Giant-Cell Arteritis - Market Insights, Epidemiology & Forecast to 2036 | Steroid-Sparing Therapies Reshape GCA Care
Dublin, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Giant-Cell Arteritis - Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2036" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the GCA market, patient population, treatment landscape, competitive environment, and commercial opportunities across the seven major markets. The geographic coverage includes the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Giant cell arteritis is a heterogeneous systemic vasculitic disorder that primarily affects adults aged 50 years and older. Common clinical manifestations include new-onset temporal headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, constitutional symptoms, and visual disturbances, including transient or permanent vision loss. Involvement of the aorta and its major branches may cause limb claudication, aneurysm, dissection, or other serious vascular complications.
Polymyalgia rheumatica is closely associated with GCA. Approximately 15% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica develop GCA, while about half of patients with GCA experience polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms. Epidemiological studies also indicate that large-vessel involvement may occur in a substantial proportion of patients and can remain clinically silent without advanced imaging.
Giant Cell Arteritis Diagnosis and Treatment Landscape
GCA diagnosis combines clinical evaluation, inflammatory markers, temporal artery biopsy, and vascular imaging. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein support clinical assessment, while temporal artery biopsy remains an important confirmatory procedure. Vascular ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography are increasingly used to identify cranial and extracranial arterial involvement. Greater use of imaging has improved early detection and increased recognition of previously underdiagnosed disease phenotypes.
Rapid treatment is essential because ischemic complications, particularly vision loss, may be irreversible. High-dose glucocorticoids remain central to first-line management and are generally initiated when GCA is strongly suspected rather than delayed pending biopsy confirmation. Intravenous methylprednisolone may be considered for patients presenting with acute visual symptoms or other severe ischemic manifestations.
Long-term corticosteroid exposure is associated with osteoporosis, diabetes, infection, cardiovascular complications, and other clinically significant adverse effects. High relapse rates during dose reduction have intensified demand for steroid-sparing GCA therapies that can sustain remission while reducing cumulative glucocorticoid use.
Tocilizumab, marketed as ACTEMRA by Roche, established interleukin-6 receptor inhibition as a targeted treatment strategy for GCA. The therapy has demonstrated sustained remission and reduced corticosteroid exposure and is used with a glucocorticoid taper. Upadacitinib, marketed as RINVOQ by AbbVie, subsequently expanded the GCA treatment landscape following regulatory approvals in the United States and European Union. Its approval introduced an oral Janus kinase inhibitor option for eligible adults with GCA.
Giant Cell Arteritis Epidemiology and Market Growth Drivers
GCA is the most common primary systemic vasculitis among adults older than 50 years. Disease incidence increases significantly with age, with the greatest burden generally observed among people aged 70-80 years. Women are affected approximately two to three times more frequently than men, and higher incidence rates have historically been reported among populations of Northern European ancestry.
Geographic variation remains considerable. Northern European and North American markets report a comparatively high disease burden, while lower incidence has generally been observed in Southern Europe and Asian populations. Genetic susceptibility, environmental influences, clinical awareness, referral practices, and access to diagnostic imaging may contribute to these differences.
Growth in the giant cell arteritis therapeutics market is expected to be supported by ageing populations, improving diagnosis rates, broader use of advanced imaging, longer treatment duration, and increasing adoption of steroid-sparing therapies. The transition from prolonged corticosteroid dependence toward targeted immunomodulatory treatment represents a significant change in the GCA treatment paradigm.
GCA Market Outlook and Competitive Landscape
The report assesses historical and forecast GCA market performance from 2022 through 2036, including market size, therapy-level revenue, patient share, treatment uptake, pricing trends, and regional growth. It also evaluates standards of care, treatment algorithms, market access considerations, and the commercial positioning of approved and emerging therapies.
The current targeted treatment market is led by Roche and AbbVie. Tocilizumab maintains an established role in steroid-sparing GCA management, although biosimilar competition is influencing market dynamics, particularly in Europe. Upadacitinib is expected to support further market development through its oral administration and differentiated mechanism.
Recent industry developments include European Commission approval of Gedeon Richter's tocilizumab biosimilar Tuyory in intravenous and subcutaneous formulations and the US launch of Celltrion's subcutaneous Avtozma formulation. In contrast, Novartis' secukinumab did not achieve the primary endpoint of sustained remission at Week 52 in the Phase III GCAptAIN trial. These developments illustrate both the commercial potential and clinical development challenges within the GCA market.
The late-stage GCA pipeline remains limited. Mavrilimumab previously demonstrated encouraging Phase II activity, but further development was not advanced by Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals following a shift in corporate priorities. The discontinuation of secukinumab development in GCA further underscores the need for therapies capable of delivering durable remission, acceptable safety, and clinically meaningful corticosteroid-sparing benefits.
Key Unmet Needs in Giant Cell Arteritis
Report Coverage and Strategic Insights
The GCA market report includes an epidemiology-based, bottom-up forecast of diagnosed patient populations and treatment-eligible groups across the seven major markets. It examines disease incidence, prevalence, age and sex distribution, diagnostic trends, therapy adoption, peak patient share, revenue potential, and market attractiveness.
The competitive assessment reviews approved therapies and Phase I-III pipeline candidates, including mechanisms of action, clinical trial results, regulatory milestones, patents, licensing agreements, collaborations, and strategic partnerships. Pricing and analogue analysis evaluates how treatment cost, reimbursement, administration route, and market access may influence adoption and long-term commercial performance.
Primary research incorporates perspectives from key opinion leaders and subject-matter experts across major treatment centers. These insights help validate epidemiological assumptions, prescribing patterns, treatment switching, patient adherence, access barriers, and expectations for emerging therapies. SWOT and conjoint analyses further assess therapeutic profiles based on efficacy, safety, administration frequency, route of administration, order of market entry, probability of success, and addressable patient population.
Key Report Benefits
Giant Cell Arteritis Market Outlook Through 2036
The GCA market is expected to evolve steadily as diagnosis improves and targeted treatment becomes more widely adopted. Corticosteroids will remain essential for rapid disease control, but their long-term toxicity will continue to support demand for biologic and oral steroid-sparing therapies. Tocilizumab and upadacitinib are positioned to drive targeted therapy uptake, while biosimilar competition may reshape pricing and access.
Despite recent regulatory progress, the limited advanced pipeline leaves substantial room for next-generation GCA treatments. Companies capable of delivering sustained remission, reduced relapse risk, improved safety, and lower corticosteroid exposure may secure meaningful opportunities across the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The report equips pharmaceutical companies, investors, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders with the evidence required to evaluate these opportunities and develop informed strategies for the global giant cell arteritis market.
Key Topics Covered
1. Key Insights
2. Report Introduction
3. Executive Summary
4. Key Events
4.1. Upcoming Key Catalysts
4.2. Key Conferences And Meetings
4.3. Key Transactions And Collaborations
4.4. News Flow
5. Epidemiology and Market Methodology of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
6. Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Market Overview at a Glance
6.1. Clinical Landscape Analysis (By Molecule Type, Phase, and Route of Administration [ROA])
6.2. Market Share of GCA By Therapies (%) in the 7MM in 2025
6.3. Market Share of GCA By Therapies (%) in the 7MM in 2036
7. Disease Background And Overview of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Causes
7.3. Pathophysiology
7.4. Symptoms
7.5. Diagnosis
7.5.1. Diagnostic Algorithm
7.5.2. Diagnostic Guidelines
7.6. Treatment and Management of GCA
7.6.1. Treatment Algorithm
7.6.2. Treatment and Management Guidelines
8. Epidemiology and Patient Population of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
8.1. Key Findings
8.2. Assumptions and Rationale: The 7MM
8.2.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA
8.3. The US
8.3.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US
8.3.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases in the US
8.3.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US
8.3.4. Total Treated Cases of GCA in the US
8.4. EU4 and the UK
8.4.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US in EU4 and the UK
8.4.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases in the US in EU4 and the UK
8.4.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US in EU4 and the UK
8.4.4. Total Treated Cases of GCA in the US in EU4 and the UK
8.5. Japan
8.5.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US in Japan
8.5.2. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases in the US in Japan
8.5.3. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GCA in the US in Japan
8.5.4. Total Treated Cases of GCA in the US in Japan
9. Patient Journey of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
10. Marketed Therapies
10.1. Marketed Competitive Landscape of GCA
10.2. Upadacitinib (RINVOQ): AbbVie
10.2.1. Product Description
10.2.2. Regulatory Milestones
10.2.3. Other Developmental Activities
10.2.4. Summary of Pivotal Trials
10.2.5. Analyst's View
To be continued in the report.
12. Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): Seven Major Market Analysis
12.1. Key Findings
12.2. Market Outlook
12.3. Conjoint Analysis
12.4. Key Market Forecast Assumptions
12.4.1. Cost Assumptions
12.4.2. Pricing Trends
12.4.3. Analogue Assessment
12.4.4. Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes
12.5. Total Market Size of GCA in the 7MM
12.6. The United States Market Size
12.6.1. Total Market Size of GCA in the United States
12.6.2. Market Size of GCA by Therapies in the United States
12.7. EU4 and the UK Market Size
12.7.1. Total Market Size of GCA in EU4 and the UK
12.7.2. Market Size of GCA by Therapies in EU4 and the UK
12.8. Japan Market Size
12.8.1. Total Market Size of GCA in Japan
12.8.2. Market Size of GCA by Therapies in Japan
13. Unmet Needs of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
14. SWOT Analysis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
15. KOL Views of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
15.1. Expert/KOL Interview Highlights
16. Market Access and Reimbursement
16.1. United States
16.1.1. Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
16.2. EU4 and the UK
16.2.1. Germany
16.2.2. France
16.2.3. Italy
16.2.4. Spain
16.2.5. United Kingdom
16.3. Japan
16.4. Summary and comparison of Market Access and Pricing Policy Developments in 2025
16.5. Market Access and Reimbursement of GCA Therapies
17. Appendix
17.1. Bibliography
17.2. Report Methodology
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hgz716
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