The head and neck cancer therapeutics market size is estimated to be USD 1,589.5 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 12.78% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Rising head and neck cancer rates, rise in the world’s geriatric population, use of tobacco and alcohol, awareness of medical advancements and treatments are some of the factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, existence of a robust product pipeline and its planned launch and acceptance of immunotherapy in some nations are other factors supporting the market growth. However, negative effects of long-term usage of such medicines are expected to hinder the growth.

Rising head and neck cancer rates is predicted to spur the market growth during the projected period. About 4% of all cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), involve the head and neck. In 2022, it is anticipated that 66,470 people, 48,520 men, and 17,950 women, will have this condition.

Existence of a robust product pipeline and its planned launch is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period. Tipifarnib (a farnesyltransferase inhibitor), tiragolumab (an anti-TIGIT), Tecentriq (atezolizumab), Rozlytrek (entrectinib), and Afatinib are a few of the products in development. Over the course of the projection period, market growth is predicted to be driven by successful trial outcomes and subsequent approval. Tipifarnib, developed by Kura Oncology, Inc., was given breakthrough therapy designation by the US FDA in February 2021 for the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Segmentation

By Therapy Type

The market is categorized into immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. In 2022, the immunotherapy segment accounted for the highest revenue share due to the approval of novel immunotherapy medications. According to the Cancer Research Institute, Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are the two PD-L1 inhibitors that are currently licenced for the treatment of individuals with head and neck cancer. Dostarlimab (Jemperli) is undergoing Phase II clinical studies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has spread or recur. In 2022, targeted therapy emerged as the second-largest revenue-generating sector. This can be due to the encouraging and successful outcomes related to the use of targeted therapy as a therapeutic choice for people with head and neck cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and EGFR monoclonal antibodies (nimotuzumab, panitumumab, cetuximab, and zalutumumab) are used in this treatment (erlotinib, Gefitinib, dacomitinib, afatinib, lapatinib).

By Route of Administration

The market is categorized into oral and injectable. In the global market, the injectable segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to widespread accessibility of many HNC therapeutic drugs in injectable form, improved availability, and high efficacy of injectable treatments. Injectable forms of several drugs are readily available. For instance, patients with head and neck cancer receive an intravenous infusion of the Merck & Co., Inc. drug Keytruda. The oral route of administration is anticipated to rise at the quickest rate over the projection period due to growing number of oral therapeutic medications used to treat patients with HNC. A phase 2 clinical trial for the oral HNC drug Inlyta (axitinib) in patients with head and neck cancer has been successfully completed.

By Distribution Channel

The market is segmented into online pharmacies, retail & specialty pharmacies, and hospital pharmacies. In 2022, the retail & specialty pharmacies segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to manufacturers’ strong demand for distributing their products due to simple access to medications and inexpensive delivery costs. The top five specialty pharmacies in the globe in 2021, according to the Drug Channels Institute’s research, were Humana specialty pharmacy, Accredo, CVS Specialty, Walgreens stores, and Optum specialty pharmacy. Additionally, over the course of the forecast period, the retail and specialty pharmacies segment is also anticipated to increase at the fastest rate. This is attributed to the simple accessibility of a variety of products. Moreover, the expansion of retail pharmacies in both developed and developing nations has contributed to the segment’s rapid growth. HNC products are generally accessible in both retail and specialty pharmacies. The segment is anticipated to grow as a result of this.

Regional Markets

In 2022, North America region accounted for the highest revenue in the head and neck cancer therapeutics market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to the government assistance for the expansion of the healthcare industry, favourable reimbursement rules, increasing disease awareness, and simple access to high-quality healthcare facilities. The head and neck cancer therapeutics market in Asia Pacific is predicted to expand at the fastest rate during the forecast period. In the next years, market growth is anticipated to be driven by the growing elderly population and the rising use of immunotherapy medicines including Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of various forms of HNC.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the head and neck cancer therapeutics market are Merck & Co., Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sanofi, Clinigen Group plc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

To achieve a competitive edge, these companies are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

• For instance, Sanofi spent USD 1 billion to acquire Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2021. This acquisition broadens the company’s line of oncology products and presents a significant opportunity for the business to grow.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including therapy type, route of administration, and distribution channel from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Report 2022 – 2033

Therapy Type (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Targeted Therapy

Route of Administration (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Oral
• Injectable

Distribution Channel (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Online Pharmacies
• Retail & Specialty Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA