The global artemisinin market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period owing to its increasing application scope in the pharmaceutical industry. Demand for artemisinin has grown considerably over the past decade following the recognition of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) by WHO as a first-line treatment for malaria. An increase in R&D activities and growing medical infrastructure particularly in emerging economies including China and India has triggered the demand for artemisinin and its derivatives. Rising demand from malaria-endemic countries such as Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and other South-East Asian countries including India is expected to drive the market for artemisinin and its derivatives over the next six years. However, the market for artemisinin is still in nascent stages owing to a limited number of global manufacturers. In addition, lack of funding and programmatic uncertainties coupled with the demand-supply gap is further expected to hamper market growth over the forecast period
Artemisinin herb is native to China and is found to be effective against malaria parasites. Ongoing research & development has also found artemisinin and its derivatives to be effective in the treatment of cancer. The market for artemisinin is segmented on the basis of its applications in the treatment of malaria, cancer, and helminth parasites. The largest application in 2013 was artemisinin-based combination therapy in the treatment of malaria. Artemisinin market can also be segmented on the basis of its production mechanism as biosynthesis, chemical synthesis, and synthesis in engineered organisms. Intensive research activities are underway to develop new and economical methods of artemisinin production.
Asia Pacific and Africa held the largest artemisinin market share and its derivatives owing to the large production base of artemisinin herbs coupled with the growing demand for artemisinin-based therapy in malaria-endemic countries. North America held the second-largest market followed by Europe on account of the well-developed medical industry coupled with a large number of pharmaceutical units.
Key companies that manufacture artemisinin and its derivatives include Yeshua-Bio-Tech, Guilin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Sanofi Aventis, Shanghai Desano Chemical Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Kunming Pharmaceutical Corporation, Calyx Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals, and Mylan Laboratories Limited.