Overview
Global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market reached US$ YY million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ YY million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of YY% during the forecast period 2024-2031.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. It occurs in the joints on both sides of the body, which makes it different from other types of arthritis.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However clinical studies indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). DMARDs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Common DMARDs include methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, others), leflunomide (Arava), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage.
Market Dynamics: Drivers
Rising innovative product launches
The rising innovative product launches are expected to drive the market over the forecast period. Innovative product launches bring new treatment options to the market by offering patients a broader range of choices to manage rheumatoid arthritis. The introduction of biosimilar versions represents another facet of innovation in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market. Biosimilars offer comparable efficacy and safety to their reference products at lower costs, expanding access to treatment and generating cost savings for healthcare systems, patients and payers.
For instance, on March 01, 2023, Enzene Biosciences announced the commercial release of its biosimilar for Adalimumab, a drug used to treat Ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Enzene’s continuous manufacturing platform significantly reduces costs and the company expects to improve access to treatment for millions of patients across India. Enzene’s novel platform offers higher productivity than traditional manufacturing processes, further reducing costs.
Ongoing research and clinical trials into the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis continue to identify new therapeutic targets, driving innovation in drug discovery and development. Targeting specific immune pathways or cytokines implicated in RA pathogenesis may lead to the creation of more effective and targeted therapeutics with fewer off-target effects.
For instance, on October 27, 2022, GSK plc provided an update on the ContRAst phase III program for otilimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), in the potential treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The ContRAst phase IIl program enrolled a broad range of difficult-to-treat patients who had an inadequate response to or could not tolerate available treatments. ContRAst-1 and ContRAst-2 met their primary endpoints of a statistically significant ACR20 response versus placebo at week 12 in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate (ContRAst-1) and conventional synthetic or biologic DMARDs (ContRAst-2).
Additionally, on May 31, 2023, IGM Biosciences, Inc. released that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for imvotamab, an IgM-based CD20 X CD3 bispecific antibody T cell engager by enabling the initiation of Phase 1b studies in both severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Company plans to begin patient enrollment in both multicenter clinical studies in the third quarter of 2023.
Further, the increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, rising regulatory approvals for novel products, increasing clinical trials to develop more therapeutics, increasing awareness about the condition, availability of OTC drugs and increasing technological advancements in the development of novel therapeutics are the factors expected to drive the market over the forecast period.
Restraints
Factors such as side effects associated with various types of drugs, lack of better treatment options, high cost associated with various drugs and regulatory challenges are the factors expected to hamper the market.
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Segment Analysis
The global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market is segmented based on drug class, route of administration, distribution channel and region.
The Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) segment accounted for approximately 43.6% of the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market share
The Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. NSAIDs can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. NSAIDs work by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are involved in the production of prostaglandins, lipid compounds that mediate inflammation, pain and fever. By blocking COX enzymes, NSAIDs reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby alleviating pain and inflammation.
For instance, on September 15, 2021, Lupin launched generic Duexis tablets used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the US market. The company has launched an authorized generic version of Horizon Medicines LLC’s Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine) tablets, 800 mg/26.6 mg.
NSAIDs are primarily used to provide symptomatic relief from pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. They help improve joint function and mobility by allowing patients to better manage their daily activities and maintain quality of life. These drugs also show better efficacy by combined with other drugs.
For instance, on August 04, 2021, Alkem Laboratories launched Ibuprofen and Famotidine tablets, used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, in the US. Alkem Laboratories has launched Ibuprofen and Famotidine tablets in the strength of 800 mg/26.6 mg in the United States, following approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Geographical Analysis
North America accounted for approximately 42.5% of the market share
North America region is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period owing to the strong presence of major players and rising demand for rheumatoid arthritis drugs. North America especially the United States is a very well-known hub for its strong presence of major players such as pharmaceutical companies, which aim to launch a wide range of innovative therapeutics and biosimilars for better management of rheumatoid arthritis in the region.
For instance, on July 04, 2023, Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon launched a biosimilar version of AbbVie’s top-selling biologic Humira (generically called adalimumab) in the US market under the brand name HULIO. Adalimumab is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Humira contributed $21.2 billion in sales to AbbVie for 2022.
In addition, there is a rising demand for rheumatoid arthritis drugs in the region due to the increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, according to Pfizer, more than 30 million American adults, over half of which are under age 65 have osteoarthritis and more than 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis.

Competitive Landscape
The major global players in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market include AbbVie Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genentech USA, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Amgen Inc., Biogen Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Janssen Biotech, Inc. among others.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the reorganization of healthcare settings affecting the delivery of clinical care to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to underlying altered immunity, treatment with immunosuppressants including glucocorticoids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and comorbidities.
Market Segmentation
By Drug Class


    • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
    • Corticosteroids
    • Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
    • Biologics
    • Analgesics
    • Others


By Route of Administration


  • • Oral
    • Parenteral
    • Others


By Distribution Channel


  • • Hospital Pharmacies
    • Online Pharmacies
    • Retail Pharmacies


By Region


  • • North America


o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico


  • • Europe


o Germany
o U.K.
o France
o Spain
o Italy
o Rest of Europe


  • • South America


o Brazil
o Argentina
o Rest of South America


  • • Asia-Pacific


o China
o India
o Japan
o Australia
o Rest of Asia-Pacific


  • • Middle East and Africa


Why Purchase the Report?


  • • To visualize the global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market segmentation based on drug class, route of administration, distribution channel and region as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
    • Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development
    • Excel data sheet with numerous data points of rheumatoid arthritis drugs market-level with all segments.
    • PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
    • Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.


The global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market report would provide approximately 61 tables, 60 figures and 187 Pages.
Target Audience 2024


  • • Manufacturers/ Buyers
    • Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
    • Research Professionals
    • Emerging Companies