Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) Market Overview

The global artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) market size is valued at USD 680.15 million in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 1394.93 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.35% during the forecast period. The remarkable market growth is driven by the expanding government-supported malaria eradication programs and growing adoption of artemisinin-based therapies as the standard of care across endemic regions.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America dominated the global market, accounting for 40.17% share in 2025.
• The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the fastest pace, with a CAGR of 10.34% during the forecast period.
• Based on type, the artemether + lumefantrine segment held the highest market share in 2025, with a revenue share of 38.23%.
• On the basis of distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 48.52%.
• The U.S. dominates the market, valued at USD 237.07 million in 2024 and reaching USD 255.84 million in 2025.

Table: U.S. Artemisinin Combination Therapy Market Size (USD Million)

Source: Straits Research

Market Size & Forecast

• 2025 Market Size: USD 680.15 million
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 1394.93 million
• CAGR (2026-2034): 8.35%
• Dominating Region: North America
• Fastest-Growing Region: Asia Pacific

The artemisinin combination therapy market encompasses a range of pharmaceutical formulations designed for the treatment of malaria through the synergistic use of artemisinin derivatives and partner drugs. The market includes various combination types such as Artemether+Lumefantrine, Artesunate+Amodiaquine, Dihydroartemisinin+Piperaquine, Artesunate+Mefloquine, Artesunate+Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, Pyronaridine-Artesunate, and other formulations aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy and minimising drug resistance. These therapies are distributed through multiple channels, including hospital pharmacies, online pharmacies, and drug stores & retail pharmacies, ensuring broad accessibility across both public and private healthcare systems globally.

Latest Market Trends

Emergence of Triple Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (TACTs)

A major trend in the artemisinin combination therapy market is the growing focus on triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) to overcome emerging resistance to traditional ACTs. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are developing formulations that combine an artemisinin derivative with two partner drugs to enhance efficacy and delay resistance. Clinical studies supported by the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit showed that triple combinations such as artemether lumefantrine amodiaquine improved treatment outcomes in multidrug-resistant malaria regions. This advancement is expected to redefine malaria treatment protocols, particularly in high-burden countries.

Expansion of WHO Prequalified Manufacturing and Local Production Initiatives

The major trend is the expansion of WHO prequalified ACT manufacturing in endemic regions to strengthen drug availability and supply chain stability. Local production initiatives in Africa and Southeast Asia are reducing dependency on imported medicines while ensuring consistent quality and affordability. For instance, partnerships between international health agencies and regional producers have led to the establishment of GMP-certified facilities capable of large-scale ACT production, aligning with global malaria elimination strategies.

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Market Driver

Increasing Pediatric Formulation Development

The artemisinin combination therapy market is being driven by the increasing focus on developing pediatric-friendly formulations that enhance treatment accessibility and adherence among children in malaria-endemic regions. Companies are prioritizing age-appropriate dosage forms such as granules, syrups, and dispersible tablets to ensure easier administration and accurate dosing for young patients. For instance, Cipla introduced pediatric formulations of artemether lumefantrine tailored for children under five years of age, improving compliance and clinical outcomes. This growing emphasis on child-specific therapies is expanding treatment coverage, supporting early intervention programs, and contributing to global malaria reduction effort.

Market Restraints

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Limited Cold Chain Infrastructure

The artemisinin combination therapy market faces challenges due to persistent supply chain inefficiencies and inadequate cold chain infrastructure, particularly in low and middle income countries. Fluctuations in raw material availability, dependency on seasonal cultivation of Artemisia annua, and logistical barriers often leads to inconsistent drug supply and delayed distribution. Several African and Southeast Asian nations reported disruptions in the delivery of artemisinin-based medicines due to limited temperature controlled storage and transportation systems. These supply chain constraints hindered timely access to essential antimalarial therapies, increased production costs, and pose a major obstacle to maintaining continuous treatment availability in high-burden regions.

Market Opportunity

Development of Fixed Dose Combinations

The development of fixed-dose artemisinin combinations presents a major opportunity for enhancing treatment adherence and expanding market reach. Fixed dose formulations simplify dosing regimens by combining multiple active ingredients into a single tablet, improving patient compliance and minimizing the risk of drug resistance. For instance, Novartis and Ipca Laboratories invested in the development of optimized fixed-dose artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine combinations to support large-scale malaria elimination initiatives. These advancements streamlined manufacturing, reduced distribution complexities, and strengthened the therapeutic value of ACTs in both public and private healthcare programs globally.

Regional Analysis

The North America region accounted for a major share of 40.17% in the artemisinin combination therapy market in 2025. The region’s growth is driven by strong participation in malaria research, formulation development, and international health partnerships aimed at combating drug-resistant malaria strains.

Canada’s artemisinin combination therapy market growth is driven by the expansion of biopharmaceutical collaborations focusing on synthetic artemisinin production technologies. The country’s emphasis on sustainable biomanufacturing processes and academic industry partnerships is strengthening its role in supplying high-quality APIs to malaria-endemic nations.

Asia Pacific Market Insights

Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the artemisinin combination therapy market with a CAGR of 10.34%, supported by its dominant position in raw material production and pharmaceutical exports. Countries such as China, India, and Vietnam are leading in Artemisia annua cultivation and downstream synthesis of artemisinin derivatives, ensuring cost-efficient and large-scale production capacity.

India’s artemisinin combination therapy market is witnessing strong momentum due to the government’s National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) and increasing domestic manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative. The country’s potent generic pharmaceutical sector, combined with local distribution networks targeting rural endemic zones, is accelerating the adoption of affordable ACT treatments nationwide.

Regional Market share (%) in 2025

Source: Straits Research

Europe Market Insights

Europe is experiencing consistent growth in the artemisinin combination therapy market, supported by strong R&D capabilities, stringent quality standards, and strategic involvement in international health initiatives. European pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in the development of next-generation ACTs to address resistance issues and optimize treatment outcomes for pediatric and pregnant populations.

France’s artemisinin combination therapy market growth is propelled by active participation in global procurement programs such as the Global Fund and Unitaid. The presence of advanced drug formulation facilities and ongoing government support for malaria research initiatives are enhancing France’s role as a key exporter of high-quality ACT formulations.

Latin America Market Insights

The Latin America artemisinin combination therapy market is expanding steadily, driven by targeted malaria elimination programs and increasing regional funding for disease surveillance. Countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Colombia are enhancing access to ACTs through integrated healthcare systems and region-specific treatment campaigns aimed at reducing transmission in border areas.

Brazil’s artemisinin combination therapy market growth is influenced by local production of antimalarial medicines through public-private partnerships between Fiocruz and international health agencies. The country’s implementation of digital disease-tracking platforms and improved medicine procurement processes is supporting efficient ACT deployment in high burden regions.

Middle East and Africa Market Insights

The market in the Middle East and Africa region is driven by extensive donor funding and national-scale treatment programs. Expanding access through community-based distribution systems and widespread use of WHO-prequalified ACT brands are ensuring broad treatment coverage across endemic countries.

South Africa’s artemisinin combination therapy market is growing due to government-led malaria control strategies focused on cross-border collaboration with Mozambique and Eswatini. The establishment of regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs and training initiatives for healthcare workers is improving ACT availability and strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure.

Type Insights

The Artemether + Lumefantrine segment dominated the artemisinin combination therapy market with a revenue share of 38.23%, primarily due to its widespread adoption as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria across Africa and Asia-Pacific. Its proven efficacy, WHO prequalification, and inclusion in national malaria control guidelines have contributed to its leading market share.

The Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 9.26% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by its extended post-treatment prophylactic effect, favorable safety profile, and increasing preference in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa to counter rising resistance to older ACT combinations.

Source: Straits Research

Distribution Channel Insights

The Hospital Pharmacies segment dominated the market in 2025 with a revenue share of 48.52%, owing to the high volume of ACT prescriptions for in-patient and severe malaria cases. Hospitals play a critical role in administering ACTs under clinical supervision, especially in regions with established healthcare infrastructures such as urban Africa and Southeast Asia.

The Online Pharmacies segment is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 9.82% during the forecast period, driven by the increasing digitalization of healthcare, improved logistics for temperature-stable formulations, and expanding e-pharmacy networks in emerging economies such as India, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Competitive Landscape

The global artemisinin combination therapy market is moderately fragmented, comprising a mix of established pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology innovators, and regional producers focused on the development, extraction, and synthesis of artemisinin derivatives and combination therapies.

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd.: An emerging market player

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., a global innovation-driven pharmaceutical and healthcare enterprise headquartered in China, is emerging as a key player in the artemisinin combination therapy market. The company is focused on improving access to affordable and high-quality antimalarial treatments across Africa and other malaria-endemic regions through its diversified product portfolio and strategic regional investments.

• In April 2024, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical（Group）, Ltd., expanded its malaria treatment portfolio by introducing its self-developed artesunate injection (Argesun), which reduced preparation time from three minutes to one minute and standardized concentration for both intravenous and intramuscular administration, enhancing treatment safety, dosing precision, and clinical convenience. This innovation strengthened the company’s position in the market and reinforced its commitment to improving therapeutic outcomes in global malaria control programs.

List of key players in Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) Market

1. Sanofi
2. PATH
3. KPC Pharmaceuticals, Inc
4. Guilin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
5. Calyx Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
6. Novartis AG
7. Ipca Laboratories Ltd.
8. Cipla Inc.
9. CO, LTD
10. AdvaCare Pharma
11. Ajanta Pharma Ltd.
12. Mylan N.V.
13. Strides Pharma Science Limited
14. Zydus Cadila
15. Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited
16. Bayer AG
17. GSK plc
18. Pfizer Inc
19. Others

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Strategic Initiatives

• July 2025: Novartis received the Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) approval by Swissmedic as the first malaria medicine for newborns and young infants.
• August 2025: Unitaid and Jhpiego launched Scaling the Optimal Use of Multiple ACTs to Prevent Antimalarial Drug Resistance (STOP-AMDR), a USD 26.5 million initiative that aimed to protect the efficiency of existing treatments by supporting the introduction and scale-up of multiple first-line therapies.