The cardiovascular calcification market is estimated to be valued at USD 125.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 174.6 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2031.

Cardiovascular calcification has been growing in prevalence over the past decade globally. Additionally, the growing adoption of technologically advanced imaging modalities for the diagnosis of cardiovascular calcification is driving the market.

Market Driver - Increasing Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions Linked to Calcification

The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular conditions that are linked with calcification poses a major driver for the growth of the cardiovascular calcification market. Various lifestyle changes such as unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and high levels of stress have significantly contributed to the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases over the past few decades. According to studies, cardiovascular diseases have become one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Many CV conditions involve calcification of the arteries and heart valves over time which can limit blood flow and greatly impact heart function if left untreated.

Calcification often emerges as an underlying complication of other cardiac problems like atherosclerosis, valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease. The prolonged exposure to inflammation and damage increases the risk of calcium deposits developing within the tissues of the cardiovascular system. It has been found that as people age, the level of calcification in their arteries and valves gradually rises. Furthermore, medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and chronic kidney also heighten the risks of abnormal calcification. With populations globally getting older and lifestyle diseases becoming more rampant, it is predictable that cases of calcified cardiovascular structures will keep multiplying in the future.

Market Driver - Combating Cardiac Calcification with Advanced Treatment Options

Considerable efforts are being made by companies to develop more effective therapeutic solutions that can aid in halting or reversing the progression of calcification. Some of the latest approaches gaining interest include calcium-chelating agents, sodium thiosulfate, bisphosphonates and localized drug-delivery therapies. These treatments work by removing excess calcium from tissues using chemical bonding or altering cellular activity and mineralization pathways involved in the calcification process.

Many clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of such emerging anti-calcifying treatments, especially for conditions where current solutions are inadequate. Advancement in cardiac imaging technologies further aids identification and monitoring of calcified lesions. Combined with innovative therapies, improved visualization and localization of calcium deposits is supporting more targeted and minimally invasive procedures.

With persistent R&D focus on decalcifying strategies, availability of superior monitoring and localized treatment options are positively impacting outlook. They offer physicians and patients an advantage in slowing, stopping or possibly reversing the formation of hard, calcium stones in cardiovascular structures. This expands the choice of minimally invasive treatments and supports better management of chronic cardiac problems linked to calcification. Ultimately, it is the development of superior solutions for combating calcification at various stages that will drive adoption and growth prospects for participants in this specialized field.

Market Challenge - High Treatment Costs and Limited Accessibility

One of the key challenges facing the cardiovascular calcification market is the high costs associated with treating cardiovascular conditions. Developing new treatments and therapies to help manage cardiovascular calcification often requires extensive research and clinical trials. This results in high development costs for pharmaceutical and device companies.

Once treatments receive regulatory approval, the costs of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing new treatments also adds to the overall price. As a result, many novel and promising therapies can be costly for healthcare systems and patients. This high economic burden limits widespread adoption and accessibility of treatments, especially in developing countries and for uninsured or underinsured patients.

The high costs of treatments like cardiovascular stents and angioplasty procedures remain out of reach for large populations globally. Increased research into more cost-effective therapies could help address this challenge and expand access to needed care.

Market Opportunity - Growing Demand for Minimally Invasive Treatments

A major opportunity in the cardiovascular calcification market is the growing demand for minimally invasive treatment options. As cardiovascular conditions increase in prevalence worldwide due to aging populations and rising rates of obesity and diabetes, more patients are seeking treatments that reduce recovery times and minimize hospital stays.

Minimally invasive techniques like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to open-heart surgery, as they offer substantial benefits in terms of reduced surgical risks, scarring, and pain for patients. Advancements in areas like catheter-based excimer laser angioplasty also enable clearing of calcified arteries using small catheter devices inserted via small incisions rather than open vascular surgery.

The demand for such minimally invasive treatments is anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years. Device and technology companies focused on developing novel minimally invasive solutions for cardiovascular care can capitalize on this significant market opportunity.

Cardiovascular calcification is a progressive disease that is often treated through multiple lines of therapy. In early stages, lifestyle modifications such as exercise, diet changes, and smoking cessation are typically recommended. Prescribers may also prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. Common statin drugs prescribed include Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), and Simvastatin (Zocor).

As the disease advances, additional medications are often added. For moderate calcification, combination therapy is frequent. Pharmacological options include calcium channel blockers like Amlodipine (Norvasc), ACE inhibitors such as Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers like Losartan (Cozaar). They are commonly layered with a statin to better manage multiple risk factors simultaneously.

For severe, advanced cases, novel anticalcific therapies are gaining traction. These target underlying biologic mechanisms driving calcification. Promising new agents inhibiting proteins like Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) are in late-stage trials. If approved, such specialized treatments like Elinogrel (formerly AZD1656) may reshape the standard of care algorithm, featuring as later line options.

Other factors like comorbid conditions, overall patient risk, insurance coverage and cost also influence physician choices at each line. A holistic understanding of disease burden helps determine optimal, personalized treatment pathways tailored for individual patient needs and priorities.

Cardiovascular calcification occurs in multiple stages with increasing calcium deposition in the arteries over time. The treatment approach varies depending on the stage of the disease.

In early stages of calcification, lifestyle modifications are the first line of treatment to slow progression. This includes a healthy diet low in saturated fats and calcium intake, regular exercise, weight management and smoking cessation. Medications such as statins may be used to lower lipid levels and reduce inflammation.

Moderate calcification is often treated with oral medications in addition to lifestyle changes. Common choices include bisphosphonates like alendronate which inhibit bone resorption and calcium deposition. Cardioprotective drugs like ranolazine help reduce chest pain.

In advanced calcification, invasive procedures may be needed to treat complications. For valvular calcification causing stenosis, valvuloplasty or valve replacement surgeries are gold standards. Coronary artery calcification blocking blood flow requires angioplasty to clear the blockage via ballooning or stenting. For patients ineligible for invasive treatments, newer intravenous drugs like cinacalcet that suppress parathyroid hormone may slow progression.

The choice of treatment depends on individual risk factors, comorbidities, and stage of disease. A multidrug regime combined with lifestyle modifications offers the best approach to delay cardiovascular complications from calcification long-term.

Product innovation: One of the most successful strategies adopted by major players like Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences has been continuous investment in R&D to develop innovative products. For example, in 2018 Medtronic launched the CoreValve Evolut PRO aortic valve system with superior hemodynamics compared to previous versions, helping expand its market share.

Targeted acquisitions: Companies have acquired firms specializing in novel areas to strengthen their portfolio. For example, in 2021 Edwards acquired CASMED to obtain capabilities in non-invasive brain and tissue oxygen monitoring, allowing it to enter new clinical areas. Similarly, Boston Scientific acquired Devoro Medical in 2019 to gain access to their calcification reduction technology. Such acquisitions helped players expand their addressable market.

Geographic expansion: Players like Abbott have increased their presence in high-growth emerging markets like China, India and Latin America through strategic investments and partnerships. For example, Abbott invested $100 million in 2020 to expand its manufacturing plants in India.

Partnerships: Companies have partnered with healthcare systems, physicians and medical research institutes to test and commercialize new therapies. For example, a 2016 collaboration between Medtronic and Duke Clinical Research Institute to study the clinical application of ultrasound technology in guiding transcatheter aortic valve replacements helped accelerate acceptance of such minimal invasive procedures.

Insights, By Therapy Type: Marketed Drugs Contributes the Highest Market Share Owing to Established Safety and Efficacy

The marketed drugs segment contributes the highest share to the cardiovascular calcification market due to the established safety and efficacy of these therapies. Drugs that fall under this segment have already received regulatory approval after going through extensive clinical testing. Their long-term usage and large patient base have allowed physicians to better understand treatment outcomes and side effect profiles. This translates to confidence in prescription among doctors for patients diagnosed with cardiovascular calcification. Additionally, many of these drugs have been available for decades and have a well-established set of guidelines regarding their clinical use. This facilitates their integration into standard treatment pathways.

Moreover, several leading pharmaceutical companies offer generic versions of such medications after patents expire, improving accessibility and helping more patients benefit. Their widespread adoption and entrenchment in clinical practice algorithms have enabled the marketed drugs segment to dominate the overall cardiovascular calcification market landscape.

The major players operating in the Cardiovascular Calcification Market include Sanifit, Inositec, Sanofi, and Dong-A ST.

• In January 2023, Sanifit - a Spanish biopharmaceutical company - announced that it has intensified its focus on developing novel calcification inhibitors in late-stage trials. Their lead compound, SNF472, is a novel calcification inhibitor aimed at treating cardiovascular calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. As of January 2023, SNF472 was in late-stage clinical trials (specifically Phase III trials). The drug has shown promise in reducing the progression of cardiovascular calcification, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity.
• In March 2023, Inositec - a Swiss biotech company - make announcements about progressed Phase II trials of their lead candidate targeting vascular calcification. Their lead candidate, often referred to in earlier stages as INS-3001, was primarily in preclinical or early clinical development stages.

• By Therapy Type
  • Marketed Drugs
  • Emerging Drugs