PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1887184
PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1887184
The global metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) therapeutics market is undergoing significant expansion as the prevalence of advanced prostate cancer rises and pharmaceutical companies accelerate innovation in targeted and hormonal therapies. According to the 2024 assessment, the market size reached USD 16.46 billion in 2024, underscoring the growing patient pool requiring advanced treatments after resistance to standard hormone therapy. The market is projected to increase sharply to USD 21.04 billion in 2025 and further surge to USD 87.19 billion by 2032, exhibiting a robust CAGR of 22.5% during 2025-2032.
With 53.77% share in 2024, North America remained the dominant regional market, supported by advanced oncology care systems, strong reimbursement policies, and rapid introduction of next-generation therapies.
Rising Global Burden of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
mCRPC represents the most advanced and life-threatening form of prostate cancer, characterized by metastasis to organs such as the bones, liver, and lymph nodes, along with resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The escalating prevalence of prostate cancer continues to push demand for new therapeutic options. As per the World Cancer Research Fund, 1,467,854 new cancer cases were recorded in 2022, highlighting the increasing need for effective oncological treatments worldwide.
The market's upward trajectory is further fueled by the presence of leading pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Astellas Pharma, AbbVie, and AstraZeneca, all of which maintain strong pipelines, undertake collaborations, and secure regulatory approvals for innovative mCRPC therapies.
Market Drivers: Innovation and Expanding Treatment Pipelines
One of the principal forces driving market growth is the surge in drug development activities, especially next-generation androgen receptor inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, GnRH agonists, and radiotherapeutics. Companies are increasingly investing in combination therapies aimed at improving survival outcomes in patients who develop ADT resistance.
A notable example is the July partnership between Merck & Co., Inc. and Orion Corporation, focused on developing opevesostat (MK-5684/ODM-208), an investigational CYP11A1 inhibitor for mCRPC. Such advancements highlight the increasing emphasis on targeted, personalized oncology.
Market Restraints: Treatment Resistance and Adverse Effects
Despite promising developments, mCRPC therapeutics face critical challenges. Hormonal therapy resistance remains a major limiting factor in clinical adoption. Cancer cells adapt over time, mutating androgen receptors and reducing treatment effectiveness. Research from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2023 highlighted that tumors become less "luminal" over time, reducing responsiveness to hormone therapy and complicating treatment planning.
Additionally, mCRPC drugs-including ZYTIGA, enzalutamide, and abiraterone-are associated with side effects such as hypertension, muscle discomfort, edema, and arrhythmia, which may impede long-term adherence.
Opportunities: Radiotheranostics and Precision Medicine
The emergence of radiotheranostics is creating new opportunities in the mCRPC landscape. These approaches combine diagnostic imaging with targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy, enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity. In 2023, Clarity Pharmaceuticals advanced its Phase I/IIa SECuRE trial evaluating 64Cu/67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA, reinforcing the shift toward personalized, biomarker-driven mCRPC treatment strategies.
Segmental Insights
Androgen receptor inhibitors dominated the market in 2024 due to their pivotal role in blocking testosterone-driven cancer growth.
On the route-of-administration front, oral drugs held the largest share, driven by patient convenience and the launch of new oral formulations such as relugolix.
Hormonal therapy remained the most widely used treatment class, supported by robust adoption of ADT in early and advanced prostate cancer stages.
Competitive Landscape
Key players include Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Tolmar Inc., Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC, and others. Major industry developments include FDA approvals for new PARP inhibitor combinations and radioligand therapies such as Pluvicto.
Segmentation By Drug Class
By Route of Administration
By Therapy
By Distribution Channel
By Geography
Figure 57: Global Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Therapeutics Market Share (%), By Company, 2024