HIV Drugs Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Drug Class (Integrase Inhibitors, Non- Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), Combination HIV Medicines, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global HIV drugs market size was USD 28.79 billion in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with HIV drugs witnessing a negative impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the market exhibited a steady growth of 5.7% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is expected to grow from USD 30.46 billion in 2021 to USD 45.58 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.9% in the 2021-2028 period. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is considered to be one of the most serious and chronic diseases caused due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is a viral infection that transmits via exposure to HIV-infected blood, semen, breast milk, and other infected agents. The prevalence of HIV is surging at a significant rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 33.0 million individuals are currently living with an HIV infection. This has resulted in greater and increasing awareness among people, leading to an increase in testing procedures. This has subsequently led to a surge in demand for HIV medications with high potency for the treatment and management of the disorder.

The increasing patient population, coupled with new product launches, is likely to fuel the market growth. Significant research and development, promotion of government-run awareness programs, the launch of new products, and increasing market penetration by key companies in developing regions are contributing to the market growth.

Global Market to Witness Slow Growth due to Declining Number of New Patient Prescriptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in the import and export of healthcare products across the globe. The pandemic has adversely impacted the growth of this market due to the disruption and volatility in the supply of drugs. Furthermore, the decreasing number of new patient prescriptions in the U.S., Europe, and other COVID impacted regions/countries has reduced the demand for antiretroviral and antibiotic products globally.

Most of the companies have reported an adverse impact of the pandemic on the sales of HIV/AIDS drugs. For instance, Gilead Sciences Inc., one of the leading antiretroviral drug companies, reported that the sales of its HIV medications had decreased due to the lower sales volume of Truvada. Similarly, Theratechnologies Inc. reported a decrease in the sales of HIV drugs such as Trogarzo in the highly COVID impacted countries, which includes regions such as the European Union due to strict lockdown measures imposed in many European countries.  

Furthermore, ViiV Healthcare has also reported that the sales of HIV drugs have declined drastically in the second quarter of 2020. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, the demand for HIV/AIDS medications increased. Overall, this market experienced comparatively slow growth during the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing R&D Initiatives for the Development of Long-acting Suppression Antiretroviral Therapy is a Vital Trend

Some of the trends in the global market include the development of antiretroviral therapy as a long-acting suppression (ATLAS) and a first long-acting injectable formulation. The new ATLAS regimens are a convenient treatment option as the once-a-month dosage has become available for a substantial number of patients, and, as a result, physicians anticipate that the compliance rates will improve.

The new complete long-acting regimen is a combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine, which can act as an alternative option for the existing HIV drugs. The new injectable formulation has now entered the global market and has increased the standard of care when compared with the most commonly prescribed HIV drugs. This new treatment reduces the dosing days from 365 days to 12 days each year. The new drug includes Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine), which is manufactured by ViiV Healthcare. The U.S. FDA approved the Cabenuva drug in January 2020. These upcoming new trends in the market will diversify growth during the forecasted period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Number of New Product Launches and Rising Drug Approvals to Boost Growth

The growing emphasis on the research and development (R&D) of HIV drugs has led to numerous drug innovations in recent years. Key companies engaged in these investment initiatives include Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. Furthermore, many companies are involved in strategic collaborations and the launch of new medications across the globe. For instance,

• In January 2021, ViiV Healthcare received the U.S. FDA approval for Cabenuva, the first and only complete long-acting regimen combination drug for HIV treatment.


• In September 2019, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., the subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., received the U.S. FDA approval for PIFELTRO and DELSTRIGO combination drugs. These drugs can be used to treat adults with HIV-1.  


• In February 2018, Mylan Inc. announced the launch of Efavirenz tablets in the U.S. Efavirenz tablets are the first generic version of Sustiva. This product is given in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of type 1 HIV infection in adults and pediatric patients.


• In November 2017, ViiV Healthcare received the U.S. FDA approval for Juluca in the U.S. Juluca is a single-dose antiretroviral (ART) regimen that suppresses the viral infection.

Such an increase in the number of product launches in the HIV drugs category will enhance the market growth.

Rising Prevalence of HIV/AIDS to Surge the Market Growth

The increasing prevalence of the disease HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, is one of the major contributing factors anticipated to drive market growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 33.0 million people were living with HIV infection, and 1.7 million new infected patients were reported in 2019. Furthermore, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2019, there were approximately 2.2 million individuals with HIV in Western and Central Europe and North America, an estimated 20.7 million people with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa, 5.8 million infected individuals in Asia Pacific, and another 4.9 million individuals across the Western and Central Africa region.

This huge patient population across different regions is creating intense demand for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Additionally, the government is taking steps to improve access to diagnosis and treatment for HIV patients. This is anticipated to drive the global HIV/AIDS drugs market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Access to Treatment and Unawareness of HIV Infection Status May Hinder Growth

Despite the advancements in research and development, improved scientific understanding of HIV, and the availability of treatment methods, there are some restraining factors that are responsible for limiting the market growth. Many people infected with HIV or at risk of an HIV infection do not have access to timely treatment. Furthermore, there is still no cure for this infection. For instance, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), there is an uneven distribution of treatment measures across the globe. The middle-income and developing countries are still facing issues with the availability of adequate treatment options, which would hamper the HIV drugs market growth.

Additionally, many people are unaware of their HIV infection status. According to a study conducted by BioMed Central Ltd. in Europe, it was reported that amongst the 467 participants, one-third of the participants who were living with HIV were unaware of their infections. The uneven availability of treatment of HIV and unawareness about the HIV infection is expected to hinder the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Drug Class Analysis

Combination HIV Medicines Segment to Grow at a Faster Pace during 2021-2028

On the basis of the drug class, the market can be segmented into combination HIV medicines, integrase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and others. The combination HIV medicines segment is anticipated to dominate the market. This dominance is owing to the increasing demand for this drug class due to better results in the management of HIV & co-related infections. Furthermore, this drug class comprises the most advanced technology for the treatment of HIV infections. 

The integrase inhibitors segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2020 as it is the first line of treatment for HIV, which supports the segmental growth. According to the International AIDS Society (IAS), integrase inhibitors are recommended as the initial treatments for new HIV infection. The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors segment (NRTIs) accounts for the lowest market share as there is a considerably lesser demand for this drug class in comparison to the recently innovative drug launches.                                                                    

The others segments include protease inhibitors (PIs), fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, post-attachment inhibitors, pharmacokinetic enhancers, and other drug classes.       

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Hospital Pharmacies Segment to Hold the Dominant Share during the Forecast Period

Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others. The hospital pharmacies segment is projected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the rising patient visits to hospitals for the treatment of HIV. Furthermore, the increasing sales of prescribed antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment from hospital pharmacies would support the segmental growth.

The rising number of retail pharmacies offering HIV medications and the high preference to buy oral drugs from retail pharmacies on a regular basis contribute to the segmental growth. The online pharmacies segment would grow at a lucrative CAGR owing to the increased internet penetration and availability of HIV medications on online pharmacies. The others segment includes other channels that are used to obtain HIV drugs, such as various government-run health centers.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

On the basis of region, the global market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world. North America is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 20.27 billion in 2020. The domination by this region is attributed to the increasing prevalence of HIV infection amongst the U.S. population. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2021, approximately 1.2 million individuals at the end of 2018 were living with HIV. Such a high patient population base significantly increases the demand for HIV drugs. Another factor contributing to the regional growth is the awareness amongst the population. Also, the presence of key players offering innovative HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV infection would further enhance the market growth.

Europe is expected to be the second-largest market during the forecast period owing to the increasing cases of HIV infections and the presence of a large number of HIV drugs companies in this region. Furthermore, the rising strategic collaborations amongst the European companies will improve drug availability, which will support the market growth in this region. For instance, in July 2020, Theratechnologies Europe Limited, a European subsidiary of Theratechnologies Inc., collaborated with Loxxess for the distribution of Trogarzo, an antiretroviral drug across Europe.

The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market with the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the highly populated countries, such as China and India, with a large number of HIV patients. Furthermore, the increasing number of treatment programs and surging funding from the private sector and healthcare companies are anticipated to drive the market. For instance, in December 2020, Gilead Sciences, Inc., one of the leading antiretroviral drug companies, announced the grant of USD 1.4 million for its ‘Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant Program’ in Asia Pacific. The program is a part of Gilead's initiative to improve public-private partnerships in the Asia Pacific region for the resolving of challenges faced by HIV-infected patients.                          

The rest of the world, which includes regions of Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, are projected to account for low market shares due to the unavailability of technologically superior HIV drugs, poor healthcare standards, and comparatively limited healthcare expenditure. But, these regions comprise a good growth potential for the market in the forecast period as they account for a large number of HIV patients.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Robust HIV/AIDS Drugs Portfolios of ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences to Lead to Their Market Dominance

The competitive landscape for the global HIV drugs market has the presence of key market players, such as ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. These companies comprise a major proportion of the market. These key players dominate the global market owing to their strong sales of antiretroviral drugs with new product launches and strategic collaborations for the enlargement of their product portfolios. For instance, in March 2021, Gilead Sciences Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme entered into an agreement for the co-development and co-commercialization of long-acting treatment with the combinations of Islatravir and Lenacapavir for HIV patients.

The other prominent players in the global market include Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Theratechnologies Inc., Viatris (Mylan Pharmaceuticals), Genentech, AbbVie, and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. These companies are also likely to enhance their market growth in the forecast period to strengthen their positions.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ViiV Healthcare (Research Triangle Park, U.S.)


• Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Foster City, U.S.)


• GlaxoSmithKline plc (Brentford, U.K.)


• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (Kenilworth, France)


• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (New York City, U.S.)


• Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson) (Beerse, Belgium)


• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany)


• AbbVie Inc. (North Chicago, U.S.)


• Genentech, Inc. (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG) (South San Francisco, U.S.)


• Mylan N.V. (Canonsburg, U.S.)


• Other Prominent Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2021 – Unitaid and Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) announced a pricing agreement with pharma company Hetero Labs LTD with an aim to make darunavir coupled with ritonavir (DRV/r) as a second line-therapy for HIV patients living in low and middle-income countries, for US$ 210 per patient/year.


• March 2021 – Gilead Sciences Inc and Merck announced an collaboration agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize long-acting treatment for HIV. The companies plan to combine Gilead’s investigational capsid inhibitor lenacapavir and Merck’s investigational nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor, islatravir to develop a two-drug regimen for HIV.


• January 2021 - ViiV Healthcare received U.S FDA approval for Cabenuva, an injectable drug indicated for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infections in adults.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global HIV drugs market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects, such as the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS by key countries, industry trends, pipeline analysis, and regional analysis. Additionally, it covers industrial insights and key development, such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new product launches, along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this market. In addition, the report offers current market trends and highlights key industry dynamics.

Report Scope & Segmentation