innovative diabetes treatment solutions including alpha-glucosidase inhibitors is expected to boost.

Challenges

• Availability of alternatives: There are numerous alternatives for managing diabetes, which may offer more convenient dosing regimens or broader mechanisms of action. The development of novel medications and therapies can overshadow the traditional use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, potentially leading to a decrease in market share.
• Gastrointestinal side effects: Patients often experience flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, which can lead to discontinuation of the medication. The unpleasant nature of these side effects may discourage adherence, causing patients to seek alternative therapies with better tolerability.