Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient for Cancer Market Size

Market Size Snapshot

Note – Market size depicts the revenue generated over the financial year

The market for active ingredients in the treatment of cancer is set to grow significantly. It is currently valued at US$ 43.64 billion and is forecast to reach US$ 70.4 billion by 2035. This growth rate represents a CAGR of 4.48 per cent for the period from 2025 to 2035. The growing global prevalence of cancer, combined with the rapid development of biotechnology and a growing interest in the development of individualized medicine, is driving the demand for new active ingredients with improved efficacy against specific types of cancer. In addition, the growth in research and development activities, as well as strategic alliances between pharmaceutical companies, is increasing the availability of new cancer therapies, which is also contributing to the growth of the market. The major players in the active ingredient market, such as Pfizer, Roche and Novartis, are investing heavily in research and development, and forming alliances in order to accelerate the development of new treatments. In particular, recent collaborations aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into the drug discovery process are expected to speed up the development of new active ingredients, and to reduce the cost of development. In addition, the growing trend towards the outsourcing of active ingredient production to specialized manufacturers, as companies seek to optimize their supply chains and reduce their operating costs, is also contributing to the growth of the market. The combination of growing cancer prevalence, technological developments and strategic alliances is expected to drive the active ingredient market for cancer in the coming years.

Regional Market Size

Regional Deep Dive

The Cancer Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Market is characterised by a highly dynamic landscape across regions, driven by increasing cancer prevalence, advancements in biotechnology, and growing focus on personalised medicines. Each region has its own unique market dynamics, which are influenced by regulatory frameworks, the healthcare system, and R&D investment. The market is expected to grow as pharmaceutical companies and research institutes collaborate to develop new therapies that address the diverse needs of cancer patients across regions.

Europe

• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has introduced new guidelines for the manufacturing of cancer APIs, emphasizing quality and safety, which is expected to elevate standards across the industry.
• Collaboration between biotech firms and academic institutions in countries like Germany and the UK is fostering innovation in cancer treatment, with several new APIs entering clinical trials, thereby enhancing the market landscape.

Asia Pacific

• China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has streamlined the approval process for cancer APIs, encouraging local manufacturers to enhance production capabilities and meet rising domestic demand.
• India is emerging as a key player in the global API market, with companies like Sun Pharmaceutical and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories expanding their portfolios to include a range of cancer APIs, driven by both domestic and international demand.

Latin America

• Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has implemented new regulations aimed at improving the quality of cancer APIs, which is expected to boost local production and attract foreign investment.
• Pharmaceutical companies in Mexico are increasingly focusing on biosimilars and generic cancer APIs, driven by a growing demand for affordable treatment options in the region.

North America

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently expedited the approval process for certain cancer APIs, particularly those targeting rare cancers, which is expected to enhance the availability of innovative treatments in the market.
• Major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Merck are investing heavily in R&D for cancer APIs, focusing on immunotherapy and targeted therapies, which are reshaping treatment paradigms and expanding the market.

Middle East And Africa

• The African Medicines Agency (AMA) is working towards harmonizing regulatory frameworks across member states, which is expected to facilitate the entry of new cancer APIs into the market and improve access to treatments.
• In the Middle East, countries like the UAE are investing in healthcare infrastructure and partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies to enhance the availability of cancer APIs, reflecting a growing commitment to combat cancer.

Did You Know?

“Approximately 70% of cancer treatments involve the use of APIs, highlighting their critical role in the development of effective therapies.” — World Health Organization (WHO)

Segmental Market Size

The active ingredient for cancer plays an important role in the oncology market, which is currently growing at a rapid pace. The rising worldwide number of cancer patients, which necessitates new therapies, and the regulatory support for faster drug approvals, especially for individualized therapies, are the main driving forces for the oncology market. The technological progress in the biopharmaceutical industry is also enhancing the quality and efficiency of active ingredient production. The market for active ingredients for cancer treatment is currently in a mature phase, with companies such as Novartis and Roche leading the development of new active ingredients for targeted therapies. The active ingredient for cancer is used primarily in the manufacture of chemotherapeutics and biological drugs, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) for the treatment of breast cancer with HER-2 overexpression. The growing trend towards individualized medicine and the regulatory support for faster drug approvals are boosting the market. And continuous manufacturing and advanced analytics are shaping the development of this market, which will lead to higher quality and shorter time to market for new cancer therapies.

Future Outlook

The cancer market for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) will show significant growth between 2024 and 2035, from an estimated value of $ 43.64 billion to $ 70 billion, with a CAGR of 4.48%. This growth is based on the increase in the world's cancer rate, the development of biotechnology, and the large number of new drugs in development. As the world population ages and the number of people with lifestyle-related cancers increases, the demand for effective treatments for cancer will increase, and the demand for high-quality APIs will increase, especially in the area of targeted therapies and individualized medicine. Artificial intelligence and the development of biopharmaceuticals will increase the efficiency of the production of new drugs and reduce the time to market for new drugs. Further, the regulatory environment will be more conducive to the development of new drugs. In the meantime, the emergence of biosimilars and the trend of sustainable development will also affect the competitiveness of the active pharmaceutical ingredient market. The penetration of advanced active pharmaceutical ingredients into cancer treatments is expected to increase significantly by 2035, as both patients and health care workers have a higher acceptance of the new drug.