Antibody Therapy Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Antibody Therapy Market Size and Companies

The global antibody therapy market size was USD 279.89 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 313.47 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach around USD 973.60 billion by 2034. The market is expanding at a solid CAGR of 12% over the forecast period 2024 to 2034. The North America antibody therapy market size reached USD 106.36 billion in 2023.

Antibody Therapy Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the market with a major market share of 38% in 2023.
• By type, the monoclonal antibody segment held the largest market share in 2023.
• By end user, the hospital segment has captured the largest market share of 48% in 2023.

U.S. Antibody Therapy Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The U.S. antibody therapy market size was estimated at USD 74.60 billion in 2023 and is predicted to be worth around USD 265.03 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2024 to 2034.

North America led the market with the biggest market share of 38% in 2023, particularly evident with 122 approvals of the 162 antibody therapies worldwide being granted in the U.S., according to Umabs-DB data. This dominance is attributed to the extensive investment in research and development by U.S.-based companies, resulting in their substantial market share

The U.S. leads in both research and clinical development within the antibody therapy field, further solidifying its leading position. In the context of COVID-19, vaccines utilized in the U.S. primarily target the spike (S) protein of the virus, with antibody detection against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) showing a higher correlation with neutralizing virus ability. Such insights are crucial for serologic studies, aiding in differentiating previous infection from vaccination.

• By September 2022, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in the blood of 96.4% of Americans aged 16 and above, indicative of widespread exposure and potential market implications for antibody therapy.
• In September 2023, the antibodies generated through prior infection or existing coronavirus vaccines were found to offer adequate protection against the emerging BA.2.86 variant, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• In October 2023, AbbVie Inc. introduced the inaugural fully human monoclonal antibody alongside antibody-drug conjugates, employing a targeted approach to deliver therapeutic agents.

Market Overview

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a groundbreaking advancement in medical treatment, harnessing the power of the immune system to combat diseases such as cancer, infections, and autoimmune disorders. These antibodies, either derived from the body's own immune system or synthesized in laboratories, target specific markers on cells or tissues, aiding in the eradication of harmful agents.

Monoclonal antibodies bind to antigens, prompting the immune system to develop tailored defenses against similar threats. This mimics the natural immune response, offering targeted treatment with reduced side effects compared to traditional therapies. The growing significance of therapeutic approaches has fueled several initiatives by pharmaceutical companies and is responsible for the market's current growth.

• In June 2023, FDA granted approval for Genentech’s Columvi, marking the first and only bispecific antibody with a fixed-duration treatment for individuals with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
• In March 2023, BioNTech and OncoC4 declared a strategic collaboration to co-develop and commercialize a novel checkpoint antibody in multiple solid tumor indications.

The antibody therapy market has witnessed remarkable expansion, driven by the approval of new drugs catering to diverse ailments, including cancers, autoimmune disorders, metabolic conditions, and infectious diseases. Over the past 25 years, mAbs have emerged as the primary treatment modality for various illnesses, reflecting substantial advancements in discovery and development processes.

• In February 2022, the Canadian government entered into a new agreement for COVID-19 antibody therapy.
• In December 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb's Abecma became the first CAR T approved for use in earlier lines of therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Japan.
• In February 2023, Pfizer Inc. received Priority Review from the FDA for elranatamab, an investigational B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CD3-targeted bispecific antibody (BsAb), for treating patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Antibody Therapy Market Growth Factors

• The development of monoclonal antibodies through recombinant DNA technology has fueled market growth. These laboratory-produced protein molecules offer controlled manufacturing processes, enhancing their reliability and scalability.
• Modern antibodies demonstrate superior performance compared to polyclonal antibodies, particularly in terms of their reproducible affinity for specific target antigens. This controlled quality and specificity have contributed significantly to market expansion.
• Monoclonal antibodies serve not only as therapeutics but also as essential tools in various medical applications. Their routine use in hospitals for blood typing and tissue matching ensures the safety and success of critical procedures such as blood transfusions and organ transplants, further driving the growth of the antibody therapy market.
• The growth and profitability of monoclonal antibodies surpass earlier biotechnology drugs and traditional pharmaceuticals. Their rapid expansion ranks among the fastest in the global pharmaceutical landscape, attracting substantial investment and driving market expansion.
• Monoclonal antibodies offer diverse mechanisms of action, including direct binding to target molecules to induce apoptosis, inhibit cell growth, or interfere with crucial functions. This versatility in targeting specific disease pathways fuels market growth by addressing a wide range of medical needs.
• Leveraging the binding properties of antibodies, conjugation to cytotoxic drugs, radioisotopes, or toxins has emerged as a potent therapeutic strategy. This approach enhances the efficacy of treatments and expands the market by offering innovative solutions for challenging diseases.
• Technological innovations have notably accelerated the pace and efficiency of mAb therapies, facilitating rapid progress in research and clinical applications. As a result, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have positioned themselves as indispensable tools in the modern medical arsenal, offering promising avenues for combating a wide array of diseases and improving patient outcomes.
• Monoclonal antibodies offer several benefits, including fewer off-target adverse effects, reduced drug-drug interactions, higher specificity, and enhanced efficacy through targeted therapy. These advantages drive market growth by improving patient outcomes and attracting broader adoption.
• Ongoing modifications aimed at decreasing immunogenicity and enhancing efficacy further propel market growth. Strategies such as optimizing pharmacokinetic properties and enabling oral bioavailability ensure that monoclonal antibodies remain at the forefront of medical innovation, driving continued demand and expansion of the antibody therapy market.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Expanding applications of monoclonal antibody therapy

Advances in understanding the role of growth factors and their receptors in hematopoietic and neoplastic diseases have catalyzed the development of humanized chimeric monoclonal antibodies. These innovations offer a new perspective for treating leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, autoimmune diseases, and ischemic complications.

Monoclonal antibodies are instrumental in cancer diagnosis and therapy, immune response modulation for autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and prevention of allograft rejection. Additionally, their application in treating bacterial infections and reducing tissue damage in conditions like bacterial meningitis and myocardial reperfusion injury further fuels the growth of the antibody therapy market.

• In January 2022, GSK and Vir Biotechnology announced a government agreement to procure an additional supply of sotrovimab, authorized for early COVID-19 treatment.
• In September 2022, Evusheld, a long-acting antibody combination, obtained approval in the EU for COVID-19 treatment.

Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases driving demand for antibody therapy

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases has significantly contributed to the expanding use of antibody therapy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are increasingly applied in the treatment of severe, nonmalignant conditions such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and bacterial infections. As a result, antibody drugs have become some of the most sought-after products in the pharmaceutical market.

Notably, among the top 50 drugs based on sales in 2021, 22 are antibody drugs, with adalimumab (Humira) emerging as the leading antibody drug with annual sales exceeding $20 billion. This robust demand for antibody therapy, driven by the prevalence of chronic diseases, continues to propel growth in the antibody therapy market.

• In July 2022, pucotenlimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, received successful approval for utilization in China.

Restraints

High development costs 

The formidable development costs associated with antibody therapy pose a significant obstacle to market expansion. With the average annual price of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) exceeding $96,731 and surpassing $100,000 for 34 mAb-indication combinations, affordability becomes a pressing concern for patients, healthcare providers, and payers alike. Particularly in oncology and hematology, where mAbs represent 40% of approved indications but account for over 85% of treatments priced at $100,000 or higher, the financial burden is pronounced.

Adjusting for production cost factors, oncology or hematology mAbs command substantially higher annual prices compared to those used in other therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular or metabolic disorders, immunology, infectious diseases or allergies, and ophthalmology. This disparity in pricing across therapeutic categories creates barriers to access and limits the potential growth of the antibody therapy market, underscoring the need for strategies to address cost concerns and enhance affordability.

Challenges in developing antibodies for complex membrane proteins

The complexities associated with developing antibodies for intricate membrane proteins like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, transporters, and membrane-bound enzymes present significant barriers to market growth in antibody therapy. Despite potential solutions such as antigen design, antibody-generation strategies, lead optimization technologies, and diverse antibody modalities, the inherent challenges persist.

Therapeutic antibody discovery and development technologies are evolving, but the limitations in effectively targeting difficult membrane proteins continue to hinder progress. This restriction impedes the expansion of the antibody therapy market by limiting the development of novel treatments for diseases and conditions reliant on these intricate targets. Until these challenges are effectively addressed, the full potential of antibody-based therapies in addressing a wide range of medical needs will remain unrealized, thereby constraining market growth in this sector.

Opportunities

Advancements in antibody therapeutics

Antibody-based therapeutics have emerged as a cornerstone in the treatment of diverse diseases, ranging from cancers to immune disorders and infectious diseases. Recent breakthroughs in antibody discovery and development present promising opportunities for the antibody therapy market. As antibody discovery progresses to preclinical development, the consideration of biophysical properties becomes paramount in determining the drug's efficacy. Notably, advancements in computer-aided methods have led to the identification of variants demonstrating superior attributes.

For instance, one variant showcased enhanced affinity, reduced aggregation propensity, lower isoelectric point (pI), improved stability, more elevated purification yield, and exceptional in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. This transformative discovery presents a promising candidate antibody for preclinical development, showcasing the potential of tailored antibodies to address unmet medical needs.

Such advancements not only enhance the efficacy and safety profile of antibody therapeutics but also expand the scope of applications across various disease categories. As a result, the antibody therapy market is poised for significant growth, fueled by the continuous innovation and optimization of antibody-based treatments to meet evolving healthcare demands. Leveraging these opportunities can lead to the development of novel therapies and improved patient outcomes, thereby driving further expansion and innovation in the market.

• In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn), marking the first instance of T-cell receptor (TCR) therapeutics fused with an anti-CD3 T-cell engaging single-chain variable fragment (scFv).
• In March 2023, Sanofi announced the acquisition of Provention Bio, bolstering its portfolio with TZIELD, the first disease-modifying treatment for the delay of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D).
• In January 2024, Johnson & Johnson finalized the acquisition of Ambrx, advancing next-generation antibody drug conjugates to revolutionize cancer treatment.
• In February 2024, AbbVie concluded a deal to acquire ImmunoGen, adding to its pipeline of antibody drug conjugates.

Advancements in antibody engineering techniques

The evolution of antibody engineering has become instrumental in the development of next-generation therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, with over 300 candidates currently undergoing clinical trials across diverse therapeutic areas. This surge in innovative therapies underscores the transformative potential of antibody engineering in revolutionizing healthcare.

Therapeutic antibody engineering encompasses a comprehensive analysis of genetic engineering approaches to optimize monoclonal antibodies for enhanced efficacy and safety. Key technologies such as single B cell antibody technology, humanization of phage display, human antibody mouse, monoclonal antibodies, and affinity maturation are at the forefront of this paradigm shift.

By leveraging these preeminent antibody engineering technologies, the antibody therapy market stands poised for substantial growth. These advancements facilitate the development of targeted and tailored therapies, addressing unmet medical needs across a spectrum of diseases. Moreover, the continuous refinement of antibody engineering techniques ensures the continual innovation and improvement of therapeutic antibody drugs, driving further expansion and adoption within the market.

Type Insights

The monoclonal antibodies (MABs) segment registered the maximum market share in 2023, offering targeted drug therapy by recognizing specific proteins in cancer cells. MAB therapies, engineered to mimic natural antibodies, are produced in laboratories to substitute, enhance, modify, or mimic the immune system's attack on undesired cells like cancer cells.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is increasingly prevalent, with numerous approvals for treating various cancer types and ongoing clinical trials exploring new drugs and applications. Administered mostly intravenously, MABs provide a more precise treatment option compared to others, contributing to the growth of the antibody therapy market.

• In October 2022, a monoclonal antibody demonstrated efficacy in preventing malaria infection among African adults, safeguarding participants in an NIH clinical trial throughout the six-month malaria season.

End User Insights

The hospital segment held the largest share within the antibody therapy market, in 2023, with fast-acting laboratory-made antibodies transitioning from seldom-used to widely adopted therapies. Doctors increasingly utilize monoclonal antibody treatment as a frontline option, particularly for eligible patients, potentially transforming treatment paradigms. Monoclonal antibodies hold the promise of averting hospitalizations among high-risk groups and curbing disease progression.

Hospital use may obviate the need for steroids and immunomodulation, thereby mitigating the risk of severe infections like mucormycosis and secondary bacterial and viral infections such as CMV. Monoclonal antibodies must possess essential biophysical properties, including high antigen binding activity, stability, and low immunogenicity, fostering growth in the antibody therapy market.

• In August 2023, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclosed a partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to back the clinical development, manufacturing, and regulatory approval of a next-generation COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy.
• By January 2023, the FDA accepted nirsevimab application as the first protective option against RSV disease for all infants.

Antibody Therapy Market Companies

• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• GlaxoSmithKline plc
• Takeda Pharmaceuticals
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Merck & Co, Inc.
• Seagen, Johnson & Johnson
• Novartis AG
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
• Merck & Co, IncSeagen

Recent Developments

• In July 2022, AstraZeneca acquired TeneoTwo, strengthening its hematological cancer pipeline with a clinical-stage T-cell engager.
• In December 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb augmented its radiopharmaceutical platform with the acquisition of RayzeBio.
• In June 2022, Galapagos acquired CellPoint and AboundBio to accelerate access to next-generation cell therapies.
• In June 2023, Lilly acquired cancer antibody drug startup Emergence.
• In September 2021, Boehringer Ingelheim acquired Abexxa Biologics to expand its research efforts in cancer immunology and novel immunotherapeutic approaches further.
• In June 2023, Lonza announced the acquisition of Synaffix, strengthening its antibody-drug conjugates offering.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Oncology, Autoimmune Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Other
• Antibody Drug Conjugates

By End User

• Hospitals
• Specialty Centers
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa