Generic Oncology Drugs Market Report 2025

The generic oncology drugs market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $27.24 billion in 2024 to $28.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to patent expirations, healthcare cost containment, increased cancer prevalence, health insurance coverage, physician prescribing practices.

The generic oncology drugs market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $37.08 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to biosimilar approvals, increased competition, telemedicine and remote care, tailored treatment paradigm, pricing pressure. Major trends in the forecast period include increased pharmacovigilance, regulatory streamlining, combination therapy focus, precision generic oncology medications, expanded market access.

The forecast of 6.6% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Trade barriers may impact U.S. cancer care affordability by increasing prices of cytotoxic drug active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemotherapy protective equipment imported from South Africa and Portugal, raising treatment costs for underserved patient populations. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The anticipated growth in the generic oncology drugs market is expected to be propelled by a significant increase in cancer patients. Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth impacting various organs, poses a considerable global health challenge with significant morbidity and mortality. The availability of cost-effective generic oncology drugs is crucial for cancer treatment, enhancing access to essential therapies, fostering market competition, and reducing healthcare costs. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in January 2022, approximately 5.4% of the US population, equivalent to 18.1 million individuals, were cancer survivors. Moreover, 623,405 people were living with metastatic cancer types, projected to increase to 693,452 by 2025, emphasizing the growing impact of cancer. Consequently, the significant rise in cancer patients is a driving force behind the growth of the generic oncology drugs market.

The growing demand for personalized medicine is anticipated to drive the expansion of the generic oncology drugs market in the future. Personalized medicine is a rapidly advancing medical approach that customizes treatments and interventions based on the unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors of each patient. Generic oncology drugs play a crucial role in personalized medicine by offering cost-effective alternatives that cater to individual patient needs and promoting wider access to targeted and specialized cancer therapies. For example, in February 2024, data from the Personalized Medicine Coalition (PMC), a US-based nonprofit organization, indicated that in 2023, the FDA approved 16 new personalized treatments for rare diseases, a significant rise from just six approvals in 2022. Thus, the increasing demand for personalized medicine is propelling the growth of the generic oncology drugs market.

A notable trend is the emergence of novel formulations, which major companies are actively pursuing in the generic oncology drugs market. These companies are concentrating on the development of innovative drug delivery systems, modified-release formulations, and alternative dosage forms to enhance patient compliance and maintain their market standing. For example, in January 2023, MSN Laboratories Private Limited, an India-based pharmaceutical company specializing in generic drugs, introduced Palborest, the world's first generic Palbociclib tablets for advanced breast cancer treatment. This generic breast cancer drug provides a cost-effective alternative to the innovator tablet while ensuring bioequivalence. Its tablet form offers advantages over capsules, allowing administration with or without food and co-administration with proton pump inhibitors or antacids. Moreover, the tablet formulation is lactose- and gelatin-free, contributing to the drug's efficacy.

Major players in the generic oncology drugs market are intensifying efforts to introduce high-quality treatment options such as Bortezomib to enhance their competitive position. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor used for multiple myelomas and certain lymphomas, inhibits cancer cell growth, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes. For instance, in May 2022, Gland Pharma, an India-based company, launched the generic cancer treatment drug Bortezomib in the US market. This drug, therapeutically equivalent to Takeda Pharmaceuticals' product, aims to offer an affordable and high-quality treatment alternative for US patients.

In March 2023, Pfizer Inc., a US-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, completed the acquisition of Seagen Inc. for $43 billion. This strategic move aligns with Pfizer's goal to reinforce its market presence as a prominent player in the oncology sector. By incorporating Seagen's diverse range of medicines, Pfizer significantly strengthens and complements its existing oncology portfolio. Seagen Inc. is a US-based manufacturer of brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS), a cancer drug.

Major companies operating in the generic oncology drugs market include Pfizer Inc., AbbVie, Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca Plc, Abbott Laboratories, Fresenius Kabi AG, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co. Inc., Baxter International Inc., Mylan N.V., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Cipla Inc., Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, Lupin Limited, Towa Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Accord Healthcare.

North America was the largest region in the generic oncology drugs market in 2024. The regions covered in the generic oncology drugs market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the generic oncology drugs market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the pharmaceutical sector. Companies are grappling with higher costs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), glass vials, and laboratory equipment - many of which have limited alternative sources. Generic drug manufacturers, already operating with minimal profit margins, are particularly affected, with some scaling back production of low-margin medications. Biotech firms are also experiencing delays in clinical trials due to shortages of specialized reagents linked to tariffs. In response, the industry is shifting API production to regions like India and Europe, building up inventory reserves, and advocating for tariff exemptions on essential medicines.

The generic oncology drugs research report is one of a series of new reports that provides generic oncology drugs market statistics, including the generic oncology drugs industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a generic oncology drugs market share, detailed generic oncology drugs market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the generic oncology drugs industry. This generic oncology drugs market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Generic oncology drugs are medications designed for cancer treatment, produced by different pharmaceutical companies after the expiration of patent protection for the original brand-name drug. These generic drugs contain identical active ingredients and share the same dosage forms, strength, route of administration, and intended use as the original brand-name drug.

Generic oncology drugs encompass two main types of molecules large molecules and small molecules. Large molecules, also known as biologics, are intricate molecules derived from living organisms, such as proteins, antibodies, or nucleic acids. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), an example of a large molecule-based generic oncology drug, is utilized in cancer treatment by targeting specific proteins or receptors on cancer cells. These drugs can be administered through oral and parenteral routes and are distributed through various channels, including hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and managed care institutions.

The generic oncology drugs market consists of sales of paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, and fluorouracil. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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