The global drug repurposing market size was estimated at USD 32.96 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 47.40 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.12% from 2025 to 2033. The market has gained significant traction, driven by the potential to offer both cost-effective and time-efficient solutions for pharmaceutical companies.
A critical driver of this growth is the opportunity to leverage existing drugs with well-established safety profiles, significantly reducing the need for lengthy preclinical trials and early-phase clinical development. For instance, in September 2023, the FDA approved empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance), a medication originally developed for type 2 diabetes, for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults at risk of progression, regardless of diabetes status.
Empagliflozin, developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly, has shown promising results in clinical trials for reducing the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in CKD patients. While initially approved for type 2 diabetes, this approval extends its potential beyond diabetes management, demonstrating the growing trend of repurposing existing drugs for conditions with limited treatment options. This move highlights the increasing support for drug repurposing efforts and the significant benefits of leveraging established medications for new therapeutic indications.
Furthermore, the rising prevalence of chronic and rare diseases has significantly contributed to the push for repurposed drugs. For example, in December 2022, the FDA approved cariprazine (brand name Vraylar) as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who have had an inadequate response to antidepressant therapy. Cariprazine was originally developed by Gedeon Richter and was first approved by the FDA in 2015 for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. AbbVie acquired the rights to cariprazine through its acquisition of Allergan in 2020. This approval marks the fourth indication for Vraylar, underscoring the growing trend of repurposing existing medications to address conditions with limited treatment options.
In March 2023, the FDA approved leniolisib (brand name Joenja), a medication originally developed for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), for the treatment of activated PI3K delta syndrome, a rare immune disorder. Leniolisib is a selective inhibitor of the PI3Kδ enzyme, which plays a crucial role in immune cell function. The approval of leniolisib highlights the growing trend of repurposing existing drugs to address rare and orphan diseases, where the development of new drugs can be cost-prohibitive and time-consuming. This strategic move underscores the increasing support for drug repurposing efforts to encourage the development of treatments for conditions with limited therapeutic options.
In drug repurposing, Pfizer has been actively engaged in advancing treatments for prostate cancer. In July 2021, Pfizer entered into a global collaboration with Arvinas to co-develop and co-commercialize ARV-471, an investigational oral PROTAC® (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) estrogen receptor protein degrader. This partnership aims to leverage existing treatments to address complex and underserved cancers, aligning with Pfizer's broader strategy to expand its oncology portfolio. Additionally, in April 2024, Arvinas entered into a separate licensing and asset-sale agreement with Novartis, valued at over USD 1 billion, for the development and commercialization of ARV-766, a second-generation androgen receptor degrader for prostate cancer. This move underscores the growing interest and investment in repurposing existing drugs to enhance treatment options for prostate cancer patients.
In January 2025, Bayer submitted an sNDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for Kerendia to treat adult patients with heart failure (HF) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥40%, including both mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The FDA accepted the application and granted Priority Review designation. The FDA approved this new indication on July 14, 2025, following the agency’s Priority Review of its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA
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A critical driver of this growth is the opportunity to leverage existing drugs with well-established safety profiles, significantly reducing the need for lengthy preclinical trials and early-phase clinical development. For instance, in September 2023, the FDA approved empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance), a medication originally developed for type 2 diabetes, for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults at risk of progression, regardless of diabetes status.
Empagliflozin, developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly, has shown promising results in clinical trials for reducing the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in CKD patients. While initially approved for type 2 diabetes, this approval extends its potential beyond diabetes management, demonstrating the growing trend of repurposing existing drugs for conditions with limited treatment options. This move highlights the increasing support for drug repurposing efforts and the significant benefits of leveraging established medications for new therapeutic indications.
Furthermore, the rising prevalence of chronic and rare diseases has significantly contributed to the push for repurposed drugs. For example, in December 2022, the FDA approved cariprazine (brand name Vraylar) as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who have had an inadequate response to antidepressant therapy. Cariprazine was originally developed by Gedeon Richter and was first approved by the FDA in 2015 for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. AbbVie acquired the rights to cariprazine through its acquisition of Allergan in 2020. This approval marks the fourth indication for Vraylar, underscoring the growing trend of repurposing existing medications to address conditions with limited treatment options.
In March 2023, the FDA approved leniolisib (brand name Joenja), a medication originally developed for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), for the treatment of activated PI3K delta syndrome, a rare immune disorder. Leniolisib is a selective inhibitor of the PI3Kδ enzyme, which plays a crucial role in immune cell function. The approval of leniolisib highlights the growing trend of repurposing existing drugs to address rare and orphan diseases, where the development of new drugs can be cost-prohibitive and time-consuming. This strategic move underscores the increasing support for drug repurposing efforts to encourage the development of treatments for conditions with limited therapeutic options.
In drug repurposing, Pfizer has been actively engaged in advancing treatments for prostate cancer. In July 2021, Pfizer entered into a global collaboration with Arvinas to co-develop and co-commercialize ARV-471, an investigational oral PROTAC® (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) estrogen receptor protein degrader. This partnership aims to leverage existing treatments to address complex and underserved cancers, aligning with Pfizer's broader strategy to expand its oncology portfolio. Additionally, in April 2024, Arvinas entered into a separate licensing and asset-sale agreement with Novartis, valued at over USD 1 billion, for the development and commercialization of ARV-766, a second-generation androgen receptor degrader for prostate cancer. This move underscores the growing interest and investment in repurposing existing drugs to enhance treatment options for prostate cancer patients.
In January 2025, Bayer submitted an sNDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for Kerendia to treat adult patients with heart failure (HF) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥40%, including both mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The FDA accepted the application and granted Priority Review designation. The FDA approved this new indication on July 14, 2025, following the agency’s Priority Review of its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA
Global Drug Repurposing Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, the analyst has segmented the global drug repurposing market report based on Disease Area, drug type, end use, and region :Disease Area Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021-2033)
- Oncology
- Neurology Disorders
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Conditions
- Metabolic Disorders
- Others Therapeutic Areas
Drug Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021-2033)
- Conventional Small Molecules
- Biologics and Peptide-based Drugs
End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021-2033)
- Biopharmaceutical & Pharmaceutical Companies
- Clinical Research Organizations (CROs)
- Universities & Research Institutions
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021-2033)
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Why You Should Buy This Report
- Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the market across major regions and segments.
- Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players.
- Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the market.
- Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions.
Report Deliverables
- Market intelligence to enable effective decision-making
- Market estimates and forecasts from 2018 to 2030
- Growth opportunities and trend analyses
- Segment and regional revenue forecasts for market assessment
- Competition strategy and market share analysis
- Product innovation listings for you to stay ahead of the curve
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
Chapter 3. Drug Repurposing Market Variables, Trends, & Scope
Chapter 4. Drug Repurposing Market: Disease Area Business Analysis
Chapter 5. Drug Repurposing Market: Drug Type Business Analysis
Chapter 6. Drug Repurposing Market: End Use Business Analysis
Chapter 7. Drug Repurposing Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape
List of Tables
List of Figures
Companies Mentioned
The companies profiled in this Drug Repurposing market report include:- Eli Lilly and Company
- Pfizer Inc.
- Roche Holding AG
- Novartis AG
- Bayer AG
- GSK plc
- Amgen Inc.
- Biogen Inc.
- Teva Pharmaceutical
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 150 |
| Published | October 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2033 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 32.96 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 47.4 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 4.1% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 11 |
