The global pemetrexed market size was valued at USD 2.27 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 2.61 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 1.6% during the forecast period (2023-2031).
Pemetrexed disodium is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The generic version of the drug is named pemetrexed. Currently, it is available in powder form, which is then converted to a solution for intravenous infusion. According to Cancer Research U.K., lung cancer is the third most prevalent in the U.K, which accounts for approximately 13% of all the new cancer cases occurring in a year. Moreover, it was the second most common cancer type in males, as 24,500 new cases were registered in 2015. Over the last decade, the prevalence of cancer has increased by 3%, which, in turn, has influenced the pemetrexed market in the U.K.
The market for pemetrexed is expanding at a robust pace owing to a surge in the intake of chemotherapy drugs, rising demand for cancer treatment, and high prevalence of lung cancer. According to The American Cancer Society, about 235,760 new cases of lung cancer are estimated to be recorded in the U.S in 2021. Moreover, about 131,880 deaths from lung cancer are estimated in the U.S. Surge in the prevalence of lung cancer is estimated to boost the demand for pemetrexed as medication for the treatment of cancer.
The rising incidence of non-small cell lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma is anticipated to propel global pemetrexed market growth during the forecast period. According to data published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, an oncology organization, in January 2018, approximately 234,030 adults (121,680 men and 112,350 women) were diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States, with non-small cell lung cancer accounting for 80% to 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses.
Furthermore, key market players are committed to expanding the indications of their pemetrexed drugs in order to increase sales and generate high revenues.
The side effects related to pemetrexed can worsen the condition of patients. Pemetrexed can cause loosening of the skin, blistering, peeling, skin rashes, sores, serious lung or breathing problems, and red skin lesions. Several patients who faced certain side effects may not opt for the pemetrexed medications the next time, resulting in a slowdown of the pemetrexed market.
A surge in R&D activities, as well as the introduction of new advanced therapies and products for lung cancer, as well as the presence of promising government initiatives are expected to provide opportunities for the pemetrexed market during the forecast period. Sandoz announces the E.U. launch of ready-to-dilute generic Pemetrexed in 2021 to treat the most common type of lung cancer. The new ready-to-dilute format and 1,000 mg strength option eliminate unnecessary handling steps, lowering contamination risks and patient wait times.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 1.6% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 2.27 Billion |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 2.61 Billion |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
The global pemetrexed market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
North America is the most significant shareholder in the global Pemetrexed market and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. The prevalence of lung cancer patients in the U.S. is increasing rapidly as a result of increasing pollution levels, changing lifestyles, and constantly increasing demand for pemetrexed in the U.S. oncology market due to the high efficiency of the drug. The increase in mesothelioma, which is rare cancer, approximately 2,875 cases was reported in the United States in 2018. Frequent exposure to asbestos causes most cases of mesothelioma in the USA, due to which the requirement for pemetrexed medications has increased in the region.
Europe is anticipated to account for an optimum share of the global pemetrexed market owing to the significant presence of Eli Lilly and Company in the region, which has exclusivity patented pemetrexed in the U.K till 2021. Lung cancer accounts for 11.6% of the 18.1 million new cancer cases and 18.4% of cancer deaths worldwide, with over 2,000,000 incidental cases and 1,760,000 deaths. Lung cancer accounts for 3% of all causes of death in Europe and approximately 20% of cancer deaths, with women accounting for one-third of all cases. The approximate number of European residents dying from lung cancer in 2018 was 387,913, with one death every 83 seconds. Growing demand for the drug in chemotherapy treatments for lung cancer is escalating the regional growth further.
The Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region for the pemetrexed market on account of the growing number of cancer patients in the region. For instance, the large production of raw chemical materials in China has increased the prevalence of lung cancer. According to researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India is likely to see a seven-fold increase in lung cancer cases by 2025 compared to a decade ago, owing to a lack of a population-level diagnostic tool to identify such patients. Increasing pollution levels in northern India are anticipated to increase the cases of lung cancer, which will drive the growth of the pemetrexed market. In South Korea, lung cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths. Despite the fact that smoking rates have declined over time, the incidence of lung cancer remains high. As reported by the Korea Central Cancer Registry, lung cancer was the third most common type of cancer in 2017 (11.6%, 26,985 patients, 69% male, 31% female) after stomach and colon cancers.
LAMEA is anticipated to account for the least market share with a sluggish growth rate due to poor healthcare infrastructure and the low income of people in Africa. Limited government support for cancer treatment has been restraining the market growth in the region for the last decade. However, significant improvements in the healthcare facilities in Argentina and Brazil are anticipated to flourish market growth to some extent. Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UAE. Currently, 60%-80% of cases in the Gulf countries are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with a five-year survival rate of 10-20%.
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The global Pemetrexed market is segmented by application and end user.
Based on application, the global pemetrexed market is bifurcated into malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-squamous NSCLC.
The malignant pleural mesothelioma segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period owing to the high prevalence of lung cancer in developed and developing regions. Asbestos is most likely the only known physical agent that is a leading cause of human cancer, in this case, malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Another unique characteristic of asbestos-related MPM is that the threat in persons exposed does not appear to decrease after asbestos exposure is discontinued.
The non-squamous segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR due to increased smoking among youngsters and women and increasing pollution causing lung cancer. NSCLC accounts for 80% to 85% of all lung cancers. NSCLC is classified into three subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. This type of lung cancer is most common in people who smoke or used to smoke, but it is also the most common form of cancer in people who do not smoke. It is more prevalent in women than in men, and it occurs at a younger age than other kinds of lung cancer.
Based on end-user, the global pemetrexed market is bifurcated into hospitals/clinics, oncology centers, offline pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others.
The hospital/clinics segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing number of hospitals and clinics across the globe. The increasing cases of cancer worldwide drives the demand for hospital and clinics for treatment with pemetrexed medications.
The oncology centers segment is expected to grow at a significant rate. The increasing demand for specialized care for cancer patients is increasing the demand for oncology centers for diagnosis and treatment. In 2019, there were 23.6 million new cancer diagnoses and 10 million cancer deaths which are continuously increasing due to unhealthy habits and increasing pollution. Therefore, the need for oncology centers is increasing throughout the forecast period.
