Antibody-drug Conjugates - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2024 - 2029

The Antibody-drug Conjugates Market size is estimated at USD 12.05 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 44.05 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 29.57% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the antibody-drug conjugates market since many cancer consultations and treatments were postponed or canceled due to the lockdown restrictions. For instance, according to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom, in 2023, there was a shortfall in cancer treatments during the pandemic, driven by a sharp drop in urgent referrals as people needed the stay-at-home due to the lockdown restrictions, which significantly reduced the demand for overall cancer therapies including antibody-drug conjugates.

Moreover, according to the Annual Report 2022 of Seagen Inc., a leading manufacturer of antibody-drug conjugates, the COVID-19 pandemic had adverse impacts on the company's business, including commercialization efforts, supply chain, regulatory activities, clinical development activities, and others. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the business operations of antibody-drug conjugate manufacturing companies, thus impacting the sale of antibody-drug conjugates. However, the increasing approvals and launches of antibody-drug conjugates in the post-pandemic period attain growth in the market over the coming years.

The major factors responsible for the growth of the antibody-drug conjugates market include the growing prevalence of cancer, the increasing geriatric population, and increasing R&D activities for the development of novel therapeutics. Antibody-drug conjugates offer one of the most effective treatments for cancer patients. They can exploit the specificity of monoclonal antibodies toward targeted antigens for the release of potential cytotoxic drugs, with increased activity and decreased toxicity as compared to chemotherapies.

The rising incidence of cancer in various countries increases the usage of antibody-drug conjugates for treatment. For instance, according to the May 2022 update by the Canadian Cancer Society, 28,600 Canadian women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, representing 25% of all new cancer cases in women in 2022. Also, on average, 78 Canadian women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer daily in 2022. Thus, owing to the high prevalence and increase in the probability of acquiring breast cancer among females, the demand for antibody-drug conjugates is likely to rise, fueling the market growth over the forecast period.

The increasing investments in the market are expected to boost the antibody-drug conjugates pipeline and expand its applications, which may positively impact the market's growth. For instance, in June 2022, Spirea Limited secured funding of GBP 2.4 (USD 3.06) million with investments from high-profile investors from the United Kingdom and the United States. The company uses these funds to initiate its pipeline of superior and differentiated antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of solid tumors, thereby contributing to the growth of the market.

However, the stringent government regulations and high manufacturing costs of antibody drug conjugates are expected to restrain the market's growth over the forecast period.

Antibody Drug Conjugates Market Trends

Breast Cancer Segment accounted for the Largest Share of the Market

• The breast cancer segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the rising incidences of breast cancer worldwide. In addition, the growing product approvals and launches and ongoing clinical trials for breast cancers using antibody-drug conjugates contribute to market growth over the forecast period.
• The success of antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer has led to many new drug clinical studies that are likely to boost the market's growth. For instance, the study published in the Journal of Cancer Research in February 2022 reported the most promising new antibody-drug conjugates, which appear to be the TROP2-directed datopotamab deruxtecan, has shown encouraging early-phase activity in advanced relapsed/refractory HER2-negative breast cancer.
• Similarly, in March 2023, Ambrx Biopharma Inc. was informed by its partner, NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., that an interim analysis for ACE-Breast-02, a randomized Phase 3 breast cancer clinical trial investigating Ambrx's ARX788, an anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), has met its pre-specified interim primary efficacy endpoint with statistical significance, demonstrating a greater progression-free survival (PFS) benefit compared to the active control. Thus, such clinical trials are leading to the development of better antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of breast cancer.
• The new approvals and launches of antibody-drug conjugates for breast cancers increase the demand for this drug, which likely boosts the segment growth over the study period. For instance, in February 2023, Gilead Sciences, Inc. received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
• Thus, the increasing R&D for breast cancer treatment and product approvals are anticipated to increase the use of antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of breast cancer, thus boosting the segment's growth over the forecast period.

North America is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period

• North America is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to rising cancer cases and technological developments. The region is observing significant growth due to technological advancements, the local presence of key players, and strategic initiatives by leaders in countries such as the United States and Canada. In April 2021, Pfizer acquired Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. to develop antibody-drug conjugates and several other therapies for cancer.
• North American countries are marked by high cancer cases. The increasing number of cancer cases is driving the growth of the market in the region. For instance, according to the 2021 and 2023 statistics published by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the incidence of cancer cases is estimated to increase from 1.91 million in 2021 to 1.96 million in 2023, an increase of more than 60 thousand cases in just two years, demonstrating a rapid increase in the incidence of cancer cases in the country. The chance of an increase in the incidence of cancer is likely to be high in the country, thus raising the demand for advanced oncology treatment, which ultimately boosts the market growth.
• The market players are expanding the antibody-drug conjugate portfolio with partnerships and new product approvals, which are expected to have significant growth in the market. For instance, in February 2023, Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with CSPC Megalith Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited, for the development and commercialization of CRB-701 (SYS6002). The agreement covers exclusive commercialization rights to CRB-701 in the United States and Canada. In addition, in February 2022, Adcentrx Therapeutics and AvantGen entered a three-year, multi-target partnership for the discovery of antibodies to be developed into novel antibody-drug conjugates therapeutic candidates.
• Thus, owing to the growing number of cancer cases and strategic partnerships among the key players, along with regulatory approvals, the North American antibody drug conjugates market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

Antibody Drug Conjugates Industry Overview

The antibody-drug conjugates market is slightly fragmented in nature and competitive due to the presence of several companies across the globe. The competitive landscape includes an analysis of a few international and local companies that hold major market shares, including Seagen Inc., ImmunoGen Inc., Pfizer Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Gilead Sciences Inc, and others.

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