USD 29 billion
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market size was valued at USD 29 billion in 2021 and is poised to grow from USD 30.6 billion in 2022 to USD 52.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% in the forecast period (2023-2030).
Pharmaceutical intermediates are drugs that are used as raw materials in the manufacture of bulk drugs. They are commonly used to refer to the material formed during the synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) prior to the processing of the API. These are usually made from high-quality basic ingredients. The intermediates are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The global market is developing due to the increasing demand in these industries. These are widely used for research and development in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical intermediates are produced using basic materials such as coal tar or petroleum to make pesticides, drugs, resins, additives, plasticizers, and other products. However, various intermediate products can be produced during organic synthesis and used to make various drugs.
Increasing production of active pharmaceutical ingredients is driving global pharmaceutical intermediates market. The growing trend of high-tech therapies with advanced delivery systems and the development of personalized and customized medicines are increasing the demand for active pharmaceutical ingredients worldwide. The high cost associated with the acquisition of biopharmaceutical drugs is a major factor hampering the growth of global market. Also, the high capital investment required for the production of APIs is a major restraining factor that may hamper market growth. The introduction of new technologies in the pharmaceutical industry for manufacturing various drugs, as well as increased investment in research activities, is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for the market in the coming years.
US Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market is poised to grow at a sustainable CAGR for the next forecast year.
Global Market Size
USD 29 billion
Largest Segment
Bulk drug intermediates
Fastest Growth
Custom intermediates
Growth Rate
6.3% CAGR
Global pharmaceutical intermediates market is segmented on the basis of product, application, and region. On the basis of product, global market is segmented into chemical intermediates, bulk drug intermediates and custom intermediates. On the basis of application, global market is segmented into, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drug, cardiovascular drugs, anti-diabetic drugs and anti-cancer drugs. On the basis of region, global market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Analysis by Product
On the basis of product, global pharmaceutical intermediates market is segmented into chemical intermediates, bulk drug intermediates and custom intermediates. Based on product, the bulk drug intermediates segment accounted for the largest revenue share. Bulk drug intermediates are widely used in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). API is the key ingredient used in the production of drugs that gives the targeted therapeutic effect. Also, government initiatives to promote and develop bulk drug parks are expected to drive the growth of this segment.
Custom intermediate is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Custom drug intermediates are the customization of specific molecules to a specific amount to achieve a desired therapeutic effect or outcome. This segment is gradually gaining popularity in the market.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Analysis by Application
On the basis of application, global pharmaceutical intermediates market is segmented into, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drug, cardiovascular drugs, anti-diabetic drugs and anti-cancer drugs. The analgesics segment accounted for around 30% of global pharmaceutical intermediates market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Analgesics are frequently used to relieve pain. The increased incidence of chronic diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease is driving this segment.
The anti-cancer drugs are expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. This is due to the rising incidence of cancer among the global population. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there will be around 19.3 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths worldwide in 2020. Therefore, this segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment.
On the basis of region, global pharmaceutical intermediates market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA. North America dominated the global pharmaceutical intermediates market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. North America is dominating the market due to the presence of various pharmaceutical companies, research centres, and laboratories, and rapidly growing CMOs & CROs in the US and Canada. Also, rising investments by the government and private players to boost the growth of the market.
Asia Pacific is expected to be the most competitive market during the forecast period. Increasing investment by market players to set up manufacturing facilities in countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore is fuelling the growth of the pharmaceutical intermediates market over the forecast period due to the easy and cheap availability of product ingredients and favourable government policies.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Driver
The constantly increasing incidences of chronic diseases, as well as the aging population worldwide, are major factors that are expected to increase the need for drug formulations for the management of chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of diabetes has increased from 108.0 million in 1980 to 422.0 million in 2014, and this number continues to rise. Also, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of chronic diseases is expected to increase by 57% by 2020, indicating that a significant percentage of the population is suffering from chronic diseases. All these factors are driving the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Leading pharmaceutical companies in the pharmaceutical intermediates market have announced their intentions to invest in manufacturing facilities for various reasons, including increasing pharmaceutical intermediate production capacity, reducing corporate tax rates, and expanding their global footprint and presence in emerging economies. In July 2018, Pfizer invested USD 465.0 million to build a sterile injectable plant in Portage, Michigan. This is part of its earlier announcement in 2018 of plans to invest approximately USD 5 billion in US-based capital projects as a result of the country's recent corporate tax reforms. These factors will drive the expansion of the market during the forecast period.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Restraint
The high cost associated with the acquisition of biopharmaceutical drugs is a major factor hampering the growth of global pharmaceutical intermediates market. Also, the high capital investment required for the production of APIs is a major restraining factor that may hamper market growth.
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Global pharmaceutical intermediates market is highly competitive with the presence of local as well as global companies. The major players are adopting several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, which are contributing to the growth of global pharmaceutical intermediates market.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Top Player's Company Profiles
Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Recent Developments
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According to our global pharmaceutical intermediates market analysis, on the basis of product segmentation, the bulk drug intermediates segment accounted for the largest revenue share. By application segment, the analgesics segment accounted for around 30% of global market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. North America dominated the global market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The rise in chronic cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and coronary artery disease is a major trend in global market. However, the high cost associated with the acquisition of biopharmaceutical drugs is a major factor hampering the growth of global market.