Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are both chronic respiratory conditions that cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult. Asthma and COPD drugs are medications designed to relax the airways, reduce inflammation, and prevent flare-ups (exacerbations) that can worsen breathing.
These drugs are typically delivered through inhalers, nebulizers, or oral formulations, allowing direct action in the lungs.
Their main goals are:
To improve airflow and oxygen exchange
To control chronic inflammation
To prevent acute attacks or exacerbations
To enhance the quality of life for patients
While asthma and COPD drugs may overlap in type (such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids), their treatment approaches differ because of differences in disease mechanisms and progression.
The global asthma and COPD drugs market size was calculated at USD 41.04 billion in 2024, to reach USD 43.1 billion in 2025 is expected to be worth USD 66.92 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 5.01% from 2024 to 2034. The rising incidences of respiratory disorders, growing research and development, and increasing investments drive the market.
Nature of the Disease:
Main Causes:
Age of Onset:
Symptoms:
Progression:
Inflammation Type:
Response to Treatment:
Common Treatments (2025):
Reversibility:
Lifestyle Management:
Nature of the Disease:
Main Causes:
Age of Onset:
Symptoms:
Progression:
Inflammation Type:
Response to Treatment:
Common Treatments (2025):
Reversibility:
Lifestyle Management:
Treatment involves two main categories:
Controller (Maintenance) Medications – used daily to control symptoms and prevent attacks.
Reliever (Rescue) Medications – used during sudden flare-ups or shortness of breath.
Below is a breakdown of major drug classes used in asthma and COPD therapy (2024–2025):
These relax the muscles around the airways, widening them for easier airflow.
Types:
Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonists (SABAs) – quick relief (“rescue inhalers”)
Examples: Albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir), Levalbuterol
Used for: Both asthma and COPD for immediate symptom relief
Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonists (LABAs) – long-term control (12–24 hours)
Examples: Salmeterol, Formoterol, Indacaterol, Olodaterol
Used for: Maintenance therapy, often in combination with corticosteroids or antimuscarinics
Antimuscarinics (Anticholinergics):
Short-acting (SAMA): Ipratropium bromide
Long-acting (LAMA): Tiotropium (Spiriva), Umeclidinium, Glycopyrronium
Used more in: COPD, but also helpful in severe asthma
These reduce airway inflammation and swelling.
Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS):
Examples: Budesonide, Fluticasone, Beclomethasone, Mometasone
Used mainly for: Asthma control; in COPD, used in combination with LABAs for patients with frequent exacerbations
Oral/Systemic Corticosteroids:
Examples: Prednisone, Methylprednisolone
Used for: Short-term management of severe asthma or COPD flare-ups
These combine two or more drug classes for better control.
Examples:
ICS + LABA: Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair), Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort), Mometasone/Formoterol (Dulera)
LABA + LAMA: Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta), Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat)
Triple Therapy (ICS + LABA + LAMA):
Examples: Fluticasone/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipta), Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol (Breztri Aerosphere)
Used mainly for: Severe COPD and uncontrolled asthma
Triple therapy is one of the fastest-growing treatment trends for COPD as of 2024–2025, supported by studies showing improved lung function and reduced exacerbations.
Block leukotrienes — chemicals that cause inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
Examples: Montelukast (Singulair), Zafirlukast
Used for: Mild-to-moderate persistent asthma, especially allergy-triggered cases
Target specific molecules driving inflammation — used when conventional treatments fail.
Approved biologics (as of 2025):
Anti-IgE: Omalizumab (Xolair) – for allergic asthma
Anti-IL5: Mepolizumab (Nucala), Reslizumab (Cinqair), Benralizumab (Fasenra) – for eosinophilic asthma
Anti-IL4/IL13: Dupilumab (Dupixent) – for type 2 inflammation in asthma and now explored for COPD
Anti-TSLP: Tezepelumab (Tezspire) – effective across asthma phenotypes
Recent advancement (2025):
Dupilumab and Tezepelumab are showing promise in treating a subset of COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation, representing a new precision-medicine approach in COPD therapy.
| Company | Revenue 2015 | Latest Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc. | US $48.9 billion (2015) | US $63.6 billion |
| Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | US $19.65 billion | US $16.54 billion |
| Merck & Co., Inc. | US $39.5 billion | US $64.17 billion (2024) |
| Novartis AG | Approximately US $50–52 billion | US $51.72 billion (2024) |
| Cipla Inc. | INR 11,345 crore (US $1.5 billion) in FY 2014-15 | US $3.3 billion (FY 2024-25) (approx) |
Pfizer is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City, U.S., founded in 1849. It develops and manufactures vaccines, oncology drugs, and therapies for infectious and rare diseases. The company operates in over 120 countries and is known for its strong R&D capabilities.
Pfizer reported approximately $63.6 billion in revenue for 2024, reflecting a continued decline in COVID-related sales but steady growth in non-COVID portfolios.
In 2025, Pfizer announced plans to achieve $4.5 billion in annual cost savings by optimizing operations and refocusing its pipeline on oncology and immunology. It is also progressing late-stage trials for its RSV and cancer drug candidates.
Teva is an Israeli-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel, founded in 1901. It is the world’s largest generic drug manufacturer and also develops branded medicines in neurology and respiratory therapy.
Teva posted $16.5 billion in revenue for 2024, driven by growth in its innovative products such as Austedo and Ajovy, along with a recovery in its generics segment.
In 2025, Teva reported stronger operating margins and a second consecutive year of growth. The company announced new partnerships to expand its biosimilar portfolio and reduce long-term debt.
Merck & Co. (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada) is headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, founded in 1891. The company focuses on oncology, vaccines, and infectious disease therapeutics.
Merck recorded $64.2 billion in total revenue for 2024, largely driven by its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and vaccine Gardasil.
In 2025, Merck strengthened its respiratory portfolio through acquisitions and announced plans to expand vaccine manufacturing to meet global demand.
Grifols is a Spanish multinational healthcare company headquartered in Barcelona, founded in 1909. It specializes in plasma-derived medicines, diagnostics, and hospital pharmacy systems.
The company reported €6.5 billion (≈$7 billion) in 2024 revenue, supported by increasing plasma collection and U.S. market recovery.
In 2025, Grifols continued deleveraging efforts by selling non-core assets and reaffirmed a focus on plasma innovation, particularly in immunoglobulin therapies.
Novartis is a Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, formed in 1996. It focuses on innovative medicines across oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and ophthalmology.
Novartis posted $51.7 billion in revenue for 2024, reflecting strong performance from key drugs like Entresto, Kisqali, and Cosentyx.
In 2025, Novartis announced the acquisition of Avidity Biosciences to expand its rare-disease and RNA-based therapeutic pipeline.
Cipla is an Indian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, founded in 1935. It manufactures generic drugs, inhalers, APIs, and biosimilars with operations in over 80 countries.
Cipla reported ₹27,547 crore (around $3.3 billion) in revenue for FY2024–25, showing strong growth across domestic and export markets.
In 2025, Cipla reported over 30% growth in net profit for Q4 FY25 and launched new respiratory and oncology drugs in India and South Africa.
Abbott is a U.S.-based healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, founded in 1888. It specializes in diagnostics, nutrition, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.
Abbott reported $40.1 billion in revenue for 2024, with strong growth in medical devices and diagnostics.
In 2025, Abbott launched new continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and expanded its cardiovascular device portfolio globally.
Astellas Pharma is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2005 through the merger of Yamanouchi and Fujisawa. It focuses on oncology, urology, and regenerative medicine.
Astellas reported ¥1.55 trillion (around $10.2 billion) in 2024 revenue, with oncology as its fastest-growing segment.
In 2025, Astellas advanced its gene therapy programs and announced a collaboration to develop next-generation cell therapies for solid tumors.
Roche is a Swiss multinational healthcare leader headquartered in Basel, founded in 1896. The company focuses on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, particularly oncology and personalized healthcare.
Roche recorded $66.2 billion in revenue for 2024, achieving 7% growth at constant exchange rates.
In 2025, Roche launched new drugs for neurology and oncology and expanded diagnostic partnerships to support AI-based testing.
Glenmark is an Indian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, founded in 1977. It develops generic, specialty, and branded drugs across respiratory, dermatology, and oncology segments.
Glenmark posted ₹13,700 crore (around $1.6 billion) in FY2024–25 revenue.
In 2025, Glenmark completed the sale of its life sciences division to reduce debt and announced new product launches in respiratory and dermatology categories.
Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, commented that Dupixent is set to launch for the treatment of COPD. He said that it might take some time to drive awareness and diagnosis of COPD with type 2 inflammation, hence, the infection of sales growth will likely come in 2025. He added that COPD will become the next major growth pillar for Dupixent.
Partner with our experts to explore the Asthma and COPD Market at sales@towardshealthcare.com
