Anti-retroviral Drugs Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Drug Class (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRT), Non- Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRT's), Protease Inhibitors, Integrate Inhibitors, Fusion Inhibitors, Chemokine Receptor Inhibitors, Others), By Administration (Oral, Parenteral), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Anti-retroviral Drugs Market size was valued at US$ 34.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 46.7 billion by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 4.3% from 2025-2031. Cytopathic effects in cells in the brain and infected T cells may develop immune deficiencies and neurological diseases induced by HIV and related lentiviruses. Retrovirus causes immunological diseases including HIV and T-cell leukemia. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the retrovirus known as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and T-Cell leukaemia caused by human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV). Antiretroviral drugs are the drugs that act or inhibit certain processes in viral replication and inhibit further worsening of the diseases. Globally the market is driven by increased cases of retroviral infections such as especially HIV/AIDS.

According to WHO, 36.7 million people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2015, whereas, 1.1 million people died of AIDS-related illness in the same year. The higher prevalence of HIV owing to various factors such as lack of availability of medication for the treatment of HIV infection, promising pipeline drugs, and increased funding by the government are expected to bolster the market over the forecast period. However, high costs of R&D and stringent regulatory procedures hamper the market.

Furthermore, the availability of generic versions of blockbuster drugs affects the market revenue of antiretroviral drugs. The market is expected to grow at significant rates during the forecasting period owing to pipeline drugs such as etravirine (Merck & Co.), fostemsavir (Bristol-Myers Squibb), rilpivirine (Tibotec), etc. Market players are adopting strategies like mergers and acquisitions to improve their market share.

Key Developments

• In December 2015, ViiV Healthcare purchased Bristol-Myers Squibb's late-stage HIV R&D assets. Market players are also actively collaborating with government and non-government organizations to educate the people and increase awareness related to retroviral diseases.
• In September 2016, to eradicate and combat HIV/AIDS and hypertension in Africa, under the U.S. President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the United States partnered with AstraZeneca Plc in donating US$10 million to HIV/AIDS funding.
• In November 2016, ViiV Healthcare (Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline's joint venture) received U.S. FDA approval to market see entry for the treatment of CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infection, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.