Injectable Cytotoxic Drugs Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Drug Class (Alkylating Drugs, Cytotoxic Antibodies, Antimetabolites, Plant Alkaloids, and Others), By Application (Oncology, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies) and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global injectable cytotoxic drugs market size was valued at USD 17.65 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 18.29 billion in 2023 to USD 26.50 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

Cytotoxic drugs are one of the most important drug classes used to treat ailments such as oncology disorders. These drugs are well-known for their feature of cellular degeneration, which can eradicate cancerous cells. Cytotoxic injectable medicines are prescribed by doctors as the first line of treatment for different types of cancer. The majority of these medicines that are off-patent are available as generics in the global market. Cytotoxic drugs, also known as chemotherapy, are notorious for their severe side effects, such as follicle toxicity, bone marrow depression, and anemia. The increasing prevalence of cancer and the high dependence on cytotoxic drugs for its treatment are predominant factors augmenting the growth of the market in the coming years. For instance, as per the American Cancer Society report, the majority of oncology disorders, such as bladder, breast, testicular, and uterine cancer, require chemotherapy from stage 2 itself.

COVID-19 Impact

Market Witnessed Slow Growth Owing to Decline in Non-Essential Treatment during COVID-19

The outbreak of COVID-19 had a significant impact on the global injectable cytotoxic drugs market growth. The market witnessed slow growth in 2020 and 2021 due to disruptions in supply chains and changes in bio-manufacturing. For instance, according to the 2020 and 2021 annual reports of Merck & Co., Inc., the company’s oncology drugs segment experienced slow growth of 31.5% and 20.4% compared to 2019 and 2020 respectively. In 2022, the oncology drugs segment of the company experienced a growth of 21.5% compared to 2021. The market is projected to stabilize over the forecast period.

LATEST TRENDS

Strategic Collaborations among Industry Players to Emerge as Vital Trend

The healthcare landscape has undergone significant changes owing to a collaborative approach among market players aimed at providing a more customer-centric experience. Partnerships between key players involved in the manufacturing of injectable cytotoxic drugs and pharmacy distributors have enhanced the productivity of the healthcare supply chain, representing a major trend in the market. For instance, in November 2019, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced the successful completion of Celgene’s acquisition, resulting in the formation of a robust biopharmaceutical entity. This achievement was made possible due to the strong complementary product portfolios of the companies in areas such as oncology, immunology, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases.

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DRIVING FACTORS

High Dependence on Injectable Cytotoxic Drugs for Treatment of Diseases to Propel Market Growth

Cancer is a devastating disease, and due to its heterogeneity, standard treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation are highly effective and widely adopted by the population. Additionally, cytotoxic drugs are predominantly used as the first line of treatment for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Emerging therapies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are currently only approved to treat specific cancer types. Moreover, most targeted and immunotherapy drugs are prescribed in combination with cytotoxic/chemotherapy drugs. Injectable cytotoxic drugs are also prescribed for patients suffering from severe multiple sclerosis.

In addition to this, a significant number of molecules are under development intended to be prescribed along with injectable cytotoxic drugs. For instance, the EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., in collaboration with Merck KGaA, is developing M4344. The molecule is currently in its phase 1 clinical trial combined with Carboplatin for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

Surge in Cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis to Boost Market Growth

Globally, the prevalence of cancer has increased tremendously, making it the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Environmental factors such as tobacco smoking, urbanization, associated pollution, and changing diet patterns are responsible for the rise in cancer cases. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a growing burden. The number of new cancer cases is expected to rise from 18.1 million in 2018 to 29.4 million by 2040.

There is also a surge in the global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This factor is estimated to increase the adoption of injectable cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of these diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 41 individuals out of 100,000 are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis each year in the U.S.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Advent of Alternate Therapies to Treat Cancer Could Restrain Market Growth

The upcoming novel therapies focused on immunotherapy and targeted therapy are highly effective and also exhibit lower side effects than cytotoxic drugs. These factors are likely to inhibit the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. The inherent variability of cancer is contributing to the growing field of Precision and Personalized Medicine (PPM). PPM cancer treatments have been proven to offer immense patient benefits, and thus various pharmaceutical companies are investing in this space. For instance, in June 2020, Philips and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center collaborated to develop personalized oncology treatments and clinical trials based on genomic markers.

SEGMENTATION

By Drug Class Analysis

Antimetabolites Segment Steers Growth Owing to Higher Adoption of these Drugs for Oncology and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Based on drug class, the market is categorized into alkylating drugs, cytotoxic antibodies, antimetabolites, plant alkaloids, and others. The antimetabolites segment dominated and held the largest injectable cytotoxic drugs market share in 2022. Antimetabolites are among the most prescribed cytotoxic drugs for oncology and rheumatoid diseases. The higher adoption of this drug class is estimated to propel the segment's growth in the coming years.

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The plant alkaloids segment holds the second-largest share in the global market. More than 95% of plant alkaloids are administered through the infusion of IV. These factors are projected to drive the segment growth during the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

Oncology Segment Dominates Owing to its Growing Prevalence Globally

Based on application, the market has been categorized into oncology, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis. The oncology segment dominated the global market. The segment's growth is driven by the rising prevalence of cancer and the growing consumption of oncology drugs to treat the disease. Along with this, the high dependence on cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer is also a predominant factor influencing the growth of the segment in the forthcoming years.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Hospital Pharmacies Segment Leads Owing to the Availability of Different Types of Drugs

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, drug stores & retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment dominated the global market. The segment's growth is influenced by the fact that a majority of injectable cytotoxic drugs require highly skilled healthcare professionals to administer them. Hence, the segment is also estimated to record the highest CAGR in the coming years.

The drug stores & retail pharmacies segment accounted for the second-highest market share in 2022 due to the growing patient preference toward it.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Geographically the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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The North America injectable cytotoxic drugs market value stood at USD 8.44 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the rising number of cancer patients and wider access to cancer drugs. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women, and about 2,670 cases were diagnosed in men in the U.S. alone.

Europe’s market growth is attributed to various factors, such as high healthcare expenditure on cancer & rheumatoid arthritis, favorable reimbursement policies, and active government initiatives to increase the accessibility of chemotherapy drugs, among others.

Asia Pacific is also anticipated to showcase significant growth during the forecast period. Factors such as an increasing patient pool and a rise in healthcare spending in the region are supplementing the regional market growth. Moreover, the growing purchasing power of the population in emerging economies, namely India and China, provides a huge opportunity for the regional market's growth.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also expected to show considerable growth in the global market during the forecast period. Countries in these regions are witnessing an increase in the demand for treatment options for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis to cope with the growing patient population suffering from such diseases.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Companies to Focus on Launching Cost-effective Treatment Options

The global market is fragmented and highly competitive, with both local and international players operating in the market. The market was dominated by key players, such as Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., in 2022. The company’s high focus on mergers and acquisitions to diversify its product portfolio is a major reason for its dominance in the market. Moreover, regular product approvals and the entrance of medium-sized companies are anticipated to increase the competition among these players. For instance, in December 2020, MacroGenics, Inc. received U.S. FDA approval for its product MARGENZA to treat adult patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Other players operating in the market include Sanofi, Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Novartis AG, Pfizer, Inc., among others. These players are also significant contributors to the pharmaceutical industry.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Johnson and Johnson Services Inc. (U.S.)


• Sanofi (France)


• Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.)


• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (U.S.)


• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland)


• Novartis AG (Switzerland)


• Pfizer, Inc. (U.S.)


• Merck & Co. Inc. (U.S.)


• Amgen, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2023: The U.S. FDA announced the approval of an injectable cytotoxic drug called the Pemrydi RTU, through the 505(b)(2) new drug application pathway.


• November 2022: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. FDA had approved the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy. The drug would be used as the first line of treatment for adult patients diagnosed with advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations.


• August 2022: Accord Healthcare launched a chemotherapy drug for brain tumors and blood cancers.


• March 2022: KELIX bio announced the acquisition of Vitane Pharma GmbH, a life-science company based in Germany. This acquisition strengthened KELIX bio’s portfolio of injectable cytotoxic drugs.


• April 2019: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced the launch of INFUGEM, the first cytotoxic drug that comes in premixed, ready-to-infuse formulation to treat breast and lung cancers in the U.S.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Injectable Cytotoxic Drugs Market

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The global market research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights on the market and a detailed analysis of market size and growth rate for all possible segments. Along with this, it provides an elaborative analysis of the market segments, dynamics, and competitive landscape. Various key insights in this report include the prevalence of cancer in key regions, top industry developments, overview of regulatory scenarios, pipeline analysis, and impact of COVID-19 on the global market, among others.

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