Head And Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Therapy Type (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy), By Route Of Administration, By Distribution Channel, By Region- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2033

The global head and neck cancer therapeutics market size was exhibited at USD 3.22 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 10.74 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.

Key Takeaways:

• North America dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of around 48.0% in 2023.
• The immunotherapy segment dominated the market and is expected to witness a significant revenue share of 43.8% in 2023.
• The injectable segment dominated the market and is expected to witness a significant revenue share of 88.2% in 2023.
• The retail and specialty pharmacies segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 60% in 2023.

Head And Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Report Scope

The increasing prevalence of head and neck cancer is anticipated to fuel market growth. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in the U.S., approximately 4% of all cancer cases are related to the head and neck. It is estimated that around 66,470 people including 48,520 men and 17,950 women were diagnosed with this disease in 2022. Head and neck cancer patients are potentially at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infections as they require frequent outpatient visits to assess disease progression and the use of systemic drug therapies to control serious disease conditions.

According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, nonsurgical therapies were the most preferred treatment option for HNC patients by physicians instead of surgical treatment being first-line treatment due to COVID-19-specific multilevel risks to HNC patients. Therefore, demand for nonsurgical therapeutics such as chemotherapy, immunosuppressive, and targeted therapy increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The presence of a strong product pipeline and their expected launch will contribute to market growth. Some of the products in the pipeline are Tipifarnib (Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor), tiragolumab (anti-TIGIT), Tecentriq (atezolizumab), Rozlytrek (entrectinib), and Afatinib. Successful completion of trials and subsequent approval is anticipated to drive market growth over the forecast period. In February 2023, the U.S. FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to Tipifarnib developed by Kura Oncology, Inc., for the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This is a potent, selective, and orally administered drug.

Segments Insights:

Therapy Type Insights 

The immunotherapy segment dominated the market and is expected to witness a significant revenue share of 43.8% in 2023. According to the Cancer Research Institute, there are currently 2 approved PD-L1 inhibitors including Nivolumab (Opdivo), and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. Dostarlimab (Jemperli) is currently in Phase II clinical trials for metastatic or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, approval of new immunotherapy drugs is expected to fuel segment growth. 

Targeted therapy was the second-largest revenue-generating segment in 2023. This can be attributed to promising and effective results associated with the use of targeted therapy as a treatment option for head and neck cancer patients. This therapy includes EGFR monoclonal antibodies (nimotuzumab, panitumumab, Cetuximab, zalutumumab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (erlotinib, Gefitinib, dacomitinib, afatinib, lapatinib). However, the side effects associated with the long-term use of these therapies are linked to several complications that may restrain segment growth.

Route Of Administration Insights 

The injectable segment dominated the market and is expected to witness a significant revenue share of 88.2% in 2023. This can be attributed to factors such as the wide availability of a large number of HNC therapeutic drugs in injectable form, better availability, and high efficiency of injectable drugs. There are a large number of drugs available in injectable form. For instance, Keytruda manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., is administrated by intravenous route as an infusion in patients with head and neck cancer. 

The oral route of administration is expected to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period due to increasing oral therapeutics drugs for the treatment of patients with HNC. Inlyta (axitinib) is an orally administered HNC drug that has completed a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with head and neck cancer. Thus, the successful completion of the trial and subsequent launch are projected to drive segment growth. 

Distribution Channel Insights 

The retail and specialty pharmacies segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 60.0% in 2023. The dominance can be attributed to the high preference of manufacturers for distributing their products owing to easy access to medicines and low distribution costs. According to Drug Channels Institute’s report 2023, Humana specialty pharmacy, Accredo, CVS Specialty, Walgreens stores, and Optum specialty pharmacy were the world’s top five specialty pharmacies.

Moreover, the retail and specialty pharmacies segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the easy availability of a wide range of products. In addition, the rising number of retail pharmacies in both developed, as well as developing countries, has led to high growth in this segment. HNC products are widely available in specialty and retail pharmacies. This is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

Regional Insights 

North America dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of around 48.0% in 2023. Government support for the development of the healthcare sector, favorable reimbursement policies, high awareness about the disease, and easy accessibility to quality medical facilities are among the key factors responsible for regional market growth. 

In Asia Pacific, the market for head and neck cancer therapeutics is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period. The increasing geriatric populations and increasing prescription of immunotherapy drugs such as Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of various types of HNC are expected to drive market growth in coming years. 

Some of the prominent players in the Head and neck cancer therapeutics market include:

• Eli Lilly and Company
• Sanofi
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Clinigen Group plc.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• AstraZeneca
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global head and neck cancer therapeutics market.

Therapy Type

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted Therapy

Route of Administration

• Injectable
• Oral

Channel

• Retail & Specialty Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)