Drug Repurposing Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Orally Administered Drugs, Intravenously Administered Drugs), By Application (Oncology, CNS Diseases, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Others), and Regional Forecast to 2033

• 

  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

DRUG REPURPOSING MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW

The global drug repurposing market was valued at approximately USD 1.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.66 billion in 2025, further expanding to USD 4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of about 11% from 2025 to 2033.

Drug repurposing operates within the market by identifying fresh clinical applications for already manufactured medicines rather than creating brand new drugs. The established safety testing of drugs enables this method to reduce both expense and operational duration. Drug repurposing enables patients to receive new treatments more expeditiously because it uses tested medications for alternative therapeutic approaches when treatment alternatives are scarce. Artificial intelligence-based technologies currently assist both research institutions and companies to accelerate identifying new uses for pharmaceutical compounds. Drug repurposing has become more economical while also providing increased operational efficiency through these developments. Drug repurposing markets grow steadily because physicians treat rising cases of chronic diseases particularly cancer and brain conditions with pre-existing medications. Pharmaceutical corporations team up with research organizations to discover fresh usages for their medications resulting in additional discoveries. The market faces several ongoing obstacles which involve patent protections together with regulatory standards alongside competition from generic pharmaceutical products..

COVID-19 IMPACT

 Drug Repurposing Industry Had a Positive Effect Due to Accelerated Treatment Development During COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The emergence of COVID-19 prompted healthcare authorities to find immediate effective treatment solutions. The exploration of drug repurposing emerged because researchers needed to shorten the development timeline of new drugs which traditionally require extensive effort and financial resources. Through this method researchers minimized project risks while bringing down expenses and bypassing certain initial testing phases before proceeding with clinical trials. The pharmaceutical industry accelerated drug repurposing initiatives through advanced technology systems used for identifying medications with promise. Scientists identified various novel treatment options even though the drugs had not undergone previous COVID-19 tests.

LATEST TRENDS

AI-Powered Drug Discovery is Speeding Up Approvals and Lowering Costs

The implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables quick drug development through the identification of existing medications suitable for treating newly emerging diseases. The vast amount of medical data processed by AI within weeks leads to quicker identification of potential treatments at reduced prices. The faster regulatory assessment process enables pharmaceutical firms to market their effective drugs at greater speed. Drugs can now be repurposed at higher accuracy rates through AI which decreases failed testing and achieves better success outcomes from drug development processes

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

DRUG REPURPOSING MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

• Orally Administered Drugs: These are pills or capsules taken by mouth. They are popular because they are easy to use, have longer-lasting effects, and are more affordable than injections.

• Intravenously Administered Drugs: These drugs are given directly into the bloodstream through injections or IV drips. They work faster than oral drugs, making them ideal for critical conditions.

By Application

• Oncology (Cancer Treatment): Many existing drugs are being repurposed to fight different types of cancer. This is helping to improve survival rates while reducing the time and cost of developing new cancer therapies.

• CNS Diseases (Brain and Nerve Disorders): Conditions like epilepsy, depression, and anxiety are being treated with repurposed drugs that were originally designed for other illnesses, providing new hope for patients with limited treatment options.

• Neurodegenerative Diseases (Memory and Movement Disorders): Diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are benefiting from repurposed drugs that slow disease progression, offering better quality of life for patients.

• Others: Drug repurposing is also being explored for autoimmune diseases, infections, and rare genetic disorders, where finding new treatments is often slow and expensive.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factor

Lower Costs and Faster Approvals Drive Drug Repurposing Growth

Drugs that undergo repurposing reduce the expenses of research and development thus making this approach appealing to pharmaceutical organizations. The development process of traditional drugs extents for ten years and requires billions of dollars yet repurposed drugs benefit from established safety information which accelerates regulatory approval processes. Companies can speed up their treatment release to market through this process which benefits patients who urgently need medical care. The FDA and EMA together with other regulatory bodies have put forward expedited approval systems for drugs being repurposed which enhances their market adoption rates. The rising health care expenses and limited development in specific medical fields make drug repurposing an efficient financial alternative. Companies within the pharmaceutical industry can stretch the usable period of current medications to gain longer profits by treating unmet medical requirements. Biotech startups together with investors notice AI-driven repurposing projects as promising ventures that offer high returns while posing less risk compared to conventional opportunities.

Rising Disease Burden Increases Demand for Effective Repurposed Therapies

Growing incidents of chronic diseases along with rare and neurodegenerative disorders create an urgent need for new and more effective treatment alternatives. The current therapeutic shortages regarding diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s generates a strong case for using drug repurposing methods to fill these medical voids. Healthcare demand grows because patients need cheaper yet efficient treatments as population age rises and environmental elements boost disease occurrence. The drug repurposing movement receives high priority from state organizations along with healthcare institutions targeting fatal illnesses that have few available therapeutic choices. Existing drugs must undergo a process of repurposing to provide urgent therapeutic treatments for newly emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Restraining Factor

Strict regulations delay approvals, making drug repurposing slow and costly

Bringing an old medicine back for a new use isn’t easy because of legal and approval issues. Governments have strict rules to ensure safety, which makes the process long and expensive. Whenever a patented medication loses its protection, companies making generic versions can decrease investment profits in drug repurposing initiatives. Limited protection would cause businesses to show reluctance toward taking necessary risks. Healthcare providers show hesitation toward approved medications being used in novel therapies because they worry about potential legal consequences. The existing hurdles obstruct pharmaceutical firms in their ability to rapidly present beneficial pharmaceuticals to those requiring them.

Opportunity

Advanced technology speeds up discovery, creating new treatment possibilities

Artificial intelligence and data analysis are making it easier to find new uses for old medicines. Computers can quickly scan thousands of drugs and match them with diseases, saving time and money. This means scientists can focus on medicines that have a higher chance of success. Also, many diseases still don’t have good treatments, so repurposing can fill these gaps. Governments and health organizations are also supporting this approach by funding research. If done right, this can lead to faster cures, fewer failed experiments, and cheaper treatments. With better tools and funding, repurposing medicines could be the key to treating many tough diseases.

Challenge

Cheaper alternatives reduce profits, discouraging investment in repurposed drugs

Various cheaper versions of medicines known as generics can now easily reach the market. The process of developing an old medicine for a new illness becomes less profitable when the generic version of that drug already exists on the market. The availability of generic versions reduces the ability of businesses to gain their investment back. A new medicinal application would not persuade consumers to increase their drug expenditures. Companies refrain from pharmaceutical repurposing because they determine that specific medicines will lead to insufficient profits. This challenge makes repurposing less attractive for big pharmaceutical companies.

• Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

•  

MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America 

North America holds the largest share in the global drug repurposing market due to advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong research funding, and a well-established pharmaceutical sector. The United States e-link r-reader market has also witnessed innovation in digital health, supporting AI-driven drug discovery. Government initiatives, including FDA fast-track approvals for repurposed drugs, drive market expansion. The presence of key industry players like Pfizer, AbbVie, and Novartis further strengthens regional growth. Additionally, collaborations between biotech firms and academic institutions accelerate drug development.

• Europe

The market for drug repurposing in Europe functions because of government investment and strict regulatory systems and growing commitments to study rare diseases. Countries like Germany, the UK, and France lead in clinical trials and pharmaceutical innovation. The European Medicines Agency through its fast-track authorization process provides pharmaceutical companies with new growth potential for repurposed drugs. Drug discovery systems operated by AI together with public-private alliances have successfully expedited the process of drug repositioning. The increasing number of individuals who develop neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s drives the need for therapies obtained through drug repositioning approaches..

• Asia

Drug repurposing markets within Asia-Pacific have seen strong growth because pharmaceutical manufacturing activity is expanding while diseases get more widespread and healthcare organizations increase their financial investments. Three countries that lead the drug discovery and repositioning revolution are China alongside Japan and India since they promote these initiatives through governmental support. The drug development efficiency of the region improves through the strong CRO network that operates in the area. Healthcare adoption of AI and machine learning technology increases the speed of drug repurposing activities. The market growth gets an additional boost from the rising need for affordable medication solutions in developing regions.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies Innovate to Stay Ahead in a Competitive Industry

To stay relevant, major companies are focusing on research, partnerships, and technology. Pfizer (U.S.) and Novartis (Switzerland) are using artificial intelligence to speed up drug discovery. Roche (Switzerland) and AbbVie (U.S.) are investing in drug repurposing for cancer and rare diseases. Astellas Pharma (Japan) is expanding its research collaborations. Allergan (U.S.) is leveraging its expertise in neurology. Mylan Inc (U.S.) is increasing affordable drug options. SOM Biotech (Spain) and NuMedii (U.S.) use AI for finding new uses for existing medicines. These companies are adapting by investing in smart technology, forming partnerships, and focusing on faster, cost-effective solutions.

List Of Top Drug Repurposing Companies

• Pfizer (U.S.)
• Novartis (Switzerland)
• Roche (Switzerland)
• AbbVie (U.S.)
• Astellas Pharma (Japan)
• Allergan (U.S.)
• Mylan Inc (U.S.)
• SOM Biotech (Spain)
• NuMedii (U.S.)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

March 2023, Many pharmaceutical corporations initiated their usage of artificial intelligence systems to find additional applications for their existing drugs. The research methods adopted by pharmaceutical companies accelerated their operations at a lower cost while enhancing their probability of success. Pfizer alongside Novartis utilized AI companies to analyze extensive healthcare data for finding medical solutions against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. This shift towards AI-driven research made drug development faster and more efficient. By reducing trial-and-error processes, companies saved time and resources, ultimately bringing effective treatments to patients quicker. This development marked a major step in the way medicines are discovered and repurposed.

REPORT COVERAGE

This report is based on historical analysis and forecast calculations that aim to help readers get a comprehensive understanding of the global Drug Repurposing Market from multiple angles, providing sufficient support for strategic planning and decision-making. It includes a detailed SWOT analysis and offers insights into future developments within the industry.

The study explores various factors contributing to market growth, identifying dynamic segments and potential areas of innovation that could shape its trajectory in the coming years. By considering both recent trends and historical milestones, the report delivers a well-rounded understanding of market competition and highlights key opportunities for expansion. This research incorporates both quantitative and qualitative segmentation analysis, evaluating the impact of strategic and financial factors on market performance. Additionally, regional assessments take into account dominant supply and demand forces influencing growth. The competitive landscape is thoroughly examined, including market shares of major industry players. Utilizing unconventional research techniques, methodologies, and key strategic insights, this report provides valuable and in-depth analysis of market dynamics in a professional and accessible manner.