Epirubicin Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

The global epirubicin market is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately US$ 243.99 million by 2028, up from US$ 191.66 million in 2021. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.60% from 2022 to 2028.

Epirubicin hydrochloride belongs to a category of medications known as anthracyclines, which are primarily utilized in the treatment of breast cancer following surgical removal of tumors. These anthracyclines are derived from the gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces and are widely employed as chemotherapy agents. They exert their anticancer effects by interfering with DNA replication. Compared to doxorubicin, another anthracycline, epirubicin hydrochloride is often favored due to its reduced side effects. The FDA approved epirubicin HCl as an adjuvant treatment for axillary node-positive breast cancer post-surgery under the brand name Ellence in 1999.

The expansion of the global pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to provide further growth opportunities for the epirubicin market. The United States holds the title of the largest and most lucrative pharmaceutical market in North America, accounting for over 45% of the global pharmaceutical sector. Many leading pharmaceutical companies are based in the US, which has been a pioneer in biomedical research.

Germany ranks fourth in the global pharmaceutical market, characterized by a mix of small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), the German pharmaceutical market was valued at US$ 62.5 billion in 2019. This country is expected to remain a key player in the global pharmaceutical landscape, driven by increased investments in research and development and a rise in patent applications.

Moreover, the pharmaceutical sector in the United Kingdom is also on a growth trajectory. The UK is home to over 610 pharmaceutical companies, as reported by the Office for National Statistics in 2018. The country hosts more than 15 global pharmaceutical firms, and approximately 41% of its pharmaceutical production is exported internationally. Major companies such as AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and GSK have significantly contributed to the sector's growth and have been at the forefront of research and development. The ongoing expansion of these companies is expected to positively impact market growth in the near future.

In August 2020, the Indian government launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at fostering self-reliance in the pharmaceutical industry. Similar to the US and Europe, India is moving towards independent production of pharmaceutical raw materials. The government has allocated US$ 1.8 billion for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, positioning India as a potential global hub for the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Approximately 30% of the investments are directed towards the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture essential raw materials and intermediates for antibiotics, analgesics, and other active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Consequently, the burgeoning pharmaceutical sector worldwide is likely to create favorable conditions for the growth of the epirubicin market.

The global epirubicin market is categorized by dosage forms, including 10mg/vial, 50mg/vial, 100mg/vial, and 200mg/vial. In 2021, the 50mg/vial segment dominated the market; however, the 100mg/vial segment is expected to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period. In terms of application, the market is divided into segments for breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, and others. The breast cancer segment held the largest market share in 2021 and is projected to register the highest CAGR in the coming years. The rising incidence of breast cancer in the US is likely to drive the demand for epirubicin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 264,000 breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually in women and around 2,400 in men, with an estimated 42,000 women and 500 men succumbing to the disease each year.

Regarding distribution channels, the global epirubicin market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment held the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to maintain the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period.

Key sources referenced in the preparation of this report on the epirubicin market include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.