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June 8, 2024 — A new report highlights the significant impact climate change is likely to have on the rise of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases, underscoring the urgent need for more effective treatment approaches. According to the report released on Friday by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, climate change could intensify MS symptoms and increase the prevalence of the disease.
Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affects approximately 2.8 million people worldwide. It occurs when the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells, causing progressive nerve damage and debilitating symptoms.
The GlobalData report aligns with a June 2024 literature review published in The Lancet Neurology, which suggests that climate change can exacerbate MS symptoms. Rising global temperatures and more frequent weather fluctuations could trigger more frequent and severe MS flare-ups, the literature review indicates.
The report anticipates a notable increase in both the prevalence and severity of MS, driving the need for new and improved treatment options. Current MS treatments primarily focus on slowing disease progression through disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). However, the projected climate-related exacerbations of MS symptoms demand the development of novel and more effective DMTs.
Sales for MS DMTs are forecasted to grow to $30.1 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2020 to 2030. Jos Opdenakker, a Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, emphasized the necessity of advancing MS treatments to manage the disease in the context of climate change.
“Climate change-related exacerbations of MS will necessitate the development of novel, more effective DMTs as disease flare-ups become more frequent with fluctuating temperatures,” Opdenakker stated.
Currently, there are two ongoing Phase III clinical trials evaluating new treatments for relapsing MS. Novartis’s remibrutinib and Genentech’s fenebrutinib are being tested against Sanofi’s Aubagio (teriflunomide), the standard of care. These trials reflect the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to developing more potent DMTs to address the escalating severity of MS symptoms driven by climate change.
“These trials signify pharmaceutical companies’ interest in developing more effective DMTs, as the severity of MS symptoms is getting magnified due to climate change, a potential driver of growth in the MS market,” Opdenakker explained.
As research progresses and new health policies are developed, the introduction of more effective DMTs could serve as a critical defense for MS patients against the adverse effects of climate change. Opdenakker stressed the importance of forming a comprehensive strategy to manage MS in the face of climate change.
The evolving landscape of MS treatment underscores the need for continued innovation and a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by a changing climate.
