World Autism Acceptance Week 2023
Autism Acceptance Week is an annual event held March 27- April 2 in 2023. It aims to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and promote the acceptance and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum. This event is also an opportunity for biotech and pharma companies to showcase their work in ASD research and to promote their efforts to develop effective treatments for ASD patients.
ASD is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is a spectrum disorder, which means that symptoms and severity can vary greatly from person to person. Some ASD individuals may have difficulty with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors. However, others may have exceptional skills in certain areas, such as music, art, or mathematics.
ASD affects approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ASD currently has no cure, and the cause is unclear. However, research in this area has been ongoing for many years. There have been significant advances in our understanding of ASD in recent years.
Biotech and pharma companies are at the forefront of ASD research. They are developing novel treatments and therapies that can help individuals with ASD live fuller and more independent lives. Some of the areas of research that have been particularly promising in recent years include the development of medications to treat ASD core symptoms, such as social interaction difficulties and repetitive behaviors.
In addition to medication, there has been growing interest in alternative therapies for ASD patients. These therapies include music and art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and sensory integration therapy, among others. Many biotech and pharma companies are exploring the potential benefits of these therapies and developing novel approaches to help individuals with ASD.
ASD Statistics: Alarming Rise in Incidence
75 million people, which is around 1% of the world’s population, lives with ASD. The male to female ratio is 1:4.
Since 2000, the prevalence of ASD has increased by 178%. Today, the worldwide prevalence of ASD in children is 1:44, as opposed to 1:150 children in 2000.
Europe reports the lowest rate of ASD diagnoses ASD, while countries with the highest rates are in the West Asian region.
Qatar has the highest prevalence of ASD diagnoses worldwide, whereas France has the lowest. The rate of ASD diagnoses per 10,000 people is approximately 151 in Qatar and 112 in the United Arab Emirates. Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia are at 107, 103, and 101 per 10,000, respectively.
Clinical Trials in ASD
There are currently no treatments or medications that can cure ASD. Yet, scientists are working hard to develop interventions that can improve the symptoms of the disease and make it easier for people with autism and their loved ones to cope. A crucial step in that process is clinical trials.
There are now 419 ongoing clinical trials in ASD according to Clinicaltrials.gov. (recruiting, not yet recruiting, and active, non-recruiting). The top regions in the ASD clinical trials are North America, Europe, and East Asia.
As of January 2022, the US had the most clinical trials for autism, while Canada had the greatest average patient enrollment.
Among the G7 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan), the United States also has the highest proportion of ASD trials among CNS clinical trials.
Institutions, companies, and governments are the three main sponsor types in the market for clinical studies for ASD. The market is dominated by the noncommercial institutional segment.
The leading companies in the ASD clinical trials space are Otsuka Holdings Co Ltd, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, and Autism Speaks Inc.
Cromos Pharma has extensive experience in managing all aspects of clinical trials in neurology, in all phases, including rescue, post-marketing and observational studies. Neurology trials represent a substantial part of the company’s research portfolio.
