Overview
The plaque psoriasis treatment market size addresses a chronic, autoimmune skin condition characterized by red, scaly plaques. As of 2024, approximately 128.64 million people globally were affected by plaque psoriasis—a figure expected to rise to 172.88 million by 2034, growing at a 3.00% CAGR . The expanding patient population and advanced therapies are transforming the landscape of care, making this market increasingly significant in global healthcare.
Market Size & Share Analysis
Patient Prevalence
-
128.64 million affected in 2024, projected to reach 172.88 million by 2034.
-
Alert: up to 90% of psoriasis cases are of the plaque type; in the U.S., around 6.8 million Americans live with.
Treatment Market Value
-
The broader psoriasis treatment market size reached approximately USD 27.2 billion in 2024, with expectations to surge beyond USD 57 billion by 2032 at ~10.2% CAGR.
-
Leading submarkets, such as biologics, are growing between 8–10% annually.
Regional Shares
-
North America holds a dominant share (~42% of the treatment market) driven by high biologics uptake and teledermatology expansion .
-
Europe and Asia-Pacific are following with dynamic growth on the back of increasing healthcare access.
Market Dynamics & Key Trends
Driving Forces
-
Rising Patient Base: Doubling of plaque psoriasis cases by 2034.
-
Lifestyle & Environmental Factors: Obesity, smoking, and UV exposure aggravate disease prevalence .
-
Technological Advances: New topical (e.g. tapinarof), oral (e.g. deucravacitinib), and biologic therapies are targeting immune pathways.
-
Regulatory Support: Faster approvals for novel drug classes like JAK and IL-23 inhibitors.
-
Digital & Remote Care: Telehealth and AI-powered platforms (e.g., generative AI) support diagnostics and personalized treatment.
Emerging Patterns
-
Next-generation Biologics: Dual IL-17A/F inhibitors (bimekizumab), IL-23 agents (risankizumab, ustekinumab biosimilars).
-
Topicals with New MOA: Tapinarof—FDA-approved AHR agonist.
-
Oral Targeted Therapies: Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) and pipeline molecules like icotrokinra.
-
Combination Topicals: Duobrii (halobetasol/tazarotene) simplifying mild-to-moderate treatment.
-
Nanotechnology & Personalized Treatment: Preclinical research explores nanoparticle-based topicals for enhanced efficacy .
-
Biosimilar Entry: Stelara biosimilars like Selarsdi by Teva enhance access and affordability.
For more information about this report visit
Growth Drivers & Forecast
-
Projected 3.00% rise in prevalence adds millions of new cases by 2034.
-
The market is expected to expand faster than prevalence due to utilization of costlier biologics and new modalities.
-
CAGR consistency (~10% in treatment revenue, ~9% in plaque subtype) is supported by greater adoption of advanced therapies and pipeline innovations.
Opportunities & Challenges
Opportunities
-
Global Access Expansion: Rising incomes and telehealth in emerging economies support biologic penetration.
-
Topical Alternatives: Patient-friendly topicals cater to mild/moderate cases, especially pediatric and elderly.
-
Biosimilar Access: Lower-cost biologic alternatives widen treatment access.
-
AI & Digital Health: Personalized care via AI-supported diagnostics and teledermatology.
-
Early Intervention: Preventive treatment in early or mild cases may reduce long-term burden.
Challenges
-
High Treatment Costs: Price of biologics remains a barrier for patients and payers.
-
Adherence Issues: Chronic, long-term treatment leads to inconsistent use.
-
Adverse Effects: Safety monitoring needed for systemic and immune-targeted therapies.
-
Regulatory Heterogeneity: Global approvals and pricing vary widely, complicating rollouts.
-
Physician Shortage: Dermatology workforce gaps limit patient access globally.
Recent Developments
-
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, a specialty dermatology biotech, saw notable stock growth in 2024 due to launches like Zoryve (topical roflumilast).
-
Johnson & Johnson’s oral IL-23 inhibitor icotrokinra showed strong results in Phase III trials and moves to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
-
Teva & Alvotech FDA approval of Selarsdi provides a biosimilar alternative to Stelara from early 2025.
-
Bimekizumab (Bimzelx) received FDA approval in October 2023, offering dual IL-17A/F inhibition.
-
Ustekinumab biosimilars (Wezlana etc.) gained EU and North American approvals in 2023–2024.
-
FDA approval of Tapinarof (Vtama), a first-in-class topical AHR agonist, marked a major step in non-steroidal treatments.
Competitive Landscape
Leading biologic and small molecule companies and their key assets:
-
Pfizer Inc. – Topical and systemic products, historically focused on immune-targeted agents.
-
AbbVie Inc. – Market leader with Humira and Skyrizi (risankizumab); strong IL-23 focus.
-
Novartis AG – Combines Cosentyx (IL-17A) with ongoing R&D.
-
Amgen Inc. – IL-17 inhibitors (like Enbrel biosimilars) and emerging pipeline agents.
-
Boehringer Ingelheim – Specialty inflammation therapeutics expanding into dermatology.
-
Merck & Co. – Oral agents like apremilast and strategic pipeline extensions.
-
Sun Pharma & Cipla Inc. – Generics and branded creams increasing global distribution.
-
Teva Pharmaceuticals – Biosimilars (Stelara), expanding biologic franchise.
-
AstraZeneca – Early dermatology pipeline, building targeted therapeutics.
-
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, UCB S.A., LEO Pharma, Stiefel, Rowan Bioceuticals, Glenmark, Win-Medicare, Sanofi – Expanding topicals, generics, and global portfolio for mild/moderate patient populations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is plaque psoriasis?
A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by raised, red, scaly skin patches, accounting for ~90% of psoriasis cases.
How many people were affected in 2024?
Approximately 128.64 million, expected to rise to 172.88 million by 2034.
What is driving treatment market growth?
Rising prevalence, increased biologic use, new oral/topical approvals, better awareness, biosimilars, and digital solutions.
Which drugs are key in the pipeline?
Innovative agents like Tapinarof, Deucravacitinib, Icotrokinra, Bimekizumab, biosimilars (Selarsdi) and oral JAK/TYK2 inhibitors.
Who are the major players?
Key global players: AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, Amgen, Merck, Teva, AstraZeneca, and specialty firms like Arcutis, UCB, LEO Pharma.
What challenges exist in plaque psoriasis treatment?
High cost of advanced therapies, inconsistent treatment adherence, adverse effects, and heterogeneous global regulations.
The plaque psoriasis treatment market is poised for sustained growth fueled by increasing global disease burden and rapid innovation in therapeutics. With nearly 129 million cases in 2024 rising to an estimated 173 million by 2034, this market offers robust opportunities across biologics, orals, topicals, and biosimilars.
Companies that address affordability through biosimilars, innovate with non-steroidal topicals, and leverage AI/digital health for optimized patient care are best positioned to lead. With CAGR in the 8–10% range, the coming decade will see this market evolve into a highly advanced, patient-centric, and accessible therapeutic ecosystem.
Find More Report:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV 1) Infection Drug Pipeline Analysis size