HIV Drugs Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Integrase Inhibitors, Non- Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), Combination HIV Medicines, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global HIV drugs market size was USD 34.13 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from USD 36.11 billion in 2024 to USD 58.24 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is considered to be one of the most serious and chronic diseases caused due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is a viral infection that transmits via exposure to HIV-infected blood, semen, breast milk, and other infected agents. The prevalence of HIV is surging at a significant rate. As per data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2023, an estimated 39.0 million individuals were living with a HIV infection at the end of year 2022. This has resulted in greater and increasing awareness among people, leading to an increase in testing procedures. This has subsequently led to a surge in demand for HIV medications with high potency for the treatment and management of the disorder.

The increasing patient population, coupled with new product launches, is likely to fuel the market growth. Significant research and development, promotion of government-run awareness programs, the launch of new products, and increasing market penetration by key companies in developing regions are contributing to the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic had adversely impacted the growth of this market due to the disruption and volatility in the supply of drugs. Furthermore, the decreasing number of new patient prescriptions in the U.S., Europe, and other COVID impacted regions/countries has reduced the demand for antiretroviral and antibiotic products globally.

Most of the companies had reported an adverse impact of the pandemic on the sales of HIV/AIDS drugs. For instance, Gilead Sciences Inc., one of the leading antiretroviral drug companies, reported that the sales of its HIV medications had decreased due to the lower sales volume of Truvada. Similarly, Theratechnologies Inc. reported a decrease in the sales of HIV drugs such as Trogarzo in the highly COVID impacted countries, which includes regions such as the European Union due to strict lockdown measures imposed in many European countries.  

However with the prescription volume returning to pre-pandemic level, the market witnessed a strong growth post pandemic and is anticipated to grow substantially throughout the forecast period of 2024-2032.

HIV Drugs Market Trends

Increasing R&D Initiatives for the Development of Long-acting Suppression Antiretroviral Therapy is a Vital Trend

Some of the trends in the global market include the development of antiretroviral therapy as a long-acting suppression (ATLAS) and a first long-acting injectable formulation. The new ATLAS regimens are a convenient treatment option as the once-a-month dosage has become available for a substantial number of patients, and, as a result, physicians anticipate that the compliance rates will improve.

The new complete long-acting regimen is a combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine, which can act as an alternative option for the existing HIV drugs. The new injectable formulation has now entered the global market and has increased the standard of care when compared with the most commonly prescribed HIV drugs. This new treatment reduces the dosing days from 365 days to 12 days each year. The new drug includes Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine), which is manufactured by ViiV Healthcare. The U.S. FDA approved the Cabenuva drug in January 2020. These upcoming new trends in the market will diversify growth during the forecasted period.

HIV Drugs Market Growth Factors

Increasing Number of New Product Launches and Rising Drug Approvals to Boost Growth

The growing emphasis on the research and development (R&D) of HIV drugs has led to numerous drug innovations in recent years. Key companies engaged in these investment initiatives include Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. These companies are focusing on the launch of new innovative products to cater the growing market demand.

• For instance, in August 2023, Aurobindo Pharma announced plans to introduce HIV drug for children in 123 countries. The company along with ViiV Healthcare has a pediatric dolutegravir voluntary license.


• In January 2021, ViiV Healthcare received the U.S. FDA approval for Cabenuva, the first and only complete long-acting regimen combination drug for HIV treatment.


• In September 2019, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., the subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., received the U.S. FDA approval for PIFELTRO and DELSTRIGO combination drugs. These drugs can be used to treat adults with HIV-1.  


• In February 2018, Mylan Inc. announced the launch of Efavirenz tablets in the U.S. Efavirenz tablets are the first generic version of Sustiva. This product is given in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of type 1 HIV infection in adults and pediatric patients.

Along with the strong focus of operating players on the R&D of new drugs, the regulatory agencies are playing an important role by approving these products to reduce the burden of AIDs across the world. Such an increase in the number of product launches in the HIV drugs category will enhance the market growth.

Rising Prevalence of HIV/AIDS to Surge the Market Growth

The increasing prevalence of the disease HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, is one of the major contributing factors anticipated to drive market growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the total HIV infected individuals in 2022, WHO Africa region accounts for two third of them. In 2022, the number of deaths caused by HIV infection was 630,000. Furthermore, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2019, there were approximately 2.2 million individuals with HIV in Western and Central Europe and North America, an estimated 20.7 million people with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa, 5.8 million infected individuals in Asia Pacific, and another 4.9 million individuals across the Western and Central Africa region.

This huge patient population across different regions is creating intense demand for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Additionally, the government is taking steps to improve access to diagnosis and treatment for HIV patients. This is anticipated to drive the global HIV/AIDS drugs market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Access to Treatment and Unawareness of HIV Infection Status May Hinder Growth

Despite the advancements in research and development, improved scientific understanding of HIV, and the availability of treatment methods, there are some restraining factors that are responsible for limiting the market growth. Many people infected with HIV or at risk of an HIV infection do not have access to timely treatment. Furthermore, there is still no cure for this infection. For instance, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), there is an uneven distribution of treatment measures across the globe. The middle-income and developing countries are still facing issues with the availability of adequate treatment options, which would hamper the HIV drugs market growth.

Additionally, many people are unaware of their HIV infection status. According to a study conducted by BioMed Central Ltd. in Europe, it was reported that amongst the 467 participants, one-third of the participants who were living with HIV were unaware of their infections. The uneven availability of treatment of HIV and unawareness about the HIV infection is expected to hinder the market growth.

HIV Drugs Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type Analysis

Combination HIV Medicines Segment to Grow at a Faster Pace during the Forecast Period

On the basis of the Product type, the market can be segmented into combination HIV medicines, integrase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and others.

The combination HIV medicines segment is anticipated to dominate the market. This dominance is owing to the increasing demand for this product type due to better results in the management of HIV & co-related infections. Furthermore, this product type comprises the most advanced technology for the treatment of HIV infections. 

The integrase inhibitors segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2023 as it is the first line of treatment for HIV, which supports the segmental growth. According to the International AIDS Society (IAS), integrase inhibitors are recommended as the initial treatments for new HIV infection. The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors segment (NRTIs) accounts for the lowest market share as there is a considerably lesser demand for this product type in comparison to the recently innovative drug launches.                                                                   

The others segments include protease inhibitors (PIs), fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, post-attachment inhibitors, pharmacokinetic enhancers, and other Product Typees.               

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Hospital Pharmacies Segment to Hold the Dominant Share during the Forecast Period

Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others.

The hospital pharmacies segment is projected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the rising patient visits to hospitals for the treatment of HIV. Furthermore, the increasing sales of prescribed antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment from hospital pharmacies would support the segmental growth.

The rising number of retail pharmacies offering HIV medications and the high preference to buy oral drugs from retail pharmacies on a regular basis contribute to the segmental growth. The online pharmacies segment would grow at a lucrative CAGR owing to the increased internet penetration and availability of HIV medications on online pharmacies. The others segment includes other channels that are used to obtain HIV drugs, such as various government-run health centers.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

On the basis of region, the global market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world.

North America is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period, with a market size of USD 24.09 billion in 2023. The domination by this region is attributed to the increasing prevalence of HIV infection amongst the U.S. population. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2021, approximately 1.2 million individuals at the end of 2018 were living with HIV. Such a high patient population base significantly increases the demand for HIV drugs. Another factor contributing to the regional growth is the awareness amongst the population. Also, the presence of key players offering innovative HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV infection would further enhance the market growth.

Europe is expected to be the second-largest market during the forecast period owing to the increasing cases of HIV infections and the presence of a large number of HIV drugs companies in this region. Furthermore, the rising strategic collaborations amongst the European companies will improve drug availability, which will support the market growth in this region. For instance, in July 2020, Theratechnologies Europe Limited, a European subsidiary of Theratechnologies Inc., collaborated with Loxxess for the distribution of Trogarzo, an antiretroviral drug across Europe.

The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market with the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the highly populated countries, such as China and India, with a large number of HIV patients. Furthermore, the increasing number of treatment programs and surging funding from the private sector and healthcare companies are anticipated to drive the market. For instance, in December 2020, Gilead Sciences, Inc., one of the leading antiretroviral drug companies, announced the grant of USD 1.4 million for its ‘Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant Program’ in Asia Pacific. The program is a part of Gilead's initiative to improve public-private partnerships in the Asia Pacific region for the resolving of challenges faced by HIV-infected patients.

The rest of the world, which includes regions of Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, are projected to account for low market shares due to the unavailability of technologically superior HIV drugs, poor healthcare standards, and comparatively limited healthcare expenditure. But, these regions comprise a good growth potential for the market in the forecast period as they account for a large number of HIV patients.

List of Key Companies in HIV Drugs Market

Robust HIV/AIDS Drugs Portfolios of ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences to Lead to Their Market Dominance

The competitive landscape for the global HIV drugs market has the presence of key market players, such as ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Merck. These companies comprise a major proportion of the market. These key players dominate the global market owing to their strong sales of antiretroviral drugs with new product launches and strategic collaborations for the enlargement of their product portfolios. For instance, in March 2021, Gilead Sciences Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme entered into an agreement for the co-development and co-commercialization of long-acting treatment with the combinations of Islatravir and Lenacapavir for HIV patients.

The other prominent players in the global market include Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Theratechnologies Inc., Viatris (Mylan Pharmaceuticals), Genentech, AbbVie, and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. These companies are also likely to enhance their market growth in the forecast period to strengthen their positions.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ViiV Healthcare (U.S.)


• Gilead Sciences, Inc. (U.S.)


• GlaxoSmithKline plc (U.K.)


• Merck & Co., Inc. (Germany)


• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (U.S.)


• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) (U.S.)


• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Germany)


• AbbVie Inc. (U.S.)


• F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Genentech, Inc.) (U.S.)


• Mylan N.V. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023 -  Zydus Lifesciences Limited received the U.S. FDA approval for Darunavir Tablets 600 mg and 800 mg tablets to treat HIV-1 infection


• June 2023 – Lupin Limited announced the introduction of Darunavir Tablets, 600 mg and 800 mg in the U.S. market. This drug is a generic version of Prezista Tablets of Janssen Products, LP.


• February 2022 - ViiV Healthcare received the U.S. FDA approval Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine) for the treatment of individuals having HIV infection.


• January 2021 – The U.S. FDA announced the approval of Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine, injectable formulation) as a complete regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults as a replacement for a current antiretroviral regimen.


• December 2019 – Hetero, an India-based generic pharmaceutical company, announced the launch of ‘TAFFIC’ in India. The product is the generic version of Gilead’s Biktarvy.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global HIV drugs market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects, such as the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS by key countries, industry trends, pipeline analysis, and regional analysis. Additionally, it covers industrial insights and key development, such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new product launches by key players. In addition, the report offers current market trends and highlights key industry dynamics.

Report Scope & Segmentation