The coronavirus disease is caused due to the contagious virus being spread between two individuals within one meter. An individual can be infected with aerosol droplets which contain the virus. Numerous therapeutic approaches have been investigated, one of them being the emerging exosome-based therapeutics. The exosomes are nano-sized, lipid bilayer-enclosed structures, which exhibit similar structural similarities with viruses secreted from all types of cells.
The SARS-CoV-2 modulates the production and composition of exosomes and can exploit exosome formation, secretion, and release pathways to promote infection, transmission, and intercellular spread. Exosomes have been implemented for therapeutic benefits in patients afflicted with various diseases, including COVID-19. The exosomes, mainly derived from mesenchymal stem cells, reduce cytokine production, reverse the inhibition of host anti-viral defenses associated with COVID-19, and enhance mitochondrial function repair lung injuries. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has jump-started research into exosome-based therapeutics.
IMPACT ON PRICE
The manufacturers who develop exogenous and autologous exosomes are trying to reduce the cost of the therapeutics. The price of the material used and the developments incurred in the exosome therapeutics would increase the number of manufacturing units, and more workforce and human resources required them to develop non-invasive pulmonary function testing devices. However, the price of the material used and the consequences of the development incurred in the pulmonary function testing systems and services would increase the number of manufacturing units and more workforce and human resources required for the development of exosome therapeutics for the delivery of small drugs and macromolecules.
For instance,
- In the U.S., the cost for treatment with exosome therapeutics would be between USD 3,500 to USD 6,500. The most common price point is around USD 4,900. These exosome therapies are either delivered by intravenous infusion for chronic or systemic (full-body) conditions
- The cost of intravenous exosome therapy would be in the range of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000
The rise in the development and production of exosome therapeutics has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, negative growth would be depicted.
IMPACT ON DEMAND
The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the demand to use the mesenchymal –stem cell-derived exosome therapeutics. The evolving COVID-19 pandemic has caused the manufacturers to arrange the collaboration with manufacturers for the use of exosome therapeutics for its use in oncology centers and diagnostic laboratories. Due to the ongoing clinical trials of the therapeutics and the endless pandemic complexities, it is crucial yet challenging to develop robust logistics to provide sufficient and efficient MSCs and exosomes as their products in a consistent manner. The impact of COVID-19 would increase the mandated use of exosome therapeutics the treat autoimmune disorders.
For instance:
- In 2020, there has been an increased demand for the use of mesenchymal stem cells, by AVALON GLOBOCARE CORP
Within the pharmaceutical and the healthcare domain, there has been increased concern regarding the level of infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating fast, it has raised pressure for the gas exchange pulmonary test manufacturers in Europe to test the lung volume and intake of oxygen. Hence the demand for the global exosome therapeutics market would increase during the pandemic.
IMPACT ON SUPPLY CHAIN
The COVID-19 scenario has disrupted the entire supply chain and logistics department. The speed, resilience, and reliability describe the workforce of a company’s supply chain management system. In the face of the recent coronavirus outbreak, the slow working of the supply chain has caused acute shortages for instruments of gas distribution and diffusion capacity. The supply chains have slowly resumed following the restrictions in North America and Europe's emerging states. Fresh outbreaks of the virus can impede or even temporarily halt the individual production facilities and supply chains. Hence, the impact on the supply chain will be less. However, as the supply chain operations continue to improve, the COVID-19 recommendations continue to evolve.
For instance.
- In 2020, Capricor Therapeutics resumed the supply chain productions during the pandemic for the development and production of exosomes therapeutics
To minimize the supply chain crisis, the government has been monitoring the supply chain operation facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that multiple ways for enhancement in the supply chain units and operation facilities are likely to have positive growth in the market.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS BY MANUFACTURERS
The strategic approach presented by the manufacturers for the introduction of service can positively impact the market's growth. The major players are also trying to devise specific strategies, such as product launch, expansions, and partnerships, to ensure the smooth running of the business, avoid risks, and increase the long-term growth in the sales of the market.
For instance,
- In April 2021, Capricor Therapeutics had signed an agreement with Johns Hopkins University to expand the exosome platform technology portfolio. The evolution of the exosome platform technology portfolio would include the engineered exosomes for vaccines and therapeutics as part of the Company’s exosome technology portfolio. The agreement would allow Capricor Therapeutics the worldwide right to engineer exosomes for vaccines and therapeutics
- In January 2019, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Codiak BioSciences had announced a strategic collaboration to research, develop and commercialize engineered exosomes to create therapies for malignant cancers. The partnership would strengthen the Jazz Pharmaceuticals collaboration with a novel therapeutic approach that can provide transformational benefit to a subgroup of patients with modulations in well-validated non-drug targets
CONCLUSION
The impact of the novel COVID-19 virus is expected to leave a long-term effect on each industrial sector. The outbreak of COVID 19 prompted citizens to deal with confusion regarding the virus and its management. The virus poses a risk to human life and has caused economic distress and severe emotional strain. It produced a wave effect that gave rise to a new collection of requirements and needs that were not needed earlier.
The growing prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer has increased the need for natural exosome therapeutics. However, the regulatory framework and the risks incurred while using the exosome therapeutics can hamper the market growth.
In the case of SARS-CoV-2, exosomes could promote spread and infection due to the presence of CD9 and ACE2, which are involved in fostering the SARS-CoV-2 condition. Thus, exosome-mediated treatment, such as stem cell-derived exosome therapy, exosome-based drug delivery, inhibition of exosome biogenesis and uptake, and exosome-based vaccines could be effective for COVID-19 treatment.
Future research is required to optimize the process of exosome isolation to produce high yields and to determine the best therapeutic properties for use in COVID-19 treatment. Future studies should focus on well-designed large-scale randomized controlled trials comparing the therapeutic effects of exosomes derived from different sources to provide essential critical insights into therapeutic development.
Finally, the use of exosomes derived from various sources in t eating COVID-19 pneumonia and lung pathology should be investigated and assessed for viability and safety. As exosomes are associated with numerous beneficial effects, to exploit exosomes' full potential for human health, further studies are required to resolve issues associated with cell-based therapies and to clarify the safety and effectiveness of these therapies and their long-term outcomes.
