Antibody Drug Conjugates Market

The global antibody drug conjugates market size is projected to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period, 2021–2028. The growth of the market is attributed to the linker technology improvements as well as intensive R&D efforts.

Antibody medication conjugates (ADCs) are a new type of agent that combines an antibody with a cytotoxic drug via a chemical linker. ADC is meant to use monoclonal antibodies great specificity to deliver strong cytotoxic compounds to antigen-expressing tumor cells.

The conjugates are made up of four parts: an antibody specific for the target associated antigen, an antigen with limited expression on normal cells, a cytotoxic agent targeted to kill target cancer cells, and a chemical linker that connects the cytotoxic agent to the antibody. ADCs are considered to be a new generation of medicinal agents as they combine the ability of monoclonal antibodies to target individual cells with the ability of cytotoxic medicines to kill specific cells.

Chemotherapy is used to kill rapidly developing tumor cells but has the potential to harm healthy growing cells, resulting in unwanted side effects. ADCs, on the other hand, are intended to improve therapy efficacy while lowering systemic toxicity.

There are now more than 50 ADCs in clinical trials, with three to four ADCs expected to be commercially introduced in the market over the projected period. Many businesses, mostly in the United States and Europe, are working on antibody-drug conjugates and 70 to 80% of ADC manufacturers are outsourced. ADC development is difficult, and only a few Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) have the expertise to do so.

Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

• Increasing number of cancer patients, large number of the aging population are expected to push the market growth.
• Rapid development of oncology research and collaboration between research institutes, biotechnology, and biopharmaceutical companies are anticipated to boost the market expansion in the coming years.
• Rising incidences of chronic illness and disorders including obesity is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.
• Requirement of high capital investment and extensive specialized training for operators are major challenges projected to hamper the market growth.

Scope of Antibody Drug Conjugates Market Report

The report on the global antibody drug conjugates market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Antibody Drug Conjugates Market Segment Insights

Breast cancer segment is projected to account for a key market share

Based on applications, the antibody drug conjugates market is segmented into blood cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and brain tumor. The blood cancer is further bifurcated into leukemia and lymphoma. The breast cancer segment is expected to account for a key share of the market during the forecast period due to the high global prevalence of breast cancer.

As per the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer representing around 2.09 million cases was the highest number of cancer type in 2018, same figure with lung cancer. ADCs combine antibodies' sensitive and unique targeting properties, which allow for sensitive differentiation between malignant and healthy tissues, with cytotoxic medicines' cell-killing capacity.

Cleavable linker segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace

On the basis of technology, the market is bifurcated into cleavable linker and non-cleavable linker. These two technology are the most commonly utilized to link the payloads of cytotoxic anticancer drugs. For example, Adcetris and Kadcyla, two of the most popular ADCs, contain both cleavable and non-cleavable linkers. The cleavable linker segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period owing to wide usage of these linkers and the high number of products in the pipeline.

One of the most difficult aspects of developing successful and safe ADCs is finding acceptable chemical linkers between the monoclonal antibody and the cytotoxic agent. The synthesis of linker chemistry is relatively difficult, and many factors must be balanced to ensure efficacy; ultimately, the type of linker utilized determines the cytotoxin's release profile.

North America is anticipated to dominate the market

On the basis of regions, the global antibody drug conjugates market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The market of North America is anticipated to expand at an impressive CAGR during the forecast period. The regional market growth can be attributed to presence of significant market players such as Pfizer, Roche, Seattle Genetics, and AbbVie.

The majority of ADCs currently in development are in the United States. In addition, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was one of the first regulatory authorities in the world to approve ADCs for various cancer treatment applications. In terms of the use of ADCs, North America is the most established market, with well-developed healthcare infrastructure and large presence of patients aware of the treatment.

Segments

Applications

• Blood Cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
• Breast Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Brain Tumor

Technology

• Cleavable Linker
• Non-cleavable Linker

Regions

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Middle East & Africa

Key Players

• Seattle Genetics, Inc.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Pfizer Inc.
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
• AbbVie Inc.

Competitive Landscape

Key players competing in the global antibody drug conjugates market are Seattle Genetics, Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Pfizer Inc.; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; and AbbVie Inc. To enhance their market share, the corporations are employing various marketing techniques such as geographic expansion, alliances, and R&D activities.

Seattle Genetics, Inc., for example, recently teamed up with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to develop and market Adcetris on a global scale. Under the terms of the agreement, Seattle Genetics agreed to maintain commercial rights to Adcetris in the United States and Canada, while Takeda was allowed to have commercial rights to the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics is expected to maintain its leadership in this domain during the forecast period, with over 20 ADCs in development. Furthermore, Pfizer approved two new medications, Besponsa and Mylotarg, for use in developed nations, both of which contain cleavable linkers.