Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)- Market Insights, Competitive Landscape and Market Forecast–2027

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)- Market Insights, Competitive Landscape and Market Forecast–2027

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Market By Type (Innovative And Generic), By Manufacturer Type (Captive And Merchant), By Synthesis Type (Synthetic And Biotech), By Application (Oncology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Orthopedic, Opthalmology, And Others), by geography is estimated to register growth at remarkable CAGR forecast till 2026 owing to rising prevalence of various diseases such as diabetes and growing focus on drug development

Global active pharmaceutical ingredient market was valued at USD 185.00 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2026 to reach USD 286.79 billion by 2026. The API market is witnessing a positive market growth owing to the factors such as prevalence of various diseases, growing geriatric population, increasing focus on drug development, and rising popularity of biologic drugs among others.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Dynamics:

One of the main drivers of the API market is the rising prevalence of various diseases. Diabetes and hypertension are two of the most common indications for which synthetic drugs are prescribed. As per the statistics provided by the International Diabetes Federation, in 2021 near about 537 million adults in the age group of 20-79 years are presently living with diabetes. Similarly, in another data provided by the World Health Organization (2021), raised cholesterol is estimated to cause 2.6 million fatalities. It is considered as a major cause of disease burden in both the developed and developing world as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke. The indications mentioned above consist as major risk factors for other diseases and syndromes such as ischemic heart disease, glaucoma, cancer among others. Synthetically synthesized pharmaceutical drugs such as metformin, atorvastatin, and enalapril among others that are prescribed as popular pharmaceutical treatment for the above-mentioned indications. Therefore, the rising prevalence of various diseases encompassing diseases of various etiologies are expected to drive the demand for pharmaceutical drugs for disease management which in turn is expected to contribute in the demand for APIs, thereby positively impacting the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market growth during the forecast period (2021-2026).

Another key factor responsible for the growth of the APIs market is the rising focus on drug development. Considering the rise in number of diseases, there has been a growing focus on the research and development of newer therapeutics. This has resulted in the launch of new products such as drugs and biological products. Furthermore, an increase in acquisitions, collaborations, and regional expansions are some of the strategic initiatives ensured by the manufacturers involved in drug manufacturing helped boost the global API market. For instance, Quartic.ai and Bright Path Labs entered into a collaboration in 2020 to develop AI-based technology for continuous manufacturing of critical APIs that are required for producing crucial small-molecule drugs. Therefore, such measures are expected to drive the market for APIs in coming future.

However, stringent regulatory guidelines for the manufacture and approval process and high investment costs may limit the growth of API market.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient market witnessed a period of temporary hindrance in market growth due to the imposing of the lockdown restrictions as necessary measures to contain the COVID-19 spread. The imposing of lockdown massively affected the supply chains and production disruptions despite an increase in the demand for antibiotics, antivirals, and respiratory drugs, thereby limiting the market growth for a short time as well as exhibited a few long-term effects. However, with the resumption of activities across industries including the pharmaceutical sector has been uplifting for the API market during the forecast period from 2021-2026.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Segment Analysis:

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Market by Type (Innovative and Generic), by Manufacturer Type (Captive and Merchant), by Synthesis Type (Synthetic and Biotech), by Manufacturer Type (Oncology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, and Others), and by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

In the synthesis type segment of the active pharmaceutical ingredients market, the biotech category is projected to register a faster growth in terms of CAGR in the API market during the forecast period (2021-2026). This can be attributed to the rising prevalence of genetic disorders where in biologic drugs have proven to be beneficial compared to conventional chemical drugs. For instance, gene therapy-based biologics have a wide range of applications, from gene replacement and knockdown to vaccination in genetic diseases such as cancer, hemophilia, hypercholesterolemia, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, biologics are being preferred as therapy in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and different cancer types due to their target-specific action unlike conventional small-molecule drugs. Therefore, considering the advantages associated with biologic drugs, this product category is expected to witness a faster CAGR growth eventually contributing the overall growth of the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is expected to register fastest growth in the overall Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market:

Among all the regions, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to register the fastest growth in revenue generation in the global API market. This can be ascribed to the large presence of patient pool, growing interest in the APAC region as a manufacturing hub, rising population of the elderly, among other factors in the region.

One of the key factors supporting the growth of the APAC active pharmaceutical ingredients market is the growing interest in the APAC countries as a manufacturing hub for pharmaceutical industry. Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region have been emerging as attractive alternatives for companies owing to lower costs, the availability of labor and its status as an established manufacturing base. Several companies are investing to establish manufacturing operations across various sectors in APAC countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and India. Governments of several nations in the region are also increasingly working towards providing opportunities to attract manufacturers by offering land, tax benefits, and other incentives. Countries in the region have also entered into several free trade agreements (FTA) and partnerships thereby enabling manufacturers to consider these countries as viable hubs for export. Therefore, such measures by the national governments of countries in the APAC region are expected to bolster the growth of the APAC API market during the forecast period.

Owing to such efforts, presently, the greatest concentrations of API manufacturers are located around Asia, specifically in India and China. This has led to more companies outsourcing API manufacturing to such places, which has the main benefit of eliminating the need to invest in highly expensive equipment and infrastructure.

India, for example, is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world. The country has an outstanding position in the global pharmaceutical market and is also the only country in the world with the largest number of US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) pharmaceutical factories outside the United States. The country is also the world's third largest market for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), producing over 500 different APIs and providing 57% of the APIs to the World Health Organization (WHO) pre-certification list.

Therefore, such factors coupled with rising patient population encompassing the end users of these formulations and increasing focus on healthcare are expected to contribute in the regional growth of the API market in the APAC region.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Key Players:

Some of the key market players operating in the active pharmaceutical ingredients market includes Aurobindo Pharma, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Pfizer Inc, Novartis AG, BASF SE, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Lupin Ltd, Viatris, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Merck KGaA, AbbVie Inc., Bristol Myers-Squibb Company, Cipla Inc, Divi's Laboratories Limited, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Albemarle Corporation, Orion Corporation, Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a., AstraZeneca, and others.

Recent Developmental Activities in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market:

  • In December 2021, Novasep, announced a €6 million investment on its Chasse-sur-Rhône site, France. This investment is made with the aim to increase and modernize their manufacturing capabilities to support new generation Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), in areas such as central nervous system (CNS), oncology, and infectious diseases.
  • In April 2021, Novartis NVS signed an initial agreement with Roche RHHBY Ensuring capacity and technology transfer for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for rheumatoid arthritis, Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab).
Key Takeaways from the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Report Study
  • Market size analysis for current API market size (2020), and market forecast for 5 years (2021-2026)
  • The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on this market is significant. To capture and analyze suitable indicators, our experts are closely watching the API market.
  • Top key product/services/technology developments, merger, acquisition, partnership, joint venture happened for last 3 years
  • Key companies dominating the global API market.
  • Various opportunities available for the other competitor in the API market space.
  • What are the top performing segments in 2020? How these segments will perform in 2026.
  • Which is the top-performing regions and countries in the current API market scenario?
  • Which are the regions and countries where companies should have concentrated on opportunities for API market growth in the coming future?
Target Audience who can be benefited from this Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Report Study
  • API products providers
  • Research organizations and consulting companies
  • API-related organizations, associations, forums, and other alliances
  • Government and corporate offices
  • Start-up companies, venture capitalists, and private equity firms
  • Distributors and Traders dealing in API
  • Various End-users who want to know more about the API market and latest technological developments in the API market.

  • Frequently Asked Questions for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market:

    1. What is an active pharmaceutical agent?

    An active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is any substance or mixture of substances used in a finished pharmaceutical product (FPP) which is intended to provide pharmacological action.

    2. What is the market for Global API?

    Global API market was valued at USD 185.00 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2026 to reach USD 286.79 billion by 2026.

    3. What are the drivers for Global API Market?

    The API market is witnessing a positive market growth owing to the factors such as prevalence of various diseases, growing geriatric population, increasing focus on drug development, and rising popularity of biologic drugs among others.

    4. Who are the key players operating in Global API Market?

    Some of the key market players operating in the active pharmaceutical ingredients market includes Aurobindo Pharma, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Pfizer Inc, Novartis AG, BASF SE, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Lupin Ltd, Viatris, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Merck KGaA, AbbVie Inc., Bristol Myers-Squibb Company, Cipla Inc, Divi's Laboratories Limited, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Albemarle Corporation, Orion Corporation, Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a., AstraZeneca, and others.

    5. Which region would exhibit fastest growth in API Market?

    Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to register the fastest growth in revenue generation in the global API market. This can be ascribed to the large presence of patient pool, growing interest in the APAC region as a manufacturing hub, rising population of the elderly, among other factors in the region.

    Please Note: It will take 7-10 business days to complete the report upon order confirmation.


1.API Market Report Introduction
2.API Market Executive Summary
2.1 Scope of the Study
2.2 Market at Glance
2.3 Competitive Assessment
2.4 Financial Benchmarking
3. Regulatory and Patent Analysis
3.1 The United States
3.2 Europe
3.3 Japan
3.4 China
4. API Market Key Factors Analysis
4.1 API Market Drivers
4.1.1 Increasing Prevalence of Various Diseases
4.1.2 Rising Geriatric Population
4.1.3 Increasing Focus on Drug Development
4.1.4 Rising Popularity of Biologic Drugs
4.2 API Market Restraints and Challenges
4.2.1 Stringent Regulatory Guidelines for API Production and Approval
4.2.2 High Investment Costs
4.3 API Market Opportunities
4.3.1 Introduction of Global Regulatory Pathway for API Approval
4.3.2 Redesigning Global Supply Chains
5. API Market Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
5.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
5.3 Threat of New Entrants
5.4 Threat of Substitutes
5.5 Competitive Rivalry
6. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on API Market
7. API Market Layout
7.1 By Type
7.1.1 Innovative
7.1.2 Generic
7.2 By Manufacturer Type
7.2.1 Captive
7.2.2 Merchant
7.3 By Synthesis Type
7.3.1 Synthetic
7.3.2 Biotech
7.4 By Application Type
7.4.1 Oncology
7.4.2 Cardiology
7.4.3 Pulmonology
7.4.4 Neurology
7.4.5 Ophthalmology
7.4.6 Others
7.5 By Geography
7.5.1 North America
7.5.1.1 North America API Market, by Type
7.5.1.2 North America API Market, by Manufacturer Type
7.5.1.3 North America API Market, by Synthesis Type
7.5.1.4 North America API Market, by Application
7.5.1.5 North America API Market, by Country
7.5.1.3.1 United States
7.5.1.3.2 Canada
7.5.1.3.3 Mexico
7.5.2 Europe
7.5.2.1 Europe API Market, by Type
7.5.2.2 Europe API Market, by Manufacturer Type
7.5.2.3 Europe API Market, by Synthesis Type
7.5.2.4 Europe API Market, by Application
7.5.2.5 Europe API Market, by Country
7.5.2.3.1 France
7.5.2.3.2 Germany
7.5.2.3.3 United Kingdom
7.5.2.3.4 Italy
7.5.2.3.5 Spain
7.5.2.3.6 Russia
7.5.2.3.7 Rest of Europe
7.5.3 Asia-Pacific
7.5.3.1 Asia-Pacific API Market, by Type
7.5.3.2 Asia-Pacific API Market, by Manufacturer Type
7.5.3.3 Asia-Pacific API Market, by Synthesis Type
7.5.3.4 Asia-Pacific API Market, by Application
7.5.3.5 Asia-Pacific API Market, by Country
7.5.3.3.1 China
7.5.3.3.2 Japan
7.5.3.3.3 India
7.5.3.3.4 Australia
7.5.3.3.5 South Korea
7.5.3.3.6 Rest of Asia Pacific
7.5.4 Rest of the World (RoW)
7.5.4.1 RoW API Market, by Type
7.5.4.2 RoW API Market, by Manufacturer Type
7.5.4.3 RoW API Market, by Synthesis Type
7.5.4.4 RoW API Market, by Application
7.5.4.5 RoW API Market, by Region
7.5.4.3.1 Middle East
7.5.4.3.2 Africa
7.5.4.3.3 South America
8. API Market Global Company Share Analysis – Key 3-5 Companies
9. API Market Company and Product Profiles
9.1 Aurobindo Pharma
9.1.1. Company Overview
9.1.2. Company Snapshot
9.1.3. Financial Overview
9.1.4 Product Listing
9.1.5. Entropy
9.2 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
9.2.1. Company Overview
9.2.2. Company Snapshot
9.2.3. Financial Overview
9.2.4 Product Listing
9.2.5. Entropy
9.3 Pfizer Inc
9.3.1. Company Overview
9.3.2. Company Snapshot
9.3.3. Financial Overview
9.3.4 Product Listing
9.3.5. Entropy
9.4 Novartis AG
9.4.1. Company Overview
9.4.2. Company Snapshot
9.4.3. Financial Overview
9.4.4 Product Listing
9.4.5. Entropy
9.5 BASF SE
9.5.1. Company Overview
9.5.2. Company Snapshot
9.5.3. Financial Overview
9.5.4 Product Listing
9.5.5. Entropy
9.6 Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
9.6.1. Company Overview
9.6.2. Company Snapshot
9.6.3. Financial Overview
9.6.4 Product Listing
9.6.5. Entropy
9.7 Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd
9.7.1. Company Overview
9.7.2. Company Snapshot
9.7.3. Financial Overview
9.7.4 Product Listing
9.7.5. Entropy
9.8 Lupin Ltd.
9.8.1. Company Overview
9.8.2. Company Snapshot
9.8.3. Financial Overview
9.8.4 Product Listing
9.8.5. Entropy
9.9 Viatris
9.9.1. Company Overview
9.9.2. Company Snapshot
9.9.3. Financial Overview
9.9.4 Product Listing
9.9.5. Entropy
9.10 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
9.10.1. Company Overview
9.10.2. Company Snapshot
9.10.3. Financial Overview
9.10.4 Product Listing
9.10.5. Entropy
9.11 Merck KGaA
9.11.1. Company Overview
9.11.2. Company Snapshot
9.11.3. Financial Overview
9.11.4 Product Listing
9.11.5. Entropy
9.12 AbbVie Inc
9.12.1. Company Overview
9.12.2. Company Snapshot
9.12.3. Financial Overview
9.12.4 Product Listing
9.12.5. Entropy
9.13 Bristol Myers-Squibb Company
9.13.1. Company Overview
9.13.2. Company Snapshot
9.13.3. Financial Overview
9.13.4 Product Listing
9.13.5. Entropy
9.14 Cipla Inc
9.14.1. Company Overview
9.14.2. Company Snapshot
9.14.3. Financial Overview
9.14.4 Product Listing
9.14.5. Entropy
9.15 Divi's Laboratories Limited
9.15.1. Company Overview
9.15.2. Company Snapshot
9.15.3. Financial Overview
9.15.4 Product Listing
9.15.5. Entropy
9.16 GlaxoSmithKline plc
9.16.1. Company Overview
9.16.2. Company Snapshot
9.16.3. Financial Overview
9.16.4 Product Listing
9.16.5. Entropy
9.17 Albemarle Corporation
9.17.1. Company Overview
9.17.2. Company Snapshot
9.17.3. Financial Overview
9.17.4 Product Listing
9.17.5. Entropy
9.18 Orion Corporation
9.18.1. Company Overview
9.18.2. Company Snapshot
9.18.3. Financial Overview
9.18.4 Product Listing
9.18.5. Entropy
9.19 Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a
9.19.1. Company Overview
9.19.2. Company Snapshot
9.19.3. Financial Overview
9.19.4 Product Listing
9.19.5. Entropy
9.20 AstraZeneca
9.20.1. Company Overview
9.20.2. Company Snapshot
9.20.3. Financial Overview
9.20.4 Product Listing
9.20.5. Entropy
10. KOL Views
11. Project Approach
12. About DelveInsight
13. Disclaimer & Contact Us

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