Long-Acting Drugs Market revenue expected to hit US$12.2 Bn by 2032, notes Persistence Market Research

The long-acting drugs market is entering a period of accelerated expansion as healthcare systems shift toward therapies that improve adherence, reduce dosing frequency, and optimize clinical outcomes in chronic diseases. In 2025, the global market is expected to reach US$ 6.7 billion, with projections pushing it to US$ 12.2 billion by 2032, representing a strong CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by escalating demand for sustained-release formulations, rising chronic disease prevalence such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, and CNS disorders, and increasing patient preference for convenient dosing regimens that reduce treatment burden.

North America remains the leading regional market, capturing roughly 41.2% of global revenue due to its advanced drug delivery research ecosystem, rapid FDA approvals, and strong adoption of long-acting injectables across oncology, cardiovascular care, psychiatry, and infectious diseases. Meanwhile, the microsphere-based delivery systems segment leads the market, accounting for nearly 43.5% of global share, given its ability to support controlled drug release over months while improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Collectively, these factors shape the competitive landscape of the long-acting drugs market and underpin its sustained global momentum.

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Key Highlights from the Report

• Global market expected to reach US$ 12.2 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 8.9%.
• North America projected to hold 41.2% market share by 2025.
• Microsphere-based systems remain the dominant delivery technology with 43.5% share.
• Cancer emerges as the leading therapeutic area, representing 37.7% of global revenue.
• Asia Pacific identified as the fastest-growing region through 2032.
• Rising adoption of polymer depot systems is significantly boosting long-acting formulations in CNS and HIV care.

Market Segmentation Overview

The long-acting drugs market can be segmented on the basis of delivery technology, therapeutic area, and end users, each contributing uniquely to the market's growth narrative. Delivery technology remains the most influential segmentation layer, with microsphere-based systems dominating the field due to their ability to encapsulate active molecules within biodegradable polymers such as PLGA. These systems allow for extended release over days or months and are widely used across oncology, psychiatric disorders, hormonal therapies, and infectious diseases. Polymer depots also show growth potential, especially in CNS and HIV treatment, where daily oral regimens often lead to patient non-adherence. Innovations in depot formulations are expanding their use in next-generation HIV prevention and long-term psychiatric treatment.

Therapeutic segmentation highlights the commanding role of oncology, accounting for over 37% of the total market. Cancer treatments increasingly rely on sustained-release chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies that reduce toxicity and simplify dosing regimens. In conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, adoption of long-acting injectables supports consistent plasma-level management, reducing relapse rates. Additionally, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and infectious diseases represent substantial end-use segments as long-acting formulations ease chronic management.

Across end users, hospitals and specialized clinics account for significant demand due to the need for skilled biomedical handling of long-acting injectables, although home-care settings are seeing increasing adoption as more convenient formulations enter the market.

Regional Insights

North America continues to dominate the market due to its advanced biopharmaceutical ecosystem, high chronic disease prevalence, and strong regulatory pipeline supporting long-acting formulations. Widespread adoption of injectable therapies such as long-acting antipsychotics and HIV prevention drugs further cements the region's leadership. Favorable reimbursement policies and robust clinical research networks enhance its competitive edge.

Europe remains the second-largest market, supported by an aging population, high healthcare spending, and progressive regulatory frameworks encouraging innovation in drug delivery. EMA's approval of twice-yearly injectable HIV therapies and enhanced clinical trial regulations support cross-border collaborations aimed at developing long-acting therapies for oncology and CNS disorders.

Asia Pacific stands out as the fastest-growing market, driven by rising chronic disease prevalence in India, China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Government initiatives for affordable therapies, expanding clinical trial activity, and investment in sustained-release technologies are accelerating uptake. Increasing patient awareness and improvements in healthcare infrastructure further amplify growth across the region.

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Market Drivers

A major driver of the long-acting drugs market is the rapid evolution of polymer depot technologies used in sustained-release formulations. Biodegradable polymers such as PLGA enable highly controlled release profiles, ensuring stable therapeutic levels over prolonged periods and improving outcomes in CNS disorders and HIV prevention. In schizophrenia and bipolar disorder management, long-acting injectables significantly reduce relapse rates by addressing the chronic challenge of poor oral medication adherence.

HIV prevention has experienced transformative progress with injectable long-acting agents like cabotegravir, which provides bi-monthly protection, representing a substantial leap from daily oral PrEP. Increasing R&D in polymer science and precision dosing is expanding the applicability of depot systems to new therapeutic areas, improving both patient compliance and overall healthcare cost efficiency.

Another strong market driver is the rising burden of chronic diseases across the globe. With millions of new cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes cases diagnosed annually, the need for extended-release medications that simplify treatment regimens has never been greater. These therapies reduce dosing frequency, mitigate side effects, and increase adherence-key factors that drive both clinical outcomes and market growth.

Market Restraints

Despite promising growth prospects, the long-acting drugs market faces challenges related to the technical complexities of developing and manufacturing long-acting injectable (LAI) systems. Ensuring sterility while maintaining physicochemical stability of particulate suspensions remains a critical hurdle. Micronized drug particles are often sensitive to sterilization processes like steam or gamma irradiation, which can disrupt particle size distribution and alter drug release profiles. Consequently, manufacturers rely on aseptic processing, which increases production costs and elevates the risk of contamination if strict bioburden controls are not maintained.
Additionally, excipients used to improve suspension stability can create scalability and regulatory acceptance challenges, slowing down product approval timelines.

High production costs and stringent regulatory scrutiny further restrict market expansion, particularly for small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies. These technical, regulatory, and cost-related barriers collectively challenge the commercialization of long-acting therapies.

Market Opportunities

The pipeline for oral long-acting biologics and peptides presents one of the most significant opportunities for future market expansion. Breakthroughs in absorption enhancers, protective coatings, and nanoparticle technologies are enabling biologics-traditionally injectable-to be transformed into orally available long-acting formulations. The success of oral semaglutide, enabled by SNAC technology, demonstrates how protective excipients can dramatically improve peptide absorption. Likewise, emerging therapies such as Eli Lilly's orforglipron showcase the potential for small-molecule GLP-1 agonists to deliver injection-level efficacy in a convenient oral format.

With obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders on the rise globally, patient-friendly oral long-acting therapies represent an enormous commercial opportunity. Advances in molecular design, controlled-release matrices, and gastric-resistant coatings are poised to open new therapeutic categories to long-acting oral delivery, unlocking long-term growth for the industry.

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Company Insights

• Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson & Johnson)
• Novartis AG
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
• ViiV Healthcare
• Alkermes
• Tolmar, Inc.
• Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Indivior PLC
• AstraZeneca
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
• Ipsen Pharma
• Gilead Sciences, Inc.
• Organon USA Inc.
• Endo, Inc.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Verity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Market Segmentation

By Delivery Technology

Liposome-Based Systems
Microsphere-Based Systems
Polymer-Based Depots
In-Situ Forming Gels
Nanoparticle-based systems

By Route of Administration

Injectable
Implant
Oral

By Therapeutic Area

Cancer
Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders
Hormone Disorders
Infectious Diseases
Pain Management
Contraception

By Material Used

Polymer
Non-Polymer

By Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies
Retail Pharmacies
Online Pharmacies
Specialty Clinics

By Region

North America
Europe
East Asia
South Asia & Oceania
Latin America
Middle East and Africa

Recent Developments

In July 2025, Novartis secured FDA approval for Leqvio® (inclisiran) as a first-line monotherapy for LDL-C reduction, reinforcing its position as a pioneering siRNA-based long-acting therapy.

In July 2025, Pacira entered a strategic partnership with Johnson & Johnson MedTech to expand access to ZILRETTA®, a leading extended-release corticosteroid injection for knee osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

The long-acting drugs market is poised for robust expansion through 2032, supported by rising global prevalence of chronic diseases, rapid advances in sustained-release technologies, and growing patient preference for simplified dosing regimens. While technical challenges in sterility and formulation stability persist, innovations in microspheres, polymer depots, and oral long-acting delivery are transforming therapeutic possibilities across oncology, HIV, CNS disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular care. North America leads the market with strong regulatory support and advanced drug delivery ecosystems, while Asia Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region due to expanding healthcare infrastructure and rising chronic disease burden. As companies continue to invest in next-generation delivery platforms and cross-disciplinary partnerships, the long-acting drugs market is set to deliver significant improvements in clinical outcomes, adherence, and overall patient experience worldwide.

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