Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Drug (Cholinesterase Inhibitor [Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine], NMDA Receptor, Glutamate Regulator) Application (Disease Progression, Symptom Management) - Global Forecast to 2031

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Size & Forecast

The Alzheimer’s Drugs Market is projected to reach $9.62 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2031. The growth of this market can be attributed to various factors, such as the increasing burden of Alzheimer's disease globally, rising prevalence of risk factors, increase in research funding, introduction of innovative technologies, increasing number of approvals, and increasing number of clinical trials and pipeline products. Furthermore, growing research activities in developing countries, increase in awareness programs, initiatives by public and private organizations, use of combination drug therapy, and use of biomarkers and imaging techniques for diagnosis and management are expected to offer growth opportunities.

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease Globally

Alzheimer’s is a brain condition that causes a progressive decline in memory, organizing, learning, and thinking skills. It is the most common type of dementia. Neurodegenerative disorders are considered a major burden on the healthcare system and one of the major causes of disabilities across the globe. The prevalence of neurogenerative disorders is increasing owing to factors such as aging, traumatic brain injury, genetic factors, stress, and other lifestyle risk factors. According to Alzheimer's Association (U.S.), a non-profit organization focused on Alzheimer’s disease care, research, and support, in 2024, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease increased to 6.9 million in age 65 and older population from 6.2 million in 2021. Thus, the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase the demand for Alzheimer’s drugs.

Increase in Research Funding

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease leads to the rising need for novel therapies for its treatment. Many public and private players provide funding for Alzheimer’s disease research to understand the disease pathology and develop the drug accordingly. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (U.S.), Alzheimer's and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reached USD 3.8 billion in 2023 from USD 2.8 billion in 2021. Some of the recent funding are as follows:

• In May 2024, NeuroTherapia (U.S.), a clinical trial pharmaceutical company, received a grant from the Alzheimer's Association as part of the cloud program to develop its NTRX-07 drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
• In October 2023, the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, provided funding of USD 151 million to the University of California San Francisco for the clinical trial of Alzheimer’s disease. The UCSF-led trial will combine an anti-amyloid with tau therapies to arrest disease progression.

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Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Trends

Stem Cell Therapy in Alzheimer’s Treatment

Regenerative medicine is proving to be an effective therapy for various medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, ophthalmic diseases, oncology, neurological diseases, immunology & inflammation, musculoskeletal diseases, dermatological diseases, and others. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Stem cells are self-replicating and undifferentiated and can divide & develop, proving beneficial properties for Alzheimer’s drug development. Stem cell therapy has the potential to reduce the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), thereby alleviating symptoms of memory loss. In 2018, the first stem cell therapy was approved in Japan for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease developed by South Korea-based companies Nature Cell and the Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute. Since then, the research on stem cell therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has increased. Many of the stem cell therapies are in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease.

Telehealth in Alzheimer's Disease

The traditional model of care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease involves long-term residential care, which can be more costly and not comfortable with many patients. Telehealth in Alzheimer’s disease involves the utilization of video conferencing to allow patients in remote locations to obtain treatment services. It provides patients and providers with a wide range of services, including consultations, clinical & educational programs, diagnosis and assessment, medication therapy management, and routine follow-up appointments. Patients who require convenient, affordable, and easily accessible mental health care can benefit from video-based telepsychiatry. Telehealth can manage symptoms of dementia at home before they turn into life-threatening issues. Many healthcare professionals use telehealth through video calls or mobile applications to remind patients about taking medications. Thus, increasing patient adherence to Alzheimer's disease drives the market growth of Alzheimer's drugs.

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Opportunity

Combination Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Combination therapy includes the combination of two approved and used therapeutic agents in a fixed combination dosage for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Recent advancements in understanding the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease revealed the number of pathways involved in increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting these pathways together in combination has the potential to provide an advantage for Alzheimer’s disease patients. At present, combined therapy with memantine plus one cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) is considered an effective treatment for low to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In many randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs), this combination has demonstrated higher clinical efficacy than monotherapy.

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Drug Type: In 2024, the Cholinesterase Inhibitors Segment to Dominate the Alzheimer’s Drugs Market

Based on drug type, the Alzheimer’s drugs market is segmented into cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists, glutamate regulators, and combination drugs. In 2024, the cholinesterase inhibitors segment is expected to account for the largest share of 46.9% of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. The drug works by decreasing the breakdown of acetylcholine, thus helping in the improvement of cognitive functions. The rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and the increasing aging population are contributing to the demand for Cholinesterase inhibitors. The large share of the segment can be attributed to the high usage of these drugs for Alzheimer's treatment and the high number of drugs approved under this segment. At present, galantamine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and others are currently approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have proven their efficacy for the treatment of the disease. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022, cholinesterase inhibitors can slightly delay the loss of brain function in people who have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

By Application: In 2024, the Symptoms Management Segment to Dominate the Alzheimer’s Drugs Market

Based on application, the Alzheimer’s drugs market is segmented into disease progression and symptom management. In 2024, the symptoms management segment is expected to account for the largest share of 87.2% of the Alzheimer’s drugs market. Symptom management is considered an important step in Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The majority of the drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are for symptom management, thus contributing to the largest share of the segment. The symptom management drugs slow down the process of disease progression, thus helping in reducing the healthcare cost associated with it, thus increasing demand. Alzheimer's disease symptoms such as impaired judgment, memory loss, language loss, and other brain changes can make it harder to manage other health conditions, which can create further complications. Hence, the demand for symptom management is expected to increase.

Geographical Analysis

North America to Dominate the Market

In 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the 43.0% of Alzheimer’s drugs market. The large share of the region is attributed to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, increasing funding for the development of Alzheimer’s treatment, the presence of key players, the rising number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs, and favorable reimbursement policies. For instance, in February 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S.), a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program, covered a recently approved medication Leqembi (Lecanemab) used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s diseases. The drug is developed in partnership with Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan) and Biogen Inc. (U.S.).

Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is slated to register the highest growth rate of 11.4% during the forecast period. The countries in the region, including China, India, and South Korea, are expected to offer significant opportunities for market growth. The growth in the country market is attributed to the growing pharmaceutical industry, supporting government initiatives, and a large number of clinical trials conducted in the region for Alzheimer’s. Also, government bodies in the region are providing funds for research on Alzheimer’s disease, which is driving the market’s growth. For instance, in August 2023, Bredis Healthcare (South Korea) received funding of USD 1.27 million for the development of diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease. The funding is provided by the South Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups as a part of the Deep Tech Incubator Program for Startups (TIPS). Similarly, in May 2022, the Indian Health Service provided funding of USD 5 million to support urban Indian organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations to develop sustainable and comprehensive approaches to addressing Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the product offerings and geographic presence of leading market players and the key growth strategies adopted by them over the past few years (2020–2024). The key players operating in the Alzheimer’s drugs market are Biogen (U.S.), Novartis AG (Switzerland), F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Switzerland), AbbVie Inc. (U.S.), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Israel), Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan), SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (U.S.), H. Lundbeck A/S (Denmark), AC Immune SA (Switzerland), Zydus Lifesciences Limited (India), Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), and Daiichi Sankyo Company (Japan).

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In July 2023, the U.S. FDA approved lecanemab through the Accelerated Approval Pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab removes a sticky protein from the brain that is believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease progression. Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan) and Biogen Inc. (U.S.) developed the drug in partnership.

• In December 2022, Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan) collaborated with Washington University School of Medicine (U.S.) for the development of novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
• In March 2022, Corium, Inc. (U.S.) received U.S. FDA approval for ADLARITY (donepezil transdermal system) for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. ADLARITY is a once-weekly patch to continuously deliver consistent doses of donepezil through the skin.

Alzheimer’s Drugs Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the alzheimer’s drugs market report: