Market Overview

Apheresis is a type of blood purification treatment for improving condition of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by failure of organ or immune system, removing etiological components or cells from blood by extracorporeal circulation. This survey is done on blood purification equipment used in apheresis therapy, namely, blood plasma separators, blood plasma component separators, selective plasma adsorption filters, continuous renal replacement therapy hemofilters, abdominal dropsy filters, hemoperfusion filters, leukocyte cell removal filters, and blood purification systems which serves as the platform that pumps blood for circulation/separation/retransfusion.

The domestic apheresis equipment market for FY2020 (as a total of 8 items) is valued at 18,760 million yen, based on the shipment value at manufacturers. Although the apheresis equipment market as a whole is diminishing slightly or staying at almost the same level as in the preceding fiscal year, some items are growing. Subsidy policy regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has driven the sales of blood purification systems in FY2020, while continuous renal replacement therapy hemofilters and abdominal dropsy filters have also showing stable growth.

Noteworthy Topics

Blood Purification Systems Market Expanded Significantly in FY2020

The blood purification systems market had been staying almost flat due to its constant replacement demand. Nevertheless, it grew considerably in FY2020 compared to the previous fiscal year. The market growth attributes to the fact that apheresis therapy is being used as a measure for treating COVID-19 patients, and that the government provides subsidy for the purchase of blood purification systems. Although a growth rate may not be as high as the preceding fiscal year, the market for FY2021 is expected to expand compared to the market size of FY2019.

Future Outlook

The apheresis equipment market (as a total of 8 items) is forecasted to diminish slightly or stay flat from FY2021. The projection is made based on the decline in a total number and/or frequency of some therapeutic apheresis procedures and a rise of other treatments such as drug therapy. On the other hand, the market of abdominal dropsy filters and continuous renal replacement therapy hemofilters anticipate stable growth, because both a total number and/or frequency of these procedures and the number of patients experiencing AKI are increasing.


It should also be noted that the blood purification systems used as the platform of apheresis treatment sold well in FY2020. How much the purchased systems will be utilized may influence the trend of the apheresis equipment market hereafter.

Research Outline