Global Antiviral Drugs Market Analysis by Drug class, Indication, Type, Age Group and Region and segments forecast till 2033

Market Overview

The global Antiviral Drugs market was worth USD 35,650 million in 2022 and is anticipated to amplify at a CAGR of 5.2% over 2023-2033, thereby accumulating USD 55,170 million by end of the analysis timeline.

Antiviral drugs are referred to the type of medications used to treat viral infections. Most of these drugs target particular viruses whereas some antivirals are effective against a broad range of viruses. These drugs do not actually destroy their target pathogen but in turn inhibit its development. They are mostly effective in dealing with herpes viruses, HIV, influenza A and B, hepatitis B, just to name a few. Some of the popular antivirals are Relenza, Tenofovir, Tamiflu, Sustivahave, and Telbivudine.

Rising prevalence of viral infections, surging approval and expected commercialization of novel medicines for viral infections, and increasing public cognizance on the availability of various antivirals are the primary factors aiding the progression of this market sphere. Furthermore, rising research & development activities in the field and surge in healthcare expenditure in several regions are positively swaying Antiviral Drugs Market dynamics. On the flipside, high costs associated with drug development and rigid government regulation in terms of approval and usage of antivirals are likely to impede Antiviral Drugs Market growth in the ensuing years.

The emergence of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic increased the demand for antiviral drugs worldwide. Coronavirus, being a viral disease needs to be treated with a strong and effective antiviral. Medicines like oseltamir, favipiravir, and remdesivir are highly prescribed for treating COVID-19. Although a more effective medication against this viral disease is yet to be developed and several government and private entities are putting their efforts to get a breakthrough in formulating a highly effective antiviral against the novel disease. This in turn is augmenting the overall Antiviral Drugs Market outlook.

Viral infections are regarded as one of the major illnesses affecting millions of lives worldwide. There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of diseases such as HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, and herpes. As per the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, nearly 25.4 million people infected with HIV were taking antiretroval therapy as of 2019 and the number is expected to increase in the coming years. Research institutes and biopharmaceutical companies have increased their focus on developing antivirals, which in turn is fueling Antiviral Drugs Market expansion.

Report Scope

Impact of COVID

The emergence of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic increased the demand for Antiviral Drugs Market. Coronavirus, being a viral disease needs to be treated with a strong and effective antiviral. Medicines like oseltamir, favipiravir, and remdesivir are highly prescribed for treating COVID-19. Although a more effective medication against this viral disease is yet to be developed and several government and private entities are putting their efforts to get a breakthrough in formulating a highly effective antiviral against the novel disease. This in turn is augmenting the overall industry outlook. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the antiviral drugs market. Antiviral drugs have been in the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, as they are used to treat the symptoms of the virus and prevent its replication within the body. As a result, there has been a surge in demand for antiviral drugs, leading to a significant increase in their Antiviral Drugs Market size.

However, the pandemic has also disrupted the supply chains of antiviral drugs due to lockdowns and travel restrictions, leading to shortages in some regions. This has led to an increase in prices for some antiviral drugs and has made it difficult for patients to access necessary treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has also spurred the development of new antiviral drugs and therapies to combat the virus, leading to a significant increase in research and development in this area. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of antiviral drugs in combating infectious diseases and is expected to drive continued growth in Antiviral Drugs Market in the coming years.

Drug class Insights

The reverse transcriptase inhibitors segment is expected to register notable gains over the analysis timeline owing to rising diagnosis and treatment rate pertaining to HIV. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) are a class of antiviral drugs that inhibit the activity of the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is responsible for the replication of retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These drugs can effectively suppress the replication of the virus and prevent it from multiplying in the body.

The rising incidence of HIV and the increasing diagnosis and treatment rates of the disease are the major factors driving the growth of the RTIs segment in the antiviral drugs market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 38 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS in 2019. The increasing prevalence of the disease has led to a rise in the demand for antiviral drugs, including RTIs. Moreover, the availability of novel RTIs with improved efficacy and safety profiles is further driving the segment growth. For instance, in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new combination therapy for HIV treatment that includes a novel RTI drug, lenacapavir. This drug has shown promising results in clinical trials, indicating its potential to provide long-acting HIV treatment with fewer side effects compared to existing therapies.

Indication Insights

The HIV AIDS segment presently dominates Antiviral Drugs Market and is anticipated to showcase similar expansion trends in the ensuing years. This is credited to rising prevalence of HIV and absence of effective vaccines against the disease. The HIV/AIDS segment dominates the antiviral drugs market because HIV is a serious and life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, and without effective treatment, it can lead to AIDS, which is the advanced stage of the disease. There is currently no effective vaccine for HIV, which means that treatment with antiviral drugs is the only way to manage the disease.

The prevalence of HIV is increasing globally, with an estimated 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. In addition, there are around 1.7 million new cases of HIV each year. The high prevalence of HIV means that there is a significant demand for antiviral drugs to manage the disease. As the prevalence of HIV continues to rise, the demand for antiviral drugs to treat the disease is also expected to increase. This is expected to drive the growth of the HIV/AIDS segment in the antiviral drugs market in the coming years. Additionally, ongoing research and development activities aimed at developing new and more effective antiretroviral drugs could further drive the growth of this segment in the future.

Type Insights

The generic segment is poised to capture a high revenue share over 2023-2033 owing to cost effectiveness and easy availability of generic drugs. Generic drugs are typically much cheaper than branded drugs due to the absence of the research and development costs associated with creating new drugs. This makes them a more cost-effective option for patients who may require long-term treatment for chronic viral infections, such as HIV, hepatitis, and herpes. Generic drugs are widely available and easily accessible in many countries, which helps to increase patient access to vital antiviral medications. This is particularly important in low-income and developing countries, where access to healthcare and expensive branded drugs can be limited. Overall, the combination of lower cost and wider availability makes generic antiviral drugs a highly attractive option for patients and healthcare providers alike. As such, the generic segment of the antiviral drugs market is expected to see significant growth and capture a high revenue share in the years to come.

Age Group Insights

The geriatric segment is slated to grow substantially over the stipulated timeline as the elderly people are highly prone to various viral diseases and hence require anti-viral drugs to a massive extend. The geriatric segment refers to the population of individuals aged 65 years and above. As people age, their immune system weakens, making them more susceptible to various viral diseases. This makes them highly dependent on antiviral drugs for treatment and management of these diseases. Additionally, the geriatric population is expected to increase in the coming years due to the aging of the baby boomer generation, leading to a higher demand for Antiviral Drugs Market in this segment.

Regional Insights

North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa are the regions constituting the geographical ambit of Antiviral Drugs Market. Among these, Europe is anticipated to register a significant CAGR over the stipulated timeline owing to rising incidences of infectious diseases and the development of effective vaccines by prominent players. Similarly, Asia Pacific is projected to showcase lucrative amplification trends over the estimated timeframe ascribing to increasing public awareness on the availability and benefits of antivirals and launch of innovate products (medicines and vaccines).

Competitive Analysis

Key players operating in the worldwide Antiviral Drugs Market are Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Cipla Inc, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc, Merck & Co., Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, GlaxoSmithkline plc, AbbVie, Inc, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, and F.Hoffmann-La Roche AG., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan N V, Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca plc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi and others .

Recent News

·         In 2021, the FDA authorized the emergency use of antiviral drugs like Remdesivir and Molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19.

·         In 2022, Pfizer announced the successful completion of Phase 2/3 clinical trials for its antiviral drug PF-07321332, which showed promising results in reducing the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk adults with COVID-19.

·         In 2022, Merck announced the submission of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application to the FDA for its investigational oral antiviral drug molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults at high risk of severe disease.

·         In 2022, Roche announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for its oral antiviral drug AT-527 for the treatment of COVID-19, showing a reduction in viral load and faster time to clinical improvement in hospitalized patients.

·         In 2023, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston developed a new antiviral drug called HT-319 that showed effectiveness against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and Zika virus.