By Josephine Akaerr

The stroke market is one of the only sectors within the medical device industry that has been showing some stability over the COVID-19 period, and will likely experience a slight uptick in the near future, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Principal Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, Sheryl Tang comments: “Several leading manufacturers in the neurovascular space have noted stable sales in their ischemic stroke portfolios. GlobalData expects that, while the market has experienced some negative impact on growth compared to the previous year, the urgent nature of stroke care will limit the impact of COVID-19-related challenges on the market, which will only see a decrease of around 5 per cent. Other markets within the neuro space have experienced a significantly greater impact, where neuromodulation and aneurysm treatment experienced a decline in up to 50 per cent of procedures during the peak of the first wave.

“Furthermore, GlobalData expects a quick recovery of some stroke-related markets – for example, the thrombectomy market growth is expected to return back to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021.”

The recent study on stroke among COVID-19 patients, published in the American Academy of Neurology, and the rising number of cases are highlighting the importance of stroke care now more than ever – pushing manufacturers to continue releasing innovative treatment devices. Cerenovus, the neurovascular subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recently announced the release of three new devices for clot removal, including its third-generation stent retriever.

Tang continues: “These advancements in stroke care will be imperative in minimizing post-stroke complications, and the market will experience minimal impact in the expected second wave.”