Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market was valued at USD 11.97 billion and is projected to reach a market size of USD 15.86 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1%. 

Several medications are used in colorectal cancer treatment, depending on the kind, stage, and general condition of the patient. Strong medications are used in chemotherapy to target cancer cells, usually as a post-surgery measure to eradicate any leftover ones. Additionally, it can control symptoms in advanced stages or reduce tumors before surgery. Drugs used in targeted treatment focus on certain chemicals that support the development and metastasis of cancer cells; they are especially useful in treating some types of colorectal cancer. Immunotherapy strengthens the body's immune system's capacity to identify and eliminate cancer cells, enabling it to fight cancer. This method is usually applied to spread-affected advanced colorectal cancer.

Key Market Insights:

Targeted treatment and immunotherapy medications are becoming more popular in the market, especially for genetic variants such as dMMR/MSI-H (deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high). In subsequent therapy, the combination of these medications (OVs + ICIs) is demonstrating encouraging results.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have the quickest growth in the market because of factors including expanding healthcare expenditures, an aging population, and more awareness of cancer.
Growth in the market is anticipated to be driven by better diagnostics such as stool testing that enables early detection. Within the diagnostic type of sector, the stool test segment is anticipated to have the greatest CAGR.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Drivers:

The colorectal cancer drug market is revolutionised by the early detection of more cases.

The essential change in the fight against colorectal cancer is early detection. This emphasis results from the knowledge that early diagnosis and treatment greatly increase the chances of both patient survival and treatment effectiveness. Fortunately, patients may now get tested more easily and conveniently thanks to developments in diagnostic techniques. Stool test development is one such instance. With the use of these non-invasive tests, people may be checked out without much difficulty because they can gather samples at home. For the market for drugs to treat colorectal cancer, the greater emphasis on early diagnosis has two drawbacks. It will surely result in the identification of additional instances, on the one hand. However, early identification frequently results in less advanced malignancies, which may mean less forceful and costly therapies are needed. Nonetheless, a general expansion of the industry is anticipated. The overall number of patients in need of therapy will probably exceed the possibility of a reduction in the intensity of treatment per patient as more cases are found. Pharmaceutical firms now have a great chance to discover and produce medications for colorectal cancer.

The rise in colorectal cancer is alarming an ideal storm of unhealthy lifestyles and aging populations leading its drug market growth.

Globally, colorectal cancer is becoming more common and leaving a longer shadow. Two main elements are driving this worrying trend: lifestyle choices and demography. The risk of colorectal cancer increases substantially with worldwide population aging. Over time, cellular mutations occur spontaneously in our bodies and have the potential to cause uncontrolled cell proliferation, a characteristic of cancer. Regretfully, there is a higher likelihood of these alterations in the colon or rectum with advancing age. Lifestyle decisions are also very important. A diet heavy in processed foods, bad fats, and red meat, together with inactivity, all create an environment that is favorable to the development of colorectal cancer. Because obesity is associated with chronic inflammation throughout the body, which can harm cells and raise the risk of cancer, it is especially concerning.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Restraints and Challenges:

Significant treatment costs, especially for more recent and potent medications. Patients and healthcare systems may be strained by this expensive cost, which might restrict access to these life-saving drugs. The cancer cells' gradual development of treatment resistance is another barrier. This implies that once-effective therapies may become ineffective, requiring the time-consuming and costly process of developing new medications. In many areas, colorectal cancer screening rates are stubbornly low despite the emphasis on early detection. The market for medications treating colorectal cancer may be reduced because of missed possibilities for early intervention brought on by social stigma, ignorance, and restricted access to healthcare. Strict regulations protect patient safety, but they can also impede the development of new medicines and put a financial burden on smaller pharmaceutical businesses that are trying to manufacture novel pharmaceuticals.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Opportunities:

The market for drugs treating colorectal cancer is booming with promising prospects. A strong pipeline of new medications, especially immunotherapies and targeted medicines, gives hope for more individualized and maybe less crippling care. This, together with an increasing focus on early diagnosis due to advances in diagnostics, may result in a greater number of patients needing therapy, even if the intensity of each treatment is reduced. Another important area for expansion is the emergence of personalized medicine, in which treatment regimens are customized based on each patient's genetic composition. This strategy can open new markets and greatly increase treatment efficacy. In addition, there is a lot of unrealized potential in areas like Asia-Pacific due to the growing population and rising healthcare costs. Finally, there is a great deal of potential for speeding up drug discovery and development from technical developments like artificial intelligence and big data.

COLORECTAL CANCER DRUG MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Drug Type

• Chemotherapy

  • Alkylating Agents

  • Antimetabolites

  • Plant Alkaloids

  • Topoisomerase Inhibitors

• Targeted Therapy

  • Monoclonal Antibodies

  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

  • mTOR Inhibitors

  • VEGF Inhibitors

  • Small Molecule Inhibitors

• Immunotherapy

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

  • Cancer Vaccines

  • Non-Specific Immunotherapies

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins

• Hormonal Therapy

• Gene Therapy

• Others

Due to its extensive application in treating a wide range of malignancies, chemotherapy is the gold standard in cancer treatment. Still, immunotherapy is emerging as the most promising field for future development. Using the body's natural defences, immunotherapy presents a viable and individualised cancer treatment strategy.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Drug Class

• Cytotoxic Agents

• Hormonal Agents

• Biologics

The market is dominated by chemotherapy medications (cytotoxic agents), but biologics (targeted therapies & immunotherapy) are the up-and-coming stars because of their tailored strategy and maybe less severe side effects.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Molecular Target

• EGFR Inhibitors

• HER2 Inhibitors

• BRAF Inhibitors

• PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors

• VEGF Inhibitors

• Others

By molecular target, inhibitors dominate the market and use the immune system to combat cancer. BRAF inhibitors and other novel targeted medicines, on the other hand, are gaining popularity quickly and show promise for treating certain mutations as well as an ongoing source of innovation in cancer treatment.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Route of Administration

• Oral

• Intravenous

• Subcutaneous

• Parenteral

• Topical

In terms of delivery modes, oral chemotherapy is the most prevalent in terms of size and development. This is because patients now have more convenience, and new oral medications provide a more patient-friendly option to intravenous treatments.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Line of Treatment

• First-Line Treatment

• Second-Line Treatment

• Advanced Line Treatment

Because treatment regimens differ, it might be difficult to determine which chemotherapy medicine is the best seller by line of treatment (First, Second, or Advanced). The advanced line section, however, has a good chance of growing at the quickest rate. Increased cancer diagnoses, higher survival rates that necessitate later-stage therapy for more patients, and the ongoing research and development of novel medications for advanced malignancies are the main causes of this.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Patient Age Group

• Paediatric

• Adult

• Geriatric

Because of their greater treatment tolerance and larger prevalence of cancer, adults probably account for the largest portion of the market for chemotherapy drugs. The elderly market, however, is expected to increase at the quickest rate. This is a result of the ageing population, advances in cancer diagnosis, and the creation of kinder chemotherapy alternatives appropriate for senior citizens.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By End-User

• Hospitals

• Specialty Clinics

• Cancer Research Centres

• Others (Homecare, Ambulatory Surgical Centres)

Because hospitals can provide complicated therapies, they dominate the end-user VEGF inhibitor market. Speciality clinics that treat eye disorders and cancer, or even homecare with advances in medication delivery, may be the unsung growth star in this regard. Identifying the market category with the quickest growth rate necessitates a thorough examination of recent developments.

Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America 

• Asia-Pacific 

• Europe 

• South America 

• Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific is both the largest and fastest-growing market when it comes to the worldwide segmentation of the colorectal cancer medication market. The population is aging and rising, which increases the number of people who are vulnerable to illness and contributes to its domination. Moreover, increased healthcare spending is made possible by the region's growing disposable incomes, and a rise in colorectal cancer awareness is driving up screenings and diagnoses. Finally, growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region are consistently investing in healthcare infrastructure, which opens up new opportunities for market growth.

Key Companies Addressed in Colorectal Cancer Drug Market

Exelixis, Mirati Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Inspirna, Lyell Immunopharma, Genentech, Cantargia AB, Arcus Biosciences, Inc., Neogap Therapeutics AB, Criterium, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celyad Oncology SA, Pfizer, Akeso, Menarini Group, Elpiscience (Suzhou) Biopharma, Ltd., BeyondBio Inc., Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Rottapharm Biotech, Innovative Cellular Therapeutics Inc., BioNTech SE, and others.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market:

The market for drugs for colorectal cancer was disrupted by the COVID-19 epidemic. There were fewer tests due to lockdowns and overcrowded hospitals, which might have resulted in later-stage diagnoses and more difficult treatment choices. Access problems brought on by overworked healthcare institutions and delays in non-essential procedures interfered with the actual course of treatment. New medication clinical studies also came to a standstill. Still, there were bright spots. With the rise in telehealth consultations, patients on their current prescriptions might receive follow-ups from a distance. The necessity to care for patients under duress may have even spurred creativity in the search for novel therapies or the customization of medication schedules. The entire impact is still up for debate. A subsequent spike in instances might result from the initial screening drop, increasing the demand for medications. Future developments in the management of this illness may also be facilitated by an emphasis on telemedicine and alternative therapies.

Recent Trends and Developments in the Global Colorectal Cancer Drug Market:

The global market for drugs for colorectal cancer is changing. More accurate and perhaps kinder targeted medicines and immunotherapies are replacing traditional chemotherapies, especially for individuals with certain genetic markers. This change is motivated by the realization that early detection made possible by innovations like stool tests is essential. Even if therapies are less severe, more people will require care because of early discovery. The Asia-Pacific region offers a substantial market opportunity due to its expanding population and rising healthcare expenditures. AI and other technological developments are contributing to the acceleration of drug discovery. Even though there are still issues with high treatment costs and providing fair access, further research and development might lead to more accessible, efficient therapies and a booming colorectal cancer medication industry.

Key Players:

1. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

2. Takeda Pharmaceuticals

3. Pfizer

4. Merck & Co.

5. Amgen, Inc.

6. Bristol-Myers Squibb

7. Eli Lilly and Company

8. Sanofi

9. Taiho Pharmaceutical

10. Bayer AG

In June 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to Bristol Myers Squibb's combination therapy for colorectal cancer patients with a particular gene mutation. This approval, granted through the FDA's accelerated process, was based on results from an early- to mid-stage clinical trial. In this study, 94 patients who had previously received treatment were given the oral medication Krazati alongside cetuximab.