by The Alzheimer’s drugs market comprises drugs that are specifically used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that usually starts slowly and worsens over time, gradually destroying memory and thinking skills. Drugs approved by regulatory authorities and used commonly for Alzheimer’s disease include cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Cholinesterase inhibitors approved by the FDA include donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. These drugs work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for memory and normal brain function. Memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist approved for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It regulates the activity of glutamate, which plays a key role in learning and memory.
The Global Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Size is estimated to be valued at US$ 5.6 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 11% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Alzheimer’s drugs market are AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Pfizer Inc., Clovis Oncology, Inc., and Tesaro (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline). AstraZeneca’s drug Namenda and Pfizer’s drug Aricept dominated the Alzheimer’s drugs market.
The Alzheimer’s drugs market is witnessing significant growth due to the growing geriatric population globally, which is the primary patient segment affected by Alzheimer’s disease. According to the WHO, the number of people aged 60 years and above is expected to reach 2 billion by 2050 from 900 million in 2015. This rapid growth of the aging population will increase the patient pool for Alzheimer’s disease.
Manufacturers are exploring new geographies for growth opportunities led by countries such as China, Japan, and others in Asia Pacific. In addition, emerging economies are expected to contribute to the Alzheimer’s drugs market growth as the geriatric population and healthcare expenditure is on the rise in these countries. Furthermore, collaborations between pharmaceutical players and academic/research institutes will help meet the increasing need for innovative treatment options.
Market Key Trends
A key trend in the Alzheimer’s drugs market is the shift from symptomatic treatments to disease-modifying approaches. Currently available drugs only address symptoms and do not stop or reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmaceutical companies are conducting extensive R&D to develop drugs that can intervene at different stages of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis and modify the course of the disease. Some of the innovative mechanism in clinical trials include anti-amyloid antibodies, BACE1 inhibitors, tau-targeting therapies and anti-neuroinflammatory agents. The successful development of an effective disease-modifying therapy will significantly transform the Alzheimer’s treatment landscape
Porter’s Analysis
Threat of new entrants: High capital requirements for clinical trials and regulatory approvals pose barriers for new companies.
Bargaining power of buyers: Large pharmaceutical companies have some negotiating power in lowering drug prices.
Bargaining power of suppliers: Established drug manufacturers have significant influence over suppliers of raw materials and research tools.
Threat of new substitutes: No alternative treatments exist yet for slowing or halting Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Competitive rivalry: Intense competition exists among established companies to develop drugs that can slow or stop Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Geographical Regions
North America currently accounts for the largest share of the global Alzheimer’s drugs market, valued at around US$ 3 Bn in 2024. This is due to aging population, availability of diagnostic facilities, and higher healthcare spending in the US and Canada.
The Asia Pacific region is poised to be the fastest growing market for Alzheimer’s drugs during the forecast period. This is attributed to rapidly aging population, increased healthcare awareness, economic growth, and government initiatives to strengthen healthcare systems in major Asian countries like China and India. Rapid adoption of new treatment options and development of novel drugs will further drive the Alzheimer’s drugs market in Asia Pacific.
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1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
