Pharmaceutical intermediates are organic compounds which help in the chemical synthesis and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). They are synthetically produced through chemical reactions and further processed to obtain APIs. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with rising generic drugs production across the globe is anticipated to drive the demand for pharmaceutica intermediates during the forecast period. The need for affordable healthcare along with patent expiration of blockbuster drugs has accelerated generic drugs production worldwide.
The Global Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 43.67 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Global Pharmaceutical Intermediates are Evonik, Borregaard AS, Sudarshan Pharma, A.R. Life Science, Actylis, Saurav Chemicals Ltd., Lianhetech, Midas Pharma GmbH, Sanofi , BASF SE, Chiracon GmbH, Lonza, Chemcon Speciality Chemicals Limited., Modepro India Pvt. Ltd., Lifechem Pharma, Sarex, LANXESS. Pharmaceutical intermediates find wide application in producing commonly used medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen, steroids etc. The growing demand for low-cost generic drugs across emerging nations in Asia and Africa is propelling the demand for pharmaceutical intermediates. With advancement in technologies, manufacturers are developing efficient processes for intermediates production which enables cost reduction and large scale production.
Market trends
Advancements in continuous flow technology - Continuous flow chemistry allows improved process control, scalability and ease of operation. Its application is gaining interest for intermediates production. Monoclonal antibody production - Increasing investments in mAb-based drug development is driving demand for dedicated intermediates. Sustainable production - Companies are developing novel enzymatic and continuous processes to produce intermediates more sustainably and efficiently.
Market Opportunities
India and China market - Growing generics market and investments in pharmaceutical sector of India and China provide significant opportunities. Emerging markets - Rising healthcare spending and availability of low-cost generics in Africa and Latin America opens new avenues. Strategic partnerships - Collaborations between intermediates and drug makers ensures sustained demand and stability. Product differentiation - Developing novel processes for difficult-to-make intermediates through innovation offers benefits.
Impact of COVID-19 on Global Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the growth of the global pharmaceutical intermediates market. The demand for active Global Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market Size and intermediates increased substantially to meet the growing demand for medications and drugs to treat COVID-19 patients. However, during the initial months of the pandemic in 2020, manufacturing activities were disrupted due to nationwide lockdowns imposed across various countries. This led to supply chain disruptions and shortage of raw materials.
However, as the pandemic has progressed, the pharmaceutical intermediates market has recovered strongly. Manufacturers have ramped up production capacities and streamlined supply chains to meet the surge in demand. Various governments have provided incentives and subsidies to boost domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates. This has further accelerated capacity expansion and facilitated import substitution. The pandemic has underscored the importance of self-reliance in pharmaceutical supply chains globally.
Going forward, demand for generic drugs and increased outsourcing of pharmaceutical manufacturing to Asian countries is expected to drive the market. Manufacturers are focusing on developing innovative production technologies and sustainable processes to cater to long term demand. Adoption of continuous manufacturing and single-use technologies will aid in accelerating production timelines. Continuous investment in R&D is critical for economic recovery in the post COVID era.
Geographical regions with high concentration of Global Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market
North America represents the largest and fastest growing regional market. The region accounted for over 30% share of the global market revenue in 2024. Major factors driving growth include the large pharmaceutical industry, rising healthcare expenditure, and technological advancements in the US.
Asia Pacific is the second largest and fastest growing regional market for pharmaceutical intermediates. China and India have emerged as the major production and export hubs on account rapid industrialization, low production costs and availability of skilled workforce. Countries like China, India and South Korea contribute over 40% to global API production. The APAC market is expected grow at a CAGR of around 10% during the forecast period on account of supportive government policies for the pharmaceutical industry.
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