Japan RNA Therapeutics Market Assessment, By Type, By Product, By Indication, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

Japan RNA therapeutics market is projected to witness a CAGR of 10.52% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, growing from USD 1,403.91 million in FY2024 to USD 3,123.58 million in FY2032. Rising research activities by various universities support the market's growth, the introduction of supportive government measures, increasing issuance of patents, and rising collaborations between market players and regional companies. Due to the rapid expansion of the aging population in Japan, the country is becoming more aware of medical developments and health challenges and adopting novel technologies. According to estimates from the World Economic Forum, over 1 in 10 people in Japan are 80 or older.

The increasing efforts to bolster the development and availability of personalized medicines in the country are also propelling the Japan RNA therapeutics market. In July 2024, LSI Medience Corporation and ACT Genomics Co. Ltd., one of the leaders in cancer genomic profiling, announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the Japanese market. The partnership is expected to significantly contribute to the advancements of personalized medicines in Japan. It is initially going to focus on the integration of genomic profiling in research practices and provide researchers with personalized information. Such collaborations are expected to propel the Japan RNA therapeutics market.

Additionally, the rising cases of chronic diseases in the country are also supporting the market's expansion. The RNA-binding proteins usually bind with multiple transcripts, thus targeting ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) hold promise for delivering effective treatment solutions for systemic diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders, among others, where an intricate role is played by RNA-binding proteins across diverse transcripts.

Furthermore, the growing popularity of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines is also bolstering the demand for Japan RNA therapeutics. Over the past few years, mRNA vaccines have shown significant potential by ensuring the rapid development of targeted vaccines for infectious diseases. Furthermore, their modular nature allows them to adapt easily to different pathogens by simply conducting alterations in the mRNA sequence that encodes the desired antigen. The growing awareness about such advantages associated with mRNA vaccines is bolstering their demand and investments towards research activities, positively influencing the market's expansion.

Supportive Government Measures Boost Market Expansion

The growing efforts of the government of Japan to support the development and availability of RNA therapeutics in the country are propelling the market's expansion. The government also provides grants to boost mRNA therapeutics and vaccine production. In August 2023, the government awarded USD 115 million in two separate grants to ARCALIS Inc., the manufacturing joint venture of Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. in Japan. The grants would be used to fund the mRNA drug product operations and the production of mRNA drug substances by allowing the purchase of capital equipment to support current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and the construction of a factory. Such efforts are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the coming years and bolster the availability of therapeutics that offer greater durability and high levels of efficacy.

Rising Issuance of Patents Supports Market Growth

The increasing issue of patents for nucleic acid extraction technologies for various companies in Japan is also expected to bolster the growth of the market. In March 2023, BioEcho Life Sciences GmbH, one of the leading biotechnology companies announced the issuance of two new patents by the Japan Patent Office, covering their EchoLUTION technology for extraction of nucleic acids. The EchoLUTION technology allows for the extraction of RNA and DNA in a single centrifugation step, resulting in the availability of inhibitor-free and high-quality RNA and DNA that is ready for downstream applications. Such patents aid in strengthening a company's intellectual property portfolio and foster innovations to ensure the availability of novel technologies. The issuance is also expected to transform different processes in biopharmaceutical research, molecular diagnostics, academics, and animal and plant breeding.

mRNA Therapeutics Account for Major Market Share

The rapid advancements in molecular medicine and biotechnology have bolstered the therapeutic applications of mRNA. mRNA is transcribed from a DNA strand, carrying coding information necessary for the synthesis of proteins so that it can be further processed and transcribed into functional proteins. The rising research activities by leading universities in the country is also expected to aid the segment's expansion. In March 2024, a team of researchers from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) announced that they had successfully developed a new method for chemically modifying engineered mRNA molecules, advancing mRNA therapeutic technologies and allowing greater control of the biological functions of RNA molecules. The mRNA technology holds significant potential for developing novel cancer vaccines and treatments and for treating a wide range of diseases that had earlier been deemed incurable. The development of such innovative techniques is expected to ensure significant advancements in the therapeutic applications of mRNA polyplexes.

Vaccine Segment Holds Major Market Share

mRNA vaccines introduce a piece of mRNA corresponding to the viral protein. The immune system produces antibodies as it recognizes the protein as a foreign substance, as part of a normal immune response. Antibodies aid in protecting the host against infections by recognizing individual pathogens and viruses and marking them for destruction. Upon production, the antibodies stay in the body even after the pathogen has been eliminated from the body, allowing the immune system to respond quickly in case of future exposures.

The rising approvals for RNA vaccines in Japan are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market in the coming years. In November 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan approved the first self-amplifying mRNA vaccine that Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. and CSL developed. Such approvals are expected to influence the market's expansion in the coming years positively.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025-FY2032F)

As per the Japan RNA therapeutics market analysis, the evolving requirements of the patient population in Japan due to the country's rapid aging and rising cases of chronic diseases are expected to bolster the demand for RNA therapeutics in Japan. The proven applications of RNAi in rare diseases, along with new developments that aid in targeting cancer, are also expected to positively influence the market's expansion.

Additionally, various research studies are also underway to evaluate the working and efficacy of different RNA therapeutics. For instance, Gilead Sciences, Inc. is conducting an interventional study to evaluate the antiviral activity of lenacapavir in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) with multi-drug resistance. The study is expected to conclude in January 2027. Such studies are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Increasing collaborations between leading market players and regional companies are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market. In July 2024, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Moderna, Inc. announced that they have entered into an agreement to promote latter's mRNA respiratory vaccine portfolio in the country. Under the agreement, both companies are going to engage in various activities to ensure the availability of Moderna's mRNA portfolio and make an impact on Japan's public health. The initial term of the agreement was listed on March 31, 2029. Such partnerships are expected to contribute towards enhancing the country's pharmaceutical sector and public health.