October 2025
The asthma and COPD medicines market is on an upward trajectory, poised to generate substantial revenue growth, potentially climbing into the hundreds of millions over the forecast years from 2025 to 2034. This surge is attributed to evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements reshaping the industry.
The asthma and COPD medicines market is growing because of the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases, air pollution, and an aging population. Significant treatments include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and combination therapies delivered via inhalers and nebulizers. North America is dominated by major pharmaceutical companies that are investing in innovative drug formulations and digital inhaler technologies, Asia Pacific fastest-growing as increasing healthcare access.
The asthma and COPD medicines market encompasses pharmacological therapies aimed at managing chronic respiratory conditions by reducing airway inflammation, preventing exacerbations, and improving lung function. Key drug classes include inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), combination therapies, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), monoclonal antibodies, and novel biologics.
Market growth is driven by increasing prevalence of asthma and COPD worldwide, rising adoption of combination inhalers, expansion of personalized therapies, and government initiatives promoting chronic respiratory disease management. Technological advancements in inhalation devices, digital monitoring, and formulation improvements, combined with ongoing R&D for next-generation biologics and small molecules, further support the adoption of these medicines across hospitals, specialty clinics, and retail pharmacies globally.
Company | Investment |
Lupin | In October 2025, Lupin invested $250 million, including research & development, infrastructure, and capital expenditures over five years. The new site will have the capacity to accommodate the production of more than 25 critical respiratory medicines, including lifesaving albuterol inhalers. |
Merck | In October 2025, Merck's $10 billion acquisition of Verona Pharma strengthens its respiratory therapy offerings. |
GSK's | In January 2024, GSK is paying $1.4 billion to acquire Aiolos Bio Inc., aiming to expand its severe asthma treatment capabilities. |
Integration of AI in asthma and COPD medicines drives the growth of the market, as AI-based technology, specifically ML, improves asthma management by analyzing data from wearables and patient records to envisage exacerbations, stratify challenges, and inform targeted treatment. Major research demonstrates AI-driven technology can recommend tailored interventions, monitor adherence by digital applications, and drive real-time treatment adjustments. AI-driven technology offered models with a precision of 68% to distinguish among asthma, COPD, and their overlap (ACO), and predict the overall accuracy of the disease. As these technologies continue to progress, they promise to be a keystone of future respiratory disease treatment, improving healthcare results and converting the inclusive healthcare experience of patients with asthma and COPD.
In drug class, the combination therapies segment led the asthma and COPD medicines market with approximately 40% share, as combination therapies in asthma are convenient to use, confirm that the ICS is not discontinued when a nebulizer is used, and are affordable. Combination therapy devices also support individualized strategies to asthma treatment and lower the complexity of treatment. It serves not only as maintenance but also as a reliever therapy with the same effectiveness as the short-acting beta agonists (SABA).
On the other hand, the monoclonal antibodies/biologics segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2034, as people with moderate-to-serious asthma are treated using a different type of monoclonal antibodies that target key inflammatory cytokines elaborate in disease pathogenesis. Management with anti-IgE better asthma control and lowers the serious exacerbations in patients with severe asthma and raised serum IgE levels. mAbs are the medications that target exact proteins to help lower inflammation in patients with severe asthma.
By mechanism of action, the anti-inflammatory segment led the asthma and COPD medicines market in 2024 with approximately 45% share, as anti-inflammatory medications are the significant treatment choice for patients with asthma; they help stop the process that causes asthma attacks. Anti-inflammatory drugs include corticosteroids that are inhaled directly into the lungs or that are systemic. Mast cell stabilizers and leukotriene transformers are medicines that work inversely and help enhance the anti-inflammatory action of corticosteroids.
On the other hand, the targeted biologic therapy segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2034, as this type of therapy reduces asthma exacerbations, enhances lung function, lowers oral corticosteroid use, and improves quality of life in appropriate COPD patients. It targets particular cells in the body’s immune system, which cause inflammation in the lungs.
By dosage form, the inhalers (MDI / DPI) segment led the asthma and COPD medicines market in 2024 with approximately 50% share, as inhalers are an efficient way of carrying drugs to small airways. This lowers systemic or entire-body effects. A minor dose is needed using an inhaler rather than an oral steroid. Inhalers are both safe and affordable. Types include dry powder, metered-dose, and soft mist inhalers. They are generally used to treat asthma and COPD.
On the other hand, the injectable/infusion segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2034, as applications of biologic therapy delivered through IV infusion support patients in lessening airway inflammation, preventing attacks of asthma, and enhancing lung function; often, traditional therapies are no longer sufficient. Infusion therapy for asthma management shows a targeted, biologic treatment choice that tackles the original causes of inflammation, not just the symptoms. Use of intravenous therapy with many nutrients, containing magnesium, for acute and chronic asthma provides considerable advantages.
By patient type, the adult segment led the asthma and COPD medicines market in 2024 with approximately 60% share, as treating asthma in adults provides significant advantages for both short-term symptom relief and chronic asthma and COPD, mainly by controlling the chronic airway inflammation that is the main cause of the disease.
On the other hand, the pediatric/adolescent segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2034, as managing asthma and COPD in pediatric and adolescent patients in early stages provides a better quality of life, enabling normal physical activity and school attendance, and lowering the challenges of serious asthma attacks and hospitalizations.
North America is dominant in the asthma and COPD medicines market in 2024, with approximately 45% share, due to the increase in research and development efforts aimed at creating new treatment choices. Growing prevalence of respiratory diseases and increasing demand for advanced therapies. North America possesses a well-organized healthcare system and significant insurance coverage, which enables earlier diagnosis and greater patient adoption of advanced treatments.
In the U.S., increasing rates of tobacco smoking, as well as rising air pollution in urban areas, contribute to the high incidence of respiratory diseases in this region. In 2023, in the US, 19.2 million adults were diagnosed with asthma, and 12.8 million adults were diagnosed with COPD, which increases the demand for asthma and COPD medicine.
In Canada, the strong presence of a robust, government-driven medical care system ensures extensive access to respiratory treatments. While the system moderates pricing, it simplifies public access to both novel therapies and generic substitutes.
Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the asthma and COPD medicines market in the forecast period, due to rising disposable incomes and economic growth in the region, which has led to higher medical care investment. This includes spending on medications and novel treatments for long-term healthcare conditions. Major countries, such as China and India, are creating policies to inspire domestic manufacturing of progressive healthcare devices and therapies, which drives the growth of the market.
The research and development (R&D) technology for asthma and COPD medicines mainly contains preclinical modeling, advanced clinical trial design, and sophisticated drug delivery methods.
Key Players: AstraZeneca and GSK
Clinical trials of asthma and COPD medicines involve pre-clinical and early-phase studies, exploratory trials, confirmatory trials, regulatory submission, and approval
Key Players: Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis
Asthma and COPD medicines are mainly focused on comprehensive support, education, and disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Key Players: Merck KGaA and Roche
By Drug Class
By Mechanism of Action
By Dosage Form
By Patient Type
By Region
October 2025
October 2025
October 2025
October 2025