Antibody-Drug Conjugates Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report Application (Blood Cancer, Breast Cancer, Urothelial/Bladder Cancer), By Technology (Cleavable, Non-cleavable), By Payload Technology, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global antibody drug conjugates market size was valued at USD 5.81 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4% from 2022 to 2030. The market is primarily driven by globally rising incidences of cancer. According to Cancer Research UK estimates the number of new cancer cases worldwide is expected to reach 27.5 million by 2040. Factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, obesity, and alcohol are the major cause of rising cancer cases, worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the product sale due to the loss of health insurance coverage, decrease in hospital visits, and lower diagnosis rates. The unavailability of participants for clinical trial studies led to a delay in the potential approval of ADCs such as Adcetris for other indications.

Increasing investment in this field by the key players such as Piramal Pharma Solution, Pfizer Inc., Seagen Inc., and F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd for the development of new ADCs intended for the treatment of cancer is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in February 2022, CDMO Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) invested about USD 74.6 million in the development of two new antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) production facilities at its existing sites in Grange mouth, Scotland to fulfill the growing demand for commercial ADCs in UK. This investment strengthens PPS’ position in the market, significantly, by increasing ADC manufacturing capacity.

Most of the companies are conducting clinical trials to bring new products to the market and to gain label expansion for their already approved products. For instance, in January 2022, Seagen initiated phase-1 clinical trials of two novel antibody-drug conjugates such as SGN-B7H4V & SGN-PDL1V in patients with advanced solid tumors. In addition, the company in collaboration with Astellas completed enrollment of the patients for cohort K EV-103 trial used for the treatment of First-Line Metastatic Urothelial Cancer (mUC). Successful completion of the clinical trial study and subsequent approval of the products is expected to drive market growth. 

Application Insights

Breast cancer accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021 owing to the relatively high prevalence of the disease worldwide. According to WHO, there were around 2.26 million new breast cancer cases diagnosed worldwide in 2020, and estimated deaths due to cancer were 685,000. There are three antibody-drug conjugate products available for the treatment of breast cancer as; Trodelvy from Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Enhertu from AstraZeneca; and Kadcyla from Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Providing these drugs under the patient assistance program is expected to drive the market growth. Kadcyla offers financial assistance to eligible patients, who are publicly and commercially insured.

The blood cancer segment is expected to increase by the 15.4% CAGR  during the forecast period. Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, globally. According to the National Foundation of Cancer Research, in the U.S., a total of 186,400new cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma were diagnosed in 2021. Furthermore, the approval for multiple products during the forecast period is expected to drive market growth. For instance, in October 2019, a new product, Polivy, was launched in the market, for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Technology Insights

The cleavable linker segment accounted for the largest revenue share, in2021. The ability of cleavable linkers to remain stable in the bloodstream for longer duration & release of a cytotoxin from ADCs makes them the most popular used technology for an effective outcome of ADCs in cancer treatment.  For instance, in 2020, Seagen’s & Takeda’s Adcetris was approved by NMPA for use in the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma and relapsed systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma sALCL in China. Such factors are expected to drive the cleavable linker market segment, during the forecast period.

Non-cleavable linker was the second largest revenue-generating segment in 2021 owing to the increase in usage of Kadcyla, which contains a non-cleavable linker. Non-cleavable linker is used for the production of ADCs that are reliant on the ADC’s lysosomal degradation and prevents the non-specific release of the drug, thus reducing the overall cytotoxicity of the ADC to surrounding healthy cells. This is expected to drive the segment during the forecast period. Currently, only FDA approved ADCs such as Kadcyla and Blenrep use non-cleavable linkers for binding the antibody and cytotoxic molecule 

Linker is the key component of ADCs and it connects the antibody & cytotoxic payload. It imparts the characteristics to ADCs such as high stability in circulation and specific release of payload in the target tissue. There are number of linkers available in the market which includes VC, Sulfo-SPDB, VA, Hydrazone, SMCC, SPP, MCC, maleimide tetrapeptide, CL2A, and MC are used to deliver payloads to their target sites.

Payloads are cytotoxic agents that are used to kill target cancerous cells. Currently, there are many payloads available in the market including microtubuline inhibitors (Vinorelbine, Paclitaxel, Epothilone B, Tubulysins (IM-2, B), DNA cleavers (Bleomycin A2), Akt inhibitors (GDC - 0068), DNA intercalators (Doxorubicin hydrochloride, Epirubicin hydrochloride, Duocarmycins, PBD dimers), MMAF & MMAE. Currently, Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf) developed by GlaxoSmithKline plc. utilizes MMAF, protease linker, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody to kill target cell in adult patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2021. The well-established research facilities for the development of novel ADCs, rising per capita healthcare expenditure, and increasing prevalence of cancer are the major factors responsible for the dominance of the region. As per the American Cancer Society estimates, the incidence of cancer reached 1.9 million in 2022 and around 609,360 deaths in the U.S. The approval of new ADCs in the region is expected to drive market growth. For instance, in September 2021, the U.S. FDA approved Tidvak for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. 

Asia Pacific antibody-drug conjugates market is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.7% during the forecast period. The growth of the region is attributable to the approval of new ADCs in the region. For instance, in May 2021, Japan’s MHLW granted priority review to Astellas’s enfortumab vedotin for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced urothelial cancer. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The leading players are focusing on growth strategies, such as innovations in the existing product, approval of new products, and mergers & acquisitions to gain market share. For instance, in October 2020, Gilead completed the acquisition of Immunomedics, Inc. for around USD 21.0 billion. Additionally, in May 2020, Takeda’s Adcetris received approval from China’s NMPA for the treatment of adult patients with ALCL or systemic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Some of the prominent players in the global antibody drug conjugates market include:

• Seagen, Inc.

• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

• AstraZeneca

• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

• Pfizer, Inc.

• Gilead Sciences, Inc.

• Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited

• GlaxoSmithKline plc

• Astellas Pharma, Inc.

• ADC Therapeutics SA

Antibody Drug Conjugate Market Report Scope

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the market trends in each of the sub-markets from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antibody drug conjugates market report based on the application, technology, and region:

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • Blood Cancer

    • Leukemia

    • Lymphoma

    • Multiple Myeloma

  • Breast Cancer

  • Urothelial Cancer & Bladder Cancer

  • Other Cancer

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • Type

    • Cleavable Linker

    • Non- cleavable Linker

    • Linkerless

  • Linker Type

    • VC

    • Sulfo-SPDB

    • VA

    • Hydrazone

    • Others

  • Payload Type

    • MMAE

    • MMAF

    • DM4

    • Camptothecin

    • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Russia

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Singapore

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • MEA

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE