Ankylosing Spondylitis Manufacturers and Recent Developments

Let's Explore the Leading Companies in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Market

AbbVie, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson
Gilead Sciences
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
Amgen, Inc.
Samsung Biologics
Fresenius Kabi

Unlocking the Spine: Innovations Reshaping the AS Landscape

The ankylosing spondylitis market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of spondyloarthropathies, early diagnosis initiatives, rising adoption of biologics, and the growing demand for targeted immunotherapies. It includes pharmaceuticals, biologics, biosimilars, diagnostics, monitoring tools, and supportive care services used for the treatment and long-term management of AS, a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton. The market covers TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, NSAIDs, DMARDs, physical therapy solutions, diagnostic imaging, and disease monitoring technologies.

Market Growth

The global ankylosing spondylitis market size is calculated at USD 6.7 billion in 2025, grew to USD 7.09 billion in 2026, and is projected to reach around USD 11.83 billion by 2035. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 5.85% between 2026 and 2035.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Market Size 2025-2035

Ankylosing Spondylitis Market Outlook

Industry Growth Overview: The market is expected to grow rapidly, driven by the increasing development of personalized medicines and innovative diagnostics. Advances in cell therapy, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and CAR-T cell therapy, demonstrate promise in addressing limitations.
Startup Ecosystem: The startup ecosystem is maturing, driven by significant growth in venture capital investments and the rising adoption of advanced technologies. Hillstar Bio, Trinity Biotech, and NeoDx Biotech Labs are some startups involved in the treatment and diagnosis of AS.
Major Investors: Several government and private organizations provide funding to pharma and biotech companies, assisting in the development of innovative immunotherapies, stem cells, and in vitro diagnostics. Funding also allows healthcare organizations to adopt advanced tools for AS diagnosis and treatment.

Top Companies & Their Offerings in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Market

1. Pfizer, Inc. (New York, United States)

Offers Xeljanz / Xeljanz XR for treating adult patients with active Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
Revenue (2024): $63.6 billion.

2. Sandoz Group AG (Basel, Switzerland)

Provides Hyrimoz, used alone or with non-biologic DMARDs for the treatment of AS.
Revenue (2024): $10.4 billion.

3. Novartis AG (Basel, Switzerland)

Offers Cosentyx, the first and only interleukin-17A inhibitor approved for adults with AS.
Revenue (2024): $11.9 billion.

4. Augurex Life Sciences Corp. (Canada)

Developed SPINEstat, a first-of-its-kind multiplex biomarker assay for diagnosing and managing AS.
Revenue (2024): Not available / Not disclosed.

5. Eli Lilly and Company (Indiana, United States)

Provides Taltz, a biologic injection for adults with active AS.
Revenue (2024): $45.04 billion.

Company Landscape

1. Novartis AG

Company Overview:

Novartis is a global healthcare leader focused on innovative medicines, generics, and biosimilars, with a strong presence in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.

Corporate Information:

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Year Founded: 1996 (merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz)
Ownership Type: Public (Aktiengesellschaft)

History and Background:

Formed by the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996 to create a diversified pharma group. The company was later structured into divisions like Innovative Medicines and Sandoz.

Key Milestones/Timeline:

1996: Merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz to form Novartis.
2015: FDA originally approved Cosentyx (secukinumab) for psoriasis; later expanded.
2024: European Commission granted landmark approval for Cosentyx in ankylosing spondylitis.
2025: $23 B U.S. investment announced for R&D and manufacturing.

Business Overview:

Novartis develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products, including patented medicines, generics, and biosimilars.

Business Segments/Divisions:

Innovative Medicines (pharma and oncology)
Sandoz (generics & biosimilars)
Corporate / Holding functions

Geographic Presence:

Global operations in ~140 countries, with ~78,000 employees.

Key Offerings (in AS):

Cosentyx (secukinumab), IL-17A inhibitor for ankylosing spondylitis.

End-Use Industries Served:

Primarily pharmaceutical/healthcare — rheumatology, immunology, inflammation.

Key Developments and Strategic Initiatives:

U.S. facility expansion: $23 B to build 10 plants, including a research hub in San Diego.
Collaboration with Schrödinger (computational drug discovery) for next-gen molecules.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

In 2025, Novartis acquired Anthos Therapeutics (up to $3.1 B) to bolster its cardiovascular pipeline.

Partnerships & Collaborations:

Multi-year collaboration with Schrödinger valued up to $2.5 B to integrate computational discovery.

Product Launches/Innovations:

Continued life cycle management of Cosentyx, including IV formulations in other indications.

Capacity Expansions/Investments:

Major U.S. manufacturing and R&D build-out as part of $23 B plan.

Regulatory Approvals:

FDA approvals for Cosentyx in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
European Commission approval for AS indication.

Distribution Channel Strategy:

Novartis distributes globally via a network of subsidiaries, wholesalers, and specialty pharma channels.

Technological Capabilities/R&D Focus:

Strong focus on biologics, computational discovery, precision medicine, and novel modalities.

Core Technologies/Patents:

Monoclonal antibodies (IL-17) such as secukinumab.
Proprietary platforms in computational drug design via Schrödinger collaboration.

Research & Development Infrastructure:

Multinational R&D centers (e.g., Basel, U.S.)
Global clinical trial network for immunology indications, including AS.

Innovation Focus Areas:

Next-gen immunology therapies
Computational drug discovery
Biologics and biosimilars

Competitive Positioning:

Strengths & Differentiators: First mover with IL-17A inhibitor in AS; strong global footprint; deep R&D.
Market Presence & Ecosystem Role: Major biologics innovator; sets benchmark in IL-17 class.

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths: Broad global reach; innovation pipeline; deep immunology expertise.
Weaknesses: High manufacturing costs; patent expiry risk.
Opportunities: Expand Cosentyx into more markets/indications; computational drug AI.
Threats: Biosimilar competition; regulatory risk; pricing pressures.

Recent News & Updates:

2025: Announced $23 B investment in U.S. manufacturing/R&D.
2025: Collaborated with Schrödinger for computational drug discovery.

Press Releases:

European Commission approval for Cosentyx in AS.
FDA approval for AS/PsA indications.

Industry Recognitions/Awards:

Recognized for R&D leadership and innovation in immunology by multiple industry observers (per annual reports).

2. AbbVie Inc.