By Although India, Japan and Mexico are among the top three countries reporting this dermatological condition, its prevalence may be much higher than the figures indicate, because vitiligo often goes unreported. Low patient awareness, misconceptions and inadequate messaging by the industry could be the reasons for this.
Vitiligo occurs when the cells of the immune system mistake healthy melanocytes – pigment cells that help to give skin its colour, for foreign pathogens and attack them. This autoimmune disease manifests as pale white patches on the face, torso and limbs of those who are affected.
Hope on the horizon, for people with vitiligo
Despite the high incidence of vitiligo and the physiological and psychological damage caused by it, for decades, research on this condition and its treatment has been insufficient. However, in more recent years the pharmaceutical industry has developed multiple remedies to treat this Melanocyte dysfunction.
Repigmentation is a much sought-after option, wherein the patient is treated with repigmenting agents that promote migration of skin cells from the area of skin surrounding the vitiligo patch. This in turn causes the production of melanin, a skin-darkening pigment and restores the skin colour. Some of the other treatment options include topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors, dietary supplements, camouflaging creams, sun protection applications, light therapy, gene therapy, oral therapeutics and even skin grafts. Patients with vitiligo now have a wide range of treatment options to choose from, depending on the course of action recommended by their consulting physician.
Vitiligo research and treatment landscape
Ground-breaking research and innovative breakthroughs have reshaped the market and forecast potential avenues of growth and evolution in the coming years. Investment in vitiligo treatments is on the rise, reflecting a growing global focus on managing this condition, not just for cosmetic reasons, but also to offer a panacea to patients who have undergone psychosocial trauma.
According to Industry Insights’ latest Market Growth Report, the vitiligo treatment market size was valued at US$ 1529.97 million in 2024 and will increase to US$ 2832.16 million in 2031, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.81% during 2024-2031.
This growth can be attributed to several factors such as advancements in immunomodulatory therapies, increased funding for research, rising global sensitivity to dermatological conditions, the increasing adoption of combination therapies, improved infrastructure for research, development in dermatology, enhanced patient awareness, and last but not the least, a patient-centric approach by the industry.
Treatment of vitiligo can be an uphill task, but with promising new remedies emerging, hope for patients is increasing. Although a complete cure for the condition is still in the making, there are several emerging new treatment options for patients.
—The author, Alok Malik, is President and Head – India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The views expressed are personal.
