Drug Repurposing Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Therapeutic Area, Drug Type, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Drug Repurposing Market is accounted for $0.46 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $1.40 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period. Drug repurposing involves discovering additional medical applications for drugs that are already approved or under development. It leverages existing knowledge about a drug's safety and mechanism of action to find new disease targets. This strategy lowers research costs, shortens development timelines, and minimizes safety uncertainties. As a result, repurposing plays a crucial role in quickly delivering effective treatments, especially in challenging therapeutic fields such as cancer, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rising chronic disease burden

Drug repurposing is gaining traction as it offers faster and more cost-effective solutions compared to traditional drug development. With aging populations and improved diagnostic capabilities, the demand for novel treatment pathways is expanding across both developed and emerging economies. Repurposed drugs are increasingly being integrated into personalized medicine strategies, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing treatment timelines. Advances in computational biology and AI-driven screening are accelerating the identification of new uses for existing compounds. This rising chronic disease burden is therefore a major catalyst for the expansion of the drug repurposing market.

Restraint:

Limited financial incentives

Patent protection is often weaker for repurposed drugs, reducing the potential for long-term profitability. Regulatory frameworks can be complex, with unclear pathways for approval of drugs in new indications. Smaller firms struggle to allocate resources toward repurposing projects without strong reimbursement or incentive structures. The lack of robust financial backing slows innovation and discourages investment in niche therapeutic areas. Consequently, limited financial incentives remain a significant restraint on market growth.

Opportunity:

Orphan and rare disease treatment

Drug repurposing presents a unique opportunity in the treatment of orphan and rare diseases. These conditions often lack effective therapies due to limited commercial appeal for traditional drug development. Repurposed drugs can bypass lengthy discovery phases, offering faster access to treatments for underserved patient populations. Regulatory agencies are increasingly supportive, providing incentives such as orphan drug designations and expedited approval pathways. Advances in genomics and biomarker identification are further enabling targeted repurposing strategies for rare conditions. This growing focus on orphan and rare diseases is opening new avenues for market expansion.

Threat:

Safety and efficacy concerns in a new context

Clinical outcomes may vary significantly depending on patient demographics, dosage, and disease biology. Regulatory authorities demand extensive testing to ensure that repurposed drugs meet rigorous safety standards. Unexpected side effects or reduced effectiveness can undermine confidence in repurposed therapies. These risks can delay commercialization and increase development costs for pharmaceutical firms. As a result, safety and efficacy concerns represent a persistent threat to the drug repurposing market.

Covid-19 Impact:

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated interest in drug repurposing as researchers sought immediate solutions for treatment. Several existing drugs were evaluated for antiviral properties, highlighting the potential of repurposing in emergency contexts. Global collaboration between governments, academia, and industry intensified, leading to rapid clinical trials and emergency authorizations. However, supply chain disruptions and inconsistent trial results created challenges for sustained adoption. The pandemic also emphasized the importance of resilient regulatory frameworks and adaptive R&D strategies.

The oncology segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The oncology segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. Cancer's complex biology and high unmet medical need make it a prime area for repurposed therapies. Existing drugs are being evaluated for new oncological applications, reducing development timelines and costs. Hospitals and research institutes are increasingly adopting repurposed oncology drugs to expand treatment options. Advances in precision medicine and biomarker-driven approaches are further supporting this trend. As cancer incidence continues to rise globally, oncology remains the largest segment in drug repurposing.

The academic & research institutes segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the academic & research institutes segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate, due to these institutions play a critical role in early-stage discovery and validation of repurposed drugs. Collaborative projects with pharmaceutical companies and government agencies are expanding research capacity. Advances in computational modeling and AI are being leveraged by universities to accelerate repurposing pipelines. Increased funding for translational research is further boosting growth in this segment.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical R&D. Government initiatives are promoting local drug development and encouraging repurposing strategies to reduce costs. Rising chronic disease prevalence and large patient populations are driving demand for affordable therapies. Academic collaborations and clinical trial networks are expanding across the region, supporting rapid adoption.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the North America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR. Strong R&D investments and advanced healthcare infrastructure provide a fertile environment for innovation. The U.S. and Canada are leading in AI-driven drug discovery and precision medicine applications. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA are streamlining pathways for repurposed drugs, encouraging faster commercialization. Robust reimbursement systems and high adoption of novel therapies further support market growth.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Drug Repurposing Market include Recursion, Pfizer, Healx, NuMedii, Benevolent, BioXcel Th, Evotec SE, Rejuvenate, Exscientia, Melior Dis, Insilico Me, Pharnext, Lantern Ph, Standigm, and Biovista.

Key Developments:

In November 2025, Pfizer Inc. announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Metsera, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. This strategic milestone represents more than a transaction it's a deliberate investment in the future of medicine.

In October 2024, Recursion and Google Cloud announced an expanded collaboration leveraging Google Cloud's technologies to support Recursion's drug discovery platform. This strategic partnership includes exploring generative AI capabilities, including Gemini models, to support the RecursionOS, drive improved search and access with BigQuery, and help scale compute resources.

Therapeutic Areas Covered:

• Oncology
• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases
• Rare Diseases
• Metabolic Disorders
• Other Therapeutic Areas

Drug Types Covered:

• Small Molecules
• Biologics

Applications Covered:

• New Indications Discovery
• Line Extension
• Reformulation & Combination Therapy
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• Academic & Research Institutes
• Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Healthcare Providers
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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