Pharmaceutical Fluid Handling Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

The pharmaceutical fluid handling sector is projected to grow from US$ 10,302.78 million in 2021 to US$ 14,209.40 million by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2022 to 2028.

The surge in drug manufacturing and the increasing preference for single-use systems within the pharmaceutical sector are significant factors propelling market expansion. Conversely, the substantial costs associated with unsuccessful clinical trials pose a challenge to the pharmaceutical fluid handling market growth.

Fluid handling is a crucial component of the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of various fluids, including cough syrups, intravenous products, and complex active pharmaceutical ingredients. To maintain reliability and success, companies must employ appropriate handling equipment and instruments. The manufacturing sectors within biotechnology and pharmaceuticals require fluid control systems, as most processes involve liquids such as feed media, buffer solutions, cell extracts, and product fractions.

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in research and development activities, alongside investments aimed at creating innovative therapies. In 2019, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved 35 biologic drugs, with approximately 50 novel drugs receiving approval in 2021. Over the past decade, around 410 novel drugs have been sanctioned, averaging about 40 approvals annually. The Medicine Development for Global Health (MDGH), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) Special Program for Research and Training and GlaxoSmithKline, initiated efforts in 2018 to develop new treatments for tropical diseases and Malaria Venture (MMV). This initiative has spurred an increase in clinical trials and drug discovery, thereby enhancing the number of drug approvals and positively impacting the pharmaceutical fluid handling market.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), there were 52,537 registered clinical studies with posted results in 2021, a figure expected to rise to 56,100 by the end of 2022. Additionally, research and development expenditures have surged in recent years. Data from the Congressional Budget Office published in April 2021 indicates that drug R&D spending rose by approximately 50% from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, the pharmaceutical sector invested US$ 83 billion in R&D, a tenfold increase compared to the previous decade. Consequently, the growing number of clinical trials, drug production, and heightened investments in R&D are driving the growth of the pharmaceutical fluid handling market.

Insights Based on Offerings

The global pharmaceutical fluid handling market is categorized into equipment and solutions and services. In 2021, the equipment segment dominated the market share and is anticipated to experience the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2028. Detachable pharmaceutical fluid handling equipment is utilized for arterial and venous embolization in peripheral vasculature.

Insights Based on End Users

The pharmaceutical fluid handling market is segmented by end users into biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical and medical companies, and others. The biotechnology companies segment held the largest market share in 2021 and is projected to maintain its leading position by 2028. These companies play a vital role in drug discovery and the development of innovative biologics for chronic disease treatment. The sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, driven by increased research and development activities and regulatory approvals for new products. According to the ClinicalTrials.gov database, there were approximately 6,516 active clinical studies in the US in 2021, with around 920,000 participants involved. This rise in clinical trials aimed at discovering innovative treatments for various chronic conditions underscores the growing demand for clinical research fluid handling systems.

The United States stands as one of the largest markets for the biotechnology industry globally. While other nations primarily utilize their biotechnology resources for pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, the US has identified numerous additional applications for this innovative scientific field. In the US, biotechnology contributes significantly to health, food and agriculture, and industrial sectors. All these areas have seen production increases due to biotechnology advancements, leading to substantial economic contributions. The manufacturing sectors of biotechnology companies rely on fluid control systems, as most processes involve liquids such as buffer solutions, cell extracts, feed media, and product fractions. This growth trajectory is expected to positively influence the demand for fluid handling solutions among biotechnology firms.

An example of innovation in this field is "PharmaPure" (Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics), a biologically compatible, high-quality, low spallation peristaltic pump tube designed specifically for biotechnology and laboratory applications. Its superior flex life minimizes production downtime caused by pump tubing failures, and its low permeability is ideal for safeguarding sensitive cell cultures, fermentation, separation, purification, process monitoring, and sterile filling. These factors are likely to drive segment growth during the forecast period.