Market Size

The Japan CAR-T cell therapies market reached US$ 346.00 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 1,350.15 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.3% during the forecast period 2025-2033.

CAR-T cell therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, is an advanced immunotherapy used primarily in cancer treatment. It involves engineering a patient's T cells, a type of immune cell, by modifying them to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that allows these cells to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy has been particularly effective for certain blood cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and certain types of lymphoma.

However, research is ongoing to adapt this approach for solid tumors, which have different challenges, like a more suppressive tumor microenvironment that can limit CAR-T cell effectiveness. The demand for CAR-T cell therapy is growing rapidly, driven by its potential to treat advanced blood cancers and its ability to deliver personalized treatment outcomes.

 

Market Dynamics: Drivers & Restraints

Rising Incidence of Hematological Cancers

The rising incidence of hematological cancers in Japan, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma, is expected to significantly drive the growth of the country’s CAR-T cell therapy market. As Japan’s population continues to age, the prevalence of these blood-related cancers has been steadily increasing, creating a greater need for advanced and effective treatment options. For instance, according to the data provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, around 6,988 new cases of multiple myeloma were reported in Japan in 2022. By 2025, the number is expected to reach 7,350. Also, it is estimated that the incidence of multiple myeloma in Japan is expected to reach 7,535 by 2030.

Traditional therapies often have limited success in relapsed or refractory cases, which is raising the demand for innovative solutions like CAR-T cell therapy. This cutting-edge approach, which involves reprogramming a patient’s immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells, offers new hope for patients who have exhausted standard treatments. As awareness grows and regulatory support strengthens, as seen with recent approvals like CARVYKTI, Japan is poised to become a key market for CAR-T cell therapies in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, the above factors are driving the market growth.

High Costs of Therapy

The high cost of CAR-T cell therapy significantly hampers its market growth by limiting accessibility and affordability for patients and healthcare systems. The cost barrier restricts patient access, especially in countries without comprehensive reimbursement frameworks, and limits the therapy's market penetration. Many healthcare providers and insurers hesitate to cover CAR-T cell therapy due to the lack of long-term cost-benefit data, thus constraining its adoption despite clinical efficacy.

Market Segment Analysis

The Japan CAR-T cell therapies market is segmented based on the therapy type, drug type, target antigen, and application.

Multiple myeloma  in the application segment is expected to dominate the CAR-T cell therapies market

Multiple myeloma is projected to lead the application segment of Japan's CAR-T cell therapy market, driven by the rising number of cancer cases, increasing approval and launch activities from key industry players. For instance, in September 2022, Legend Biotech Corporation, a global biotechnology company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative therapies for life-threatening diseases, announced that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) had approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel). This BCMA-targeted CAR-T cell therapy is now approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. 

Additionally, in December 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb's idecabtagene vicleucel was approved in Japan for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least two prior lines of therapy. The approval was supported by results from the phase 3 KarMMA-3 trial, which showed significant improvements in progression-free survival and objective response rates compared to standard therapies.

These developments underscore the growing focus on multiple myeloma within Japan's CAR-T therapy market. The increasing availability of approved CAR-T treatments is expected to meet the rising demand for effective therapies, solidifying multiple myeloma as a dominant application area in this market segment.

 

Market Players

The market players in the CAR-T cell therapies market are Gilead Sciences, Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., and Novartis AG, among others.

 

Metrics Details
CAGR 16.3%
Market Size Available for Years 2022-2033
Estimation Forecast Period 2025-2033
Revenue Units Value (US$ Mn) 
  Therapy Type Autologous CAR-T Cell Therapy, Allogeneic CAR-T Cell Therapy
  Drug Type Abecma, Breyanzi, Carvykti, Tecartus, Kymriah, Yescarta
Segments Covered Target Antigen CD19, BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen), CD20, CD22, CD30, Others
  Application Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma (MM), Follicular Lymphoma, Others

Key Developments

  • In April 2024, Johnson & Johnson announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and are refractory to lenalidomide.
  • In January 2024, Bristol Myers Squibb announced three regulatory acceptances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel).
  • In April 2023, Takara Bio Inc. submitted a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) to Health Canada and the receipt of the No Objection Letter to initiate a Phase I/Ib clinical trial for CD19 JAK/STAT CAR-T therapy (TBI-2001). Once the necessary steps are taken, the investigator-initiated clinical trial will be started for patients with CD19-positive B-cell lymphoma.

 

Why Purchase the Report?

  • Pipeline & Innovations: Reviews ongoing clinical trials, and product pipelines, and forecasts upcoming pharmaceutical advancements.
  • Type Performance & Market Positioning: Analyzes product performance, market positioning, and growth potential to optimize strategies.
  • Real-World Evidence: Integrates patient feedback and data into product development for improved outcomes.
  • Physician Preferences & Health System Impact: Examines healthcare provider behaviors and the impact of health system mergers on adoption strategies.
  • Market Updates & Industry Changes: Covers recent regulatory changes, new policies, and emerging technologies.
  • Competitive Strategies: Analyzes competitor strategies, market share, and emerging players.
  • Pricing & Market Access: Reviews pricing models, reimbursement trends, and market access strategies.
  • Market Entry & Expansion: Identifies optimal strategies for entering new markets and partnerships.
  • Supply Chain Optimization: Assesses supply chain risks and distribution strategies for efficient Type delivery.
  • Sustainability & Regulatory Impact: Focuses on eco-friendly practices and evolving regulations in healthcare.
  • Post-market Surveillance: Uses post-market data to enhance product safety and access.
  • Pharmacoeconomics & Value-Based Pricing: Analyzes the shift to value-based pricing and data-driven decision-making in R&D.

 

The Japan CAR-T cell therapies market report would provide approximately 42 tables, 33 figures, and 180 pages.

 

Target Audience 2024

  • Manufacturers: Pharmaceutical, Biotech Companies, Contract Manufacturers, Distributors, Hospitals.
  • Regulatory & Policy: Compliance Officers, Government, Health Economists, Market Access Specialists.
  • Technology & Innovation: R&D Professionals, Clinical Trial Managers, Pharmacovigilance Experts.
  • Investors: Healthcare Investors, Venture Fund Investors, Pharma Marketing & Sales.
  • Consulting & Advisory: Healthcare Consultants, Industry Associations, Analysts.
  • Supply Chain: Distribution and Supply Chain Managers.
  • Consumers & Advocacy: Patients, Advocacy Groups, Insurance Companies.
  • Academic & Research: Academic Institutions.