Enteral feeding formulas are a type of specialized nutrition
used to provide nutrients and energy to individuals who are unable to consume
food orally. These formulas are typically administered through a feeding tube
that is inserted into the stomach or small intestine.
There are various types of enteral feeding formulas
available, each with its own unique composition and nutritional profile. These
formulas can be classified into three main categories: standard, specialized,
and disease-specific.
Standard formulas are designed to meet the nutritional needs
of individuals who have no specific dietary requirements or medical conditions.
These formulas typically contain a balanced mix of macronutrients (proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats) as well as vitamins and minerals.
Specialized formulas are designed to meet the nutritional
needs of individuals with specific dietary requirements or medical conditions.
For example, there are specialized formulas for individuals with diabetes,
renal failure, and hepatic failure, among other conditions.
Disease-specific formulas are designed to meet the specific
nutritional needs of individuals with certain medical conditions. These
formulas are often used in the treatment of conditions such as cancer,
HIV/AIDS, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Enteral feeding formulas can be administered through a
variety of feeding tubes, including nasogastric tubes, gastrostomy tubes, and
jejunostomy tubes. The choice of tube will depend on the individual's medical
condition and the goals of the enteral feeding.
While enteral feeding formulas are generally safe and
effective, there are some potential risks associated with their use. These
include infections at the site of the feeding tube, aspiration (inhaling
formula into the lungs), and dehydration.
In conclusion, enteral feeding formulas are a valuable tool
in the management of individuals who are unable to consume food orally. With
the wide variety of formulas available, healthcare professionals can tailor the
nutritional therapy to the individual's specific needs and medical condition.
However, careful monitoring and management is required to minimize the risks
associated with enteral feeding.
Enteral Feeding Formula Market Dynamics
Drivers in Enteral
Feeding Formulas Market
The enteral feeding formula market is influenced by various
factors that affect the growth and demand for the product. One of the major
drivers of this market is the benefits and cost-effectiveness of enteral over
parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is a method of delivering artificial
nutrients or medication to the body through the gastrointestinal tract. It is
associated with fewer complications than parenteral nutrition, which uses
central or peripheral veins to deliver nutrients or medication intravenously into
the bloodstream.
According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral
Nutrition (ASPEN) guidelines, enteral nutrition is the preferred feeding route
over parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients who require nutrition
support therapy. This preference is due to the cost benefits of enteral nutrition,
which is 40% lower than parenteral nutrition per day per person. The
affordability of enteral nutrition has driven a significant increase in the
enteral feeding formula market.
Restraints in Enteral
Feeding Formulas Market
However, the lack of patient awareness is a significant
restraint for the enteral feeding formula market. A recent study on patients
with dementia found that using feeding tubes (FTs) in patients with advanced
dementia does not yield positive health outcomes and can have a negative
effect. The study also revealed significant gaps in knowledge among doctors
about the indications for FTs, with only 17.9% acknowledging that there is no
indication for the use of FTs in patients with advanced dementia.
This lack of knowledge among doctors regarding enteral
feeding is not limited to patients with dementia. Despite numerous verified
clinical practice guidelines focusing on enteral feeding of critically ill
patients, there remains a wide gap between guideline recommendations and actual
nutrition practices. Underfeeding is a global problem, and there is a need for
hospital departments to strengthen standardization and systematic EN training,
provide ICU full-time nutritionists, and distribute medical resources and
personnel rationally to remove restraints on market growth.
Emergence of New
Products and Innovation as Opportunities
Over the past two and a half decades, the market for enteral
formulas has seen a remarkable surge in the number and diversity of products
available for use. Currently, there are more than 1,000 enteral formulas on the
market, and companies are constantly introducing new products to cater to a
wider range of clients. For example, in 2019, Abbott launched its PediaSure
Harvest and Ensure Harvest products. These are new blends of real-food
ingredients, including spinach, carrot, pumpkin, banana, and mango, designed to
meet the nutritional needs of tube-fed patients.
Moreover, a recent study has highlighted the need for
high-protein enteral nutrition formulas to meet the energy requirements of
critically ill patients, indicating a potential opportunity in this market. As
our understanding of the physiopathology of diseases, the composition and
functionality of food ingredients expands, further innovation is also a possibility.
These opportunities have the potential for significant growth for companies.
The pharmaceutical and biotech industries, along with
governments worldwide, are working to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts
include supporting vaccine development and planning for potential challenges in
the medicine supply chain. Currently, there are approximately 115 vaccine
candidates and 155 molecules in the R&D pipeline. Additionally, medications
such as Hydroxychloroquine have seen a sharp increase in demand for COVID-19
management. The high demand for these drugs has created a huge opportunity for
manufacturers of COVID-19 management drugs, as many developed countries are
experiencing shortages. Consequently, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology
industry is expected to experience significant growth in the future due to the
demand for vaccines and COVID-19 treatment drugs.
Challenges in Enteral
Feeding Formulas Market
The adoption of enteral feeding in developing countries is
being hindered by the insufficient reimbursements for enteral nutrition
therapy. While developed countries such as the US, Canada, Germany, France, the
UK, and Japan offer reimbursements for enteral feeding, developing countries in
Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East do not have adequate
reimbursements. This is a significant challenge that limits the widespread
adoption of enteral feeding in these countries. Additionally, decreasing
federal funding and reimbursement cuts for home healthcare services over the
next five years are expected to add to the challenges faced by players in the
market.
Despite these challenges, several factors are expected to
drive the enteral feeding formula market during the forecast period. These
include rising healthcare expenditure, a surge in the number of preterm births
worldwide, a growing aging population in need of enteral feeding, a rise in
chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, and
neurological disorders, and increasing awareness of the benefits of enteral
nutrition. Furthermore, rapid improvements in healthcare facilities in emerging
countries, the shift from parenteral nutrition to enteral nutrition due to
cost-effectiveness and nutritional benefits, and growing adoption of enteral
feeding formulas in long-term care facilities are expected to further drive the
market.
However, challenges such as patient safety risks,
insufficient or lack of reimbursements in some developing and underdeveloped
countries, and a shortage of trained physicians across the globe pose significant
hurdles for the growth of this market. Despite these challenges, the enteral
feeding formula market is expected to continue growing, driven by the
increasing demand for enteral nutrition therapy and the development of new and
innovative products.
The enteral feeding formulas market is divided into two
stages, namely adult patients and pediatric & infant patients. The
pediatrics stage has shown a higher CAGR due to the growing preterm birth rate
and chronic conditions among pediatric patients. The market is further
segmented into standard, peptide-based, disease-specific, and other formulas.
The disease-specific segment has exhibited the fastest CAGR due to the
increased incidence of diabetic patients, inducing market growth for diabetic
disease-specific formulas.
The adoption of enteral feeding formulas is on the rise
owing to the increase in the number of premature births and the prevalence of
malnutrition associated with higher ICU mortality. Malnutrition is a common yet
under-treated and under-recognized condition globally, leading to a high
mortality rate, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Enteral nutrition is the preferred way of feeding infants
who are vulnerable to disease and death due to undernutrition and deficiencies
in vitamins and minerals. Moreover, an increase in awareness about the
advantages of early enteral feeding is expected to boost market growth over the
years, as it reduces septic and non-septic complications and improves clinical
outcomes of critically ill and injured patients.
Rising Incidence of
Gastrointestinal Diseases Driving the Adoption of Enteral Feeding Formulas
The enteral feeding formulas market is segmented based on
applications, which include oncology, gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes,
neurological disorders, and other applications such as psychiatric disorders,
heart, kidney, lung, and liver diseases, and hypermetabolism. Among these, the
gastrointestinal diseases segment registered the highest compound annual growth
rate (CAGR). This growth can be attributed to the increasing incidence of
gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.
The adoption of enteral feeding formulas is expected to
accelerate market growth over the forecast years due to the rise in the
incidence of chronic diseases and the aging population who are at high risk of
life-threatening disorders like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, liver
failure, and renal failure. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 85% of older adults are living with
at least one chronic disease, and 65% present with two.
Furthermore, an increase in product launches and product
development by manufacturers is also driving the market growth. In 2020,
Victus, Inc. launched a specialized nutrition product, "Abintra
Care," which combines key nutrients such as vitamin C, antioxidants, zinc,
and selenium for daily immune support. This product launch is an example of the
industry's commitment to innovation and the development of new products to meet
the growing demand for enteral feeding formulas.
The enteral feeding formula market is expected to experience
growth due to various factors such as the rise in demand for formulas for
elderly people who require enteral nutrition at home. Nursing care and home
health agencies also prefer enteral feeding formulas for post-surgery patients,
which is driving the market expansion. Additionally, the increase in the number
of neonatal intensive care units is expected to propel growth.
Moreover, technological advancements and product innovations
are anticipated to drive the market during the forecast period. Key players are
focusing on expanding their product portfolio by designing advanced medical
devices to deliver enteral nutrition and meet the demands of patients under
treatment in homecare settings and intensive care units.
Witleaf recently launched the Brio-Enteral Nutrition Pump
(EFP), which is an easy-to-use rotary peristaltic pump that helps in easy
delivery of enteral nutrition. The device is equipped with sound and light
alarm functionality to alert the user in case of pipeline blockage or
insufficient battery voltage, thus making this device safe and accurate.
In terms of product types, standard formulas currently
dominate the market with a share of 53.7% in 2021. This can be attributed to
the wide adoption of standard formulas among all types of patients and their
associated cost-effectiveness. The easy availability of polymeric nutritional
complete formulas, which are suitable for use in both hospitals and home care
settings, is also expected to accelerate segment growth over the years.
Moreover, physicians prefer to consume standard formulas for gastrostomy tube
(G-tube) patients to enhance children's nutrition, which is further supporting
the growth.
Furthermore, the disease-specific formulas segment is
expected to grow at the fastest rate due to an increase in the prevalence of
several chronic disorders, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular
diseases. The rise in the development and launch of disease-specific
nutritional products by manufacturers as per the patient's needs has further
accelerated segment growth. An increase in the adoption of disease-specific and
immune-modulating formulas to manage several chronic diseases is also projected
to boost the segment growth rate over the forecast period.
In 2021, the intermittent feeding flow type dominated the
enteral feeding formulas market with a high revenue share of 94.3%. This can be
attributed to the increased recommendations of intermittent enteral nutrition
administration by physicians due to better gastrointestinal tolerance by
patients. Intermittent feeding has been found to improve whole-body protein
synthesis, increase mesenteric arterial blood flow, and reduce blood glucose
concentration, thus driving the segment.
Furthermore, intermittent feeding is recommended several
times throughout the day, which may enhance muscle protein synthesis, making it
more appealing for patients. This feeding flow type also provides freedom
during rehabilitation and other procedures and reduces the chances of diarrhea,
which is expected to further boost segment growth.
However, the continuous feeding flow type segment is
anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast years. Continuous
feeding flow type is preferred as it is less labor-intensive for nursing staff
and provides better Gastric Residual Volume (GRV) management, supporting its
growth. Additionally, the adoption of continuous feeding flow types for
critically ill patients suffering from severe burns, cancer, respiratory
failure, and heart conditions is also expected to boost segment growth over the
forecast period.
Tube Feeding for
Cancer Care and Other Disease Conditions Driving Market Growth
In 2021, the "others" segment followed by cancer
care dominated the enteral feeding market, accounting for the highest revenue
share of 43.0% based on indications. Tube feeding is preferred in several
disease conditions, including stroke, nausea, severe fatigue, neurological or
movement disorders, and gastrointestinal dysfunction or disease, which drives
the growth of this segment.
The increase in cancer prevalence globally is expected to
fuel the adoption of tube feeding, as cancer patients often experience health
conditions such as fatigue, vomiting, and nausea that make it difficult to eat.
According to data published by GLOBOCON in 2021, there were about 19.3 million new
cases of cancer worldwide in 2020, with Asia accounting for the highest share
of cancer deaths (58.3%) and Europe accounting for about 22.8% of total cancer
cases.
Additionally, the orphan diseases segment is expected to
grow at the fastest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the forecast years.
This growth rate can be attributed to an increase in preference for clinical
and nutrition management of rare or orphan diseases to improve the quality of
life and raise awareness about tube feeding for rare disease conditions.
The homecare segment has emerged as the largest revenue
generator, accounting for 56.3% of the total market share in 2021. This segment
is projected to grow at a faster pace than the others during the forecast
period. One of the key drivers of the segment’s growth is the increasing demand
for enteral nutrition among patients who require long-term care outside the
hospital. Tube feeding is the only viable option for many patients with chronic
diseases, and this has contributed to the growth of the homecare segment.
For example, a survey conducted in the U.K. revealed that
out of 257 patients, 187 were on home enteral tube feeding, indicating that
approximately 72% of patients were receiving enteral tube feeding at home. The
growing awareness among patients with chronic diseases about the benefits of
adopting enteral feeding formulas in home-based healthcare settings is also
expected to propel the growth of this segment. Additionally, government
initiatives to promote the use of enteral feeding systems or pumps to improve
health outcomes have played a significant role in driving the growth of the
homecare segment.
Furthermore, the rise in demand for enteral feeding formulas
due to an increase in the number of patients requiring life-sustaining care
outside the hospital is anticipated to continue driving growth in the homecare
segment. The convenience of administering enteral nutrition in the comfort of
one’s home and the cost-effectiveness of homecare are other factors that are
expected to drive the growth of this segment in the coming years.
Key Companies in Enteral Feeding Formulas Market
- ABBOTT
- NESTLÉ
- DANONE S.A.
- FRESENIUS KABI
- B. BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
- OTSUKA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
- NUTRITIONAL MEDICINALS, LLC
- KATE FARMS
- MEDTRITION INC.
- VICTUS, INC.
- GLOBAL HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC.
- MEIJI HOLDINGS
- RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP
- HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
- DERMARITE INDUSTRIES
- MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
- REAL FOOD BLENDS
- AJINOMOTO CAMBROOKE, INC
- Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Rickett Benckiser Group Plc
Recent Developments in Enteral Feeding Formulas Market
The enteral feeding formulas market has seen recent
developments, including Nestlé's agreement to acquire a majority stake in
Orgain, a leader in plant-based nutrition, in February 2022. This acquisition
is expected to complement Nestlé Health Science's existing portfolio of
nutrition products.
In September 2021, Abbott launched plant-based proteins and
organic food ingredient enteral formulas for tube feeding. This development is
in line with the increasing trend towards plant-based and organic foods,
providing more options for patients who prefer these types of products. These
new formulas may also provide better nutrition for patients with specific
dietary needs, such as those with allergies or intolerances.
Overall, these recent developments in the enteral feeding
formulas market suggest a focus on innovation and diversification to cater to
the evolving needs and preferences of patients.
In recent years, the Enteral Feeding Formulas Market has
seen significant developments in terms of product innovation, partnerships, and
mergers and acquisitions.
One key trend in the market is the growing demand for
high-protein enteral nutrition formulas to meet the energy demands of
critically ill patients. As a result, manufacturers are developing formulas
with higher protein content and incorporating new ingredients, such as
real-food blends, to cater to a wider range of patients.
Another notable development in the market is the increasing
prevalence of chronic diseases and the aging population, which is driving the
adoption of enteral feeding formulas. Manufacturers are launching new products
and formulations to cater to different disease conditions, such as cancer care,
neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases, among others.
Partnerships and collaborations are also driving innovation
in the market, with companies joining forces to develop new products and expand
their market reach. For example, in 2021, Nestlé Health Science entered into a
partnership with the University of California, Davis, to develop a new
generation of medical nutrition products for patients with chronic diseases.
Mergers and acquisitions are also reshaping the market
landscape, with companies acquiring other firms to expand their product
portfolios and market share. In 2021, Nestlé Health Science acquired a majority
stake in Vital Proteins, a leading collagen-based wellness brand, to expand its
offerings in the personalized nutrition and wellness market.
Overall, the Enteral Feeding Formulas Market is seeing rapid
developments, driven by a combination of factors such as increasing demand for
specialized formulas, partnerships and collaborations, and mergers and
acquisitions.