Antiprotozoal Drugs Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Disease Indication (Malaria, Amoebiasis, Giardiasis, Trichomoniasis, Chagas Disease, and Others), By Route of Administration (Oral and Parenteral), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Drug Stores and Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global antiprotozoal drugs market is witnessing significant growth due to the rising burden of protozoan infections in the tropical and subtropical regions. The drugs are a class of medications that are designed to treat diseases caused by protozoan parasites. These parasites are single-celled organisms that cause a range of illnesses in humans, including malaria, amoebiasis, giardiasis, leishmaniosis, trichomoniasis, and others.

• For instance, in April 2024, according to data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 6.0 to 7.0 million people worldwide were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, in Latin America was highly affected region. Such a growing burden of protozoal diseases is expected to propel the growth of the market.

Antiprotozoal Drugs Market Driver

Rising Incidence of Protozoal Diseases to Drive Global Market Growth

The increasing burden of protozoal diseases, such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, significantly impacts the low-income countries around the globe. The rise in the cases of the disease is due to lack of hygiene, contaminated food and water, vector-borne transmission via mosquitoes, and climate change, which are certain reasons associated with the growth of these parasitic infections.

• For instance, in December 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, an estimated 249.0 million malaria cases were registered globally for malaria, and the African region carries a high share of the global malaria burden.

Such a large number of cases associated with protozoan parasitic diseases leads to an increased demand for antiprotozoal drugs and drives market growth.

Download Free sample to learn more about this report.

According to the World Health Organization and Medicine for Malaria Venture (MMV), globally, an estimated 231.0 million cases were registered for malaria in 2019, which increased to 249.0 million cases in 2022.

Antiprotozoal Drugs Market Restraint

Side Effects Associated with the Drugs May Hamper Market Growth

Despite the critical need and increased usage of antiprotozoal drugs, one of the strongest hindrances to  market growth is the hazardous side effects of antiprotozoal drug treatment.

• For instance, according to data published by the Nation Health Services, the antiprotozoal drug of metronidazole has side effects such as stomach pain, hot flushes, difficulty breathing, palpitations, and headaches. In addition, sometimes the drug may have hypersensitivity reactions and cases of encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy (including optic neuropathy) have been reported with metronidazole. Thus, the side effects associated with the drugs may restrict the growth of the market.

Antiprotozoal Drugs Market Opportunity

Rising Advancements in Pharmanceutical Technologies to Create New Growth Opportunities

In recent years, the advancements in pharmaceutical technologies and rising expenditure for research and development have led to the increased launch of new treatment options for neglected diseases. Further, the increasing focus of key players in the market to receive approval and launch novel treatment options for sleeping sickness diseases is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

• In July 2021, Sanofi announced the approval of fexinidazole by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is the first oral treatment for both stages of the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, a form of sleeping sickness. Such launches are expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period of 2024-2032.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Prevalence/Incidence of Key Protozoal Diseases, By Key Countries, 2023
• Overview: Reimbursement Scenario, By Key Countries/Region
• Key Industry Developments: Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships
• Pipeline Analysis, By Key Players
• New Product Launches, By Key Players
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

Analysis by Disease Indication

Based on disease indication, the market is segmented into malaria, amoebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, chagas disease, and others.

The malaria segment held a significant share of the global market. The rising cases of malaria in the medium to lower-economic countries is propelling the growth of the antiprotozoal drugs market and boosting the segment growth.

Additionally, the rising awareness programs in key countries for malaria prevention and increasing product launches for antimalarial drugs by key players are driving the segment growth.

• For instance, in July 2024, GSK plc, in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), launched the first single-dose medication, tafenoquine, for preventing relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria in both Thailand and Brazil, where it is co-administered with chloroquine for a radical cure, in efforts to eliminate malaria.

Analysis by Route of Administration

Based on the route of administration, the market for antiprotozoal drugs is categorized into oral and parenteral.

The oral segment held a substantial share of the market. The growth of the segment is attributed to the presence of a wide range of antiprotozoal drug products in the tablet or oral suspension forms. Further, the oral dosage forms have become the preferred formulation choice and encourage better patient compliance due to their low cost and ease of availability. Moreover, increasing approvals and product launches in the oral dosage forms are expected to boost the segment growth.

• For instance, in November 2023, Kesin Pharma Corporation announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of LIKMEZ (metronidazole) oral suspension, 500 mg/5 mL. It is used for the treatment of trichomoniasis and anaerobic bacterial infections in adults and amoebiasis in adults and pediatric patients.

Analysis by Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel, the market is subdivided into hospital pharmacies, drug stores and retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies.

The drug stores and retail pharmacies segment held a significant market share. Retail pharmacies provide patients immediate, local access to personalized services. The growth is attributed to enhanced accessibility, support services, and community engagement initiatives, which help effectively manage the patient's condition. Further, an increasing number of retail pharmacy stores is expected to fulfill the rising demand for antiprotozoal drugs, propelling the segment growth.

• For instance, in November 2019, according to the Pharmacy Council of India, there were around 800,000 retail pharmacies registered in India and growing to date. Such a significant presence of retail pharmacies in developing countries drives the growth of the segment.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

To gain extensive insights into the market, Download for Customization

North America accounted for a substantial share of the global antiprotozoal drugs market in 2023. The regional growth is attributed to the presence of key players in the market with diversified product offerings for the protozoal treatment. Further, the presence of advanced healthcare facilities with reimbursement and insurance coverages for treatment and an increase in research activities and clinical studies associated with antiprotozoal drugs in the region is expected to propel the regional growth.

• For instance, in November 2022, Novartis AG, with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), started the Phase 3 development of ganaplacide/lumefantrine- solid dispersion formulation (SDF) to tackle the resistance associated with the current antimalarial drugs. The new formulation is used to treat patients with acute uncomplicated malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum.

Europe has a considerable share of the global antiprotozoal drugs market. The presence of advanced healthcare facilities and strong regulatory bodies is owing to the growth of the region. The presence of key players in the market with diversified product offerings is expected to boost the growth of the region in the market.

Moreover, the Middle East and Africa market is expected to expand due to the rising prevalence of protozoal diseases and the increasing burden of infectious diseases. Additionally, increase in initiatives of the manufacturers to increase the production of antiprotozoal drugs to provide effective treatment to the patients is set to propel industry expansion.

• For instance, in November 2023, Universal Corporation Limited, a pharmaceutical company from Kenya, received the World Health Organization (WHO) approval to produce a lifesaving malaria drug. Such authorization is expanding the growth of the regional market.

Key Players Covered

The global antiprotozoal drugs market is fragmented, with the presence of several multinational and regional players:

The report includes the profiles of the following key players:

• Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)
• Lupin (India)
• Novartis AG (Switzerland)
• Bayer AG (Germany)
• GSK plc. (U.S.)
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd  (Switzerland)
• Sanofi (France)
• Cipla (India)

Key Industry Developments

• In April 2024, Novartis AG and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announced positive results for Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) from the phase II/III CALINA study. This drug is developed for babies weighing less than 5kg with malaria.
• In July 2021, Lupin announced the approval of SOLOSEC (secnidazole) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is used to treat trichomoniasis in adults.