Drug Delivery Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Route of Administration (Injectable, Inhalation, Topical & Transdermal, Oral and Others), By Type (Conventional and Advanced), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

The global drug delivery market size stood at USD 1,021.29 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 1,801.54 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical industry is evolving at a rapid rate and experiencing fierce competition. These challenges have resulted in rise in demand for biologics drugs for treatment of various diseases. Demand for user-friendly devices enabled with smart technology, large-volume drug dose delivery, and lesser side effects will drive the   growth during the forecast period. Additionally, the penetration of healthcare start-ups will promote innovations in emerging as well as developed nations, thereby contributing to earning large market size. Higher investments for nanotechnology-based devices coupled with shift towards home-based care, is anticipated to mark high growth in the near future.

MARKET TRENDS

Manufacturer’s Focus Towards Digitalization to Spur the Market

Previously, pharmaceutical manufacturers focused on delivering the right drug molecule and often decided the delivery mode later. But nowadays, manufacturers have started considering delivery of the drug earlier. This has given rise to the digitalization trend in the pharmaceutical industry. The digital experience is unrolling into the medication delivery space in the form of apps, adherence, wellness, and education. The digital aspect for medication delivery is helping patient population by ensuring that the patients receive the proper therapeutic dose for their diagnosed condition. This is driving the need for novel and smart medicine delivery in the market such as wearables. For example, Insulet Corporation’s Omnipod, a wearable device indicated for diabetes management, is a smart, waterproof and discreet device that allows patients and caregivers a peace of mind.

MARKET DRIVERS

Launch of Innovative Products to Fuel the Market

Introduction of new products with large volume doses, smart technology, and user-friendly attributes have resulted in increasing the demand for advanced drug administration. The popularity of ocular inserts, insulin jet, wearables, and others is increasing as innovative product launches have provided greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. Significant investments made by the producers in understanding the needs of the patients and introducing products that match the patient’s requirements is projected to augment the drug delivery market growth. For example, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., in October 2019, launched NovaPure 3ml cartridge for the delivery of higher volume injectable medicine delivery.

Patient Shift Towards Adoption of Advanced Drug Administration Systems to Increase Market Value

Rising patient preference from conventional drug dispensing to acceptance of advanced drug administration is anticipated to drive the market during the forecast period. The growth of advanced medication delivery is attributable to the advantages provided by the devices such as wearables, auto-injectors, dry powder inhalers, and many others over conventional form of drug dispensing such as injections. Advanced medicine delivery provide needle-free drug dispensing and thus are highly preferred among patients. These devices are portable, smart, and offer the user a greater flexibility along with the advantage of self-administration and self-monitoring attributes.  

MARKET RESTRAINT

Frequent Regulation and Guideline Changes for Combination Products to Hamper the Market Growth

On the regulatory outlook, the regulatory bodies have set stringent regulations for the approval of combination products. They have now focused on analyzing the drug formulations and not only the device efficiency. Due to frequent changes in the regulations, manufacturers find it challenging in launching new product and as well as meeting the patient needs. For example, in November 2019, the U.S FDA issued a new draft guidance for product development and quality consideration of transdermal and topical delivery systems. Such changes are expected to hamper the growth of the market.

SEGMENTATION

By Route of Administration Analysis

Injectable Segment to Register Remarkable Growth

The report focuses on market trends covering different product types that include injectable, inhalation, topical & transdermal, oral, and others. The injectable segment is estimated to dominate the drug delivery market share owing to the system’s ability to deliver drugs to the target site allowing it to be more localized. Also, rising patient preference shift from vial-and-syringe to ready-to-use devices to boost the segment growth.

The others segment is anticipated to hold the second position in the market owing to the investments in R&D for the development of ocular, rectal, and other devices. The topical and transdermal drug delivery segment is anticipated to mark significant growth in the forecast period owing to advancements and advantages provided by the transdermal devices. This includes properties such as avoiding first-pass metabolism, minimizing side effects, increasing patient compliance and avoiding dose dumping.

By Type Analysis

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Advanced Drug Delivery Segment to Emerge as Fastest Growing Segment

Based on type, the market has been segmented into conventional and advanced. Conventional drug delivering systems account for the dominating share in the market. This dominance is attributable to the rising demand for inhalers, injectable, nebulizers, and others. Also, the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, growing hospital admissions, and demand for needle-free drug delivery devices are the factors responsible for the leading position. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 300 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with asthma. Though advanced medication administration has been introduced in the market, injectable, pen-injectors, inhalers are still commonly practiced worldwide.

On the flip side, innovations for nanotechnology-based devices are emerging in the market. Demand for more user-friendly, compatible, and lesser side effects devices are expected to propel the demand for advanced medication delivery in the market. Furthermore, complex disorders such as cancer, and neurological disorders require careful and target-specific medication administration to enhance effective treatment. This is projected to boost the advanced segment in the market during 2019-2026.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Retail Pharmacies to Emerge as the Fastest Growing Segment

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and others. The hospital pharmacies segment accounted for the major portion of the market. Increasing hospital admissions in the emerging nations, as well as advancements in the hospital facilities worldwide, are responsible for high market share earned by the hospital pharmacies segment. The retail pharmacies segment, on the other side is expected to emerge as the fastest growing segment during the forecast period, owing to easy availability of these devices in the pharmacies as well as increased adoption of therapeutics delivery by the retail pharmacies. Additionally, the rising awareness among the patient population about the benefits of inhalers for asthma, growing preference for self-injectable devices and self-monitoring devices will add to the growth of the retail pharmacies segment. Lower adoption of e-commerce and online channel for purchases in the low-income countries is expected to hinder the growth for the others segment during the forecast period.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

North America, by generating a revenue of USD 428.0 billion in 2018, accounted for the maximum market share in 2018. Key factors responsible for this dominance are favorable health reimbursement, rising emphasis on elderly care, and greater adoption of the drug delivery by the patient population. Moreover, development of biologics, increasing chronic disorders, and existence of large number of prominent players are the factors augmenting the market in North America. Europe holds the second position in the global market. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is the major factor responsible to drive the European market growth. This, coupled with the penetration of big pharma companies in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, and others is expected to drive this market growth. Asia Pacific is anticipated to register highest CAGR. Rising population in countries such as China and India, huge number of potential users, and the increasing awareness about the benefits of drug delivery in the emerging nations are the major factors boosting the market in Asia-Pacific. The market in Latin America and Middle East and Africa are in nascent stage. However, developing healthcare infrastructure in these regions are likely to help the respective markets witness considerable growth during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Continuous Investments in Development of Drug Delivery and New Product Launches by Key Players Will Intensify Competition

The global market is fragmented in nature with a large number of key players operating worldwide. These companies are making efforts to deliver patient-friendly, therapeutically effective, and smart devices. Key players such as BD, 3M, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Emergent BioSolutions Inc., Insulet Corporation, Consort Medical plc, as well as other prominent players play huge role in bringing up novel and technology-enhanced drug delivery in the market. Merging and acquisitions between the local and multinational players has contributed to the healthy market competition.

Furthermore, delivering and innovation into advanced drug delivery such as nanotechnology-based devices is the upcoming trend adopted by the market players.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• BD


• Emergent Biosolutions Inc.


• Consort Medical plc


• Aptar Pharma


• West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.


• Insulet Corporation


• Nemera


• SHL Medical AG.


• Pfizer Inc.


• Other Prominent Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• In May 2021, Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that they plan to invest around USD 200.0 million on a new facility in Zaragoza, Spain, this new facility will support growth of the pre-filled drug delivery business.


• In May 2020, Kindeva Drug Delivery announced its launch as an independent company after the acquisition by Altaris Capital Partners. Kindeva Drug Delivery was formerly a part of 3M Drug Delivery Systems and is a contract development and manufacturing organization for complex drug delivery.


• In September 2020, Stevanato Group announced that they have entered into a collaboration with Bexson Biomedical, Inc. to develop a customized version of SG EZ-be Pod, a wearable drug delivery device.

REPORT COVERAGE

The drug delivery market report highlights the leading regions across the world that offers a better understanding of the market for the user. Furthermore, the report provides insights into the latest industry trends, new product launches, pipeline analysis and key industry developments such as mergers, acquisition, and partnerships. It further throws light on some of the growth-stimulating factors and restraints, helping the reader to gain in-depth knowledge about the market.

Report Scope and Segmentation