Incretin-based Drugs Market Size – By Drug Type, By Route of Administration, By Indication, By Distribution Channel, Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Incretin-based Drugs Market Size

The global incretin-based drugs market was estimated at USD 35.5 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from USD 37.4 billion in 2024 to USD 68.7 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 6.3%. Incretin-based drugs are medications that are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. These medications help the body to control the blood sugar level by boosting natural gut hormones called increment. These hormones signals pancreas to release insulin after eating, which help to lower the blood sugar levels in the body.
 

The increasing cases of diabetes, driven by factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and aging populations, are significantly escalating the market growth. For instance, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, nearly 830 million individuals suffered from diabetes globally, where majority of cases were from low and middle-income countries. Additionally, in 2021 diabetes led to 1.6 million deaths with 47% occurring before the age of 70 years.
 

Further, in 2022, one in eight people suffered from obesity globally. Moreover, 2.5 billion adults aged 18 and above suffered from overweight, including 890 million cases diagnosed with obesity. Thus, this statistic highlights the growing need for effective solutions such as incretin-based drugs, which help individuals to control their glucose level in body, maintain their weight, improve their health, and tackle the global diabetes and its related health problem.
 

Additionally, the shift towards non-insulin therapies in managing diabetes, is driven by the growing adoption of incretin-based drugs, specifically GLP-1 receptor agonists, which is estimated to reach USD 55.7 billion by 2032, (GLP-1 Ras) and dual GLP-1, such as Semaglutide and Tirzepaide. These drugs provide better blood sugar control, significant weight loss, and also helps in reducing risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. For instance, clinical studies have also shown significant improvement in weight loss up to 15% to 20% in patients using Semaglutide and Trizepatide drugs. Thus, advancements in drug delivery technologies, and weight management benefits are fueling the development of more effective and targeted incretin-based drugs.
 

Incretin-based Drugs Market Trends

• The market for incretin-based drugs is evolving with the advancement of drug delivery technology, allowing for the better drugs production. Innovative drug methods, such as oral formulations and long-acting injectables, have substantially improved patient adherence and therapeutic outcomes.
   
• The introduction of once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists offers patients with significant convenience and efficacy in managing and controlling their condition. For instance, in December 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of Victoza (liraglutide injection) at 18 milligrams/3 milliliters. This GLP-1 receptor agonist was indicated for improving glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, used alongside diet and exercise.
   
• In addition, researchers are developing new paths to deliver incretin-based drugs that make the treatment easier and pain free. Advancement in technologies such as microneedle patches and implantable drugs depots can slowly release medication over time, minimizing the need for frequent injections and also helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels in the body.
   
• For instance, MIT researchers had developed a new ingestible capsule that can be used to deliver drugs directly to the bloodstream including GLP-1 drugs, thus these offers a potential oral alternative to injections and making diabetes and obesity treatment easier and more accessible for patients.
   
• Further, combination therapies are improving diabetes and weight loss treatments by aiming multiple pathways at once. For example, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist is more effective at lowering blood sugar levels and managing weight loss than drugs that only target GLP-1. Thus, this contributes to availability of better treatment option for managing diabetes and obesity, providing patient with better outcomes.
   

Incretin-based Drugs Market Analysis

Based on drug type, the incretin-based drugs market is segmented into GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors. The global incretin-based drugs market accounted for USD 35.5 billion in 2023. The GLP-1 receptor agonists segment is forecasted to reach USD 44.9 billion by 2034 from USD 24.3 billion in 2024.
 

• The increasing cases of type 2 diabetes is driving the demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists for controlling blood sugar level in body. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of individuals with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This statistic highlights the rising need for effective treatment solutions such as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
   
• Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists help to lower the blood sugar levels in body by increasing insulin secretions and minimizing glucagon release, preventing spikes after meals. For instance, the study published by the National Institute of Health reported that Semaglutide (Ozempic) minimizes HbA1c levels by up 1.8% in type 2 diabetes patients, substantially improving glucose control in the body.
   
• Further, GLP-1 receptor agonists actively support in weight loss by minimizing hunger and reducing gastric emptying, which helps patients to eat less and stay satisfied for longer time.
   
• Moreover, the development of longer-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists, specifically once-weekly injections, improves patient compliance and convenience, contributing to market expansion.

Based on route of administration, the incretin-based drugs market is bifurcated into oral and injectable. The oral segment accounted for a revenue share of 76.8% and with revenue of USD 28.7 billion in 2024.
 

• Oral incretin-based drugs provide a more accessible alternative to injections, which helps in higher patient compliance. For instance, a study published in National Institute of Health states that, 81.9% patients of diabetes preferred oral treatment over injectables.
   
• Additionally, ongoing research and development in oral incretin formulations has improved the effectiveness, safety profiles, and patient adherence. For instance, in June 2023, Eli Lilly and Company announced positive phase 2 trial results for orforglipron, its first nonpeptide oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) receptor agonist, which was studied for chronic weight management in individuals with obesity and overweight.
   
• Oral based medications are easier to distribute, store and administer, which makes them more accessible in various healthcare settings. Thus, they do not require special training for self-administration, which minimizes the burden on healthcare providers.
   
• Further, patients prefer oral medications over injections due to ease of use and convenience, supporting the market growth of oral incretin-based drugs for diabetes management.
   

Based on indication, the incretin-based drugs market is segmented into type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and weight management, and other metabolic disorders. The type 2 diabetes mellitus segment dominated the market with the largest revenue of USD 26.6 billion in 2024.
 

• The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes globally, driven by obesity, poor dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles, creates a sustained demand for effective treatment options, including incretin-based drugs. For instance, according to IDF Diabetes Atlas, by 2030, it is projected that 643 million people worldwide will have diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to 783 million by 2045.
   
• Additionally, in 2020 462 million individuals suffered from type 2 diabetes globally, corresponding to 6.28% of the world’s population. This significant increase in diabetes prevalence indicates a growing need for advanced therapeutic solutions such as incretin-based medications.
   
• Moreover, these drugs accelerate insulin release when blood sugar levels are high, which helps to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. This creates a better and safer option, specifically for aging populations or individuals at risk of severe low blood sugar conditions.
   

Based on distribution channel, the incretin-based drugs market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and e-commerce. The hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market with the largest revenue of USD 19.2 billion in 2024.
 

• The dominance of this segment is largely attributed to specialized care provided in hospital settings. Hospital pharmacies ensure secure access to incretin-based drugs, particularly for newly diagnosed patients or those with complex cases requiring close medical supervision.
   
• Hospital pharmacies also educate patients about the incretin-based medications, their side effects and proper usage. They also provide personalized counselling, helping patients to know the difference between various formulations such as oral and injectable incretin drugs for managing diabetes and weight loss.
   
• Furthermore, these pharmacies also provide services such as patient support services, including medication management programs, closer monitoring of treatment responses, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. This increases patient adherence towards prescribed therapies, enhancing treatment efficiency, which contributes to the market growth.

The North America incretin-based drugs market accounted for USD 17.1 billion revenues in 2024 forecasted to reach USD 31.5 billion by 2034. The U.S. dominated the North America continuous glucose monitoring market with the largest revenue of USD 15.5 billion in 2024.
 

• The rising incidence of chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity are on rise in the U.S., which is accelerating the demand for the incretin-based drugs.
   
• For instance, in 2021, the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 38.4 million individuals in U.S. suffered from diabetes, out of which 90-95% individuals suffered from type 2 diabetes, resulting in a total of about 11.6% of the global population.
   
• Moreover, the rise in diabetes is also influenced by obesity, sedentary lifestyle and aging populations, further contributing to the diabetes cases, which underscores the need for effective treatment option such as managing glucose level and weight loss medication.
   
• Additionally, there is strong support for the approval and commercialization of innovative treatment solutions such as incretin-based drugs, which strengthens the market growth.
   

Europe: U.K. incretin-based drugs market anticipated to show significant growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The growth of incretin-based drugs market in UK is anticipated to be bolstered by the UK governments commitment towards managing diabetes treatments via initiatives such as public health campaigns, regulatory measures aiming towards early diabetes detection, and guidelines that promotes the healthier lifestyle.
   
• The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the UK is linked to factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles, which is increasing the demand for effective treatment options, including incretin-based medications. For instance, according to the health survey conducted by government of England, in 2021, 25.9% of individuals were obese and 37.9% were overweight.
   
• To tackle this issue, the government of UK launched a USD 41.9 million pilot program to increase the accessibility of weight loss treatment for patients outside the hospital.
   

Asia Pacific: Japan incretin-based drugs market is poised for substantial growth between 2025 and 2034.
 

• The rising incidence of diabetes is accelerating market growth. For instance, the report from Internation Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that in 2021, 1.1 million individuals were diabetic, which is 11.8% of the total population.
   
• Thus, this demographic shift has created awareness among the healthcare providers and policymakers to develop efficient and effective strategies to tackle diabetes and its related health conditions.
   
• Further, Japan also has several leading pharmaceutical companies involved in advanced drug developments such as incretin-based medications, which supports the market growth.
   

Middle East and Africa: Noteworthy growth in Saudi Arabia incretin-based drugs market from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Saudi Arabia is also experiencing a shift in population demographics. For instance, the number of people aged 60+ is expected to increase five times from 2 million (5.9% of the total population) in 2020, reaching 10.5 million by 2050.
   
• Such high trends in the aging population are expected to increase the demand for incretin-based solutions in coming years.
   
• Further, Saudi Arabia’s advance healthcare infrastructure and rising investment in advanced healthcare technologies create opening for the development and adoption of advanced incretin-based medicine tailored to the country’s patient specific needs.
   

Incretin-based Drugs Market Share

The top players of the incretin-based drugs industry account for approximately 45% of the market share which includes companies such as AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, and Pfizer, among others. With every firm introducing new drugs and using advanced technologies, modernization is extremely important.
 

Moreover, strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and government agencies play a primary role in advancing the development of drugs and getting the necessary permits. The development of public awareness about chronic conditions and its health impact through the social media platform, will encourage more individuals to seek the treatment, enabling market players to strengthen their position in this growing sector.
 

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the incretin-based drugs market include:

• AstraZeneca
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Eli Lilly and Company
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Lupin Limited
• Merck
• Novo Nordisk
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
• Viatris
   
• Pfizer is continuously investing in research and development, fostering innovation and growth. The company is developing Danuglipron, an oral obesity drug which is in phase 2 clinical trial, offering a convenient alternative option for the injectable treatment.
   
• Eli Lily is leading in the development of multi-receptor agonist, which target GLP -1 ang GLP pathways such as Tirezpatide, which benefits in weight loss, thereby strengthening the company’s product portfolio.
   
• Novo Nordisk A/S has strong geographical presence which enables it to boost its market reach. Novo Nordisk A/S operates in more than 170 countries thus comprising of a strong distribution network.
   

Incretin-based Drugs Industry News:

• In March 2024, Eli Lily and Company partnered with Amazon’s pharmacy unit to offer home delivery services for medications related to diabetes, migraine, and obesity, which includes GLP-1 weight loss drug Zepbound. This partnership boosted Eli Lily and Company’s reach and convenience for patients, thus improving the access to its medications and supporting better health outcomes.
   
• In November 2023, AstraZeneca and Eccogene entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for ECC5004, an investigational oral once-daily glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) intended for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic conditions. This partnership enhanced AstraZeneca's diabetes and obesity product portfolio, thus positioning the company for future growth in these therapeutic areas.
   

The incretin-based drugs market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Drug Type

• GLP-1 receptor agonists
• DPP-4 inhibitors

Market, By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Injectable

Market, By Indication

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Obesity and weight management
• Other metabolic disorders

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Hospital pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• E-commerce

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE