China’s Age-related Macular Degeneration drugs Market, estimated at US$ XX billion in 2024 and 2025, is projected to grow steadily at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2030, ultimately reaching US$ XX billion by 2030.
The global age-related macular degeneration (AMD) drugs market was valued at $9.55 billion in 2023, reached $10.46 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow at a strong 10.7% CAGR, reaching $17.37 billion by 2029.
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Drivers
The China Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) drugs market is primarily driven by the nation’s dramatically increasing elderly population. China has over 260 million people aged 60 and older, and AMD prevalence is strongly correlated with age, leading to a massive and growing patient pool requiring treatment for both wet (neovascular) and dry (atrophic) forms of the disease. Furthermore, enhanced economic growth in China is contributing to higher disposable income and increased healthcare expenditure, making advanced and often costly anti-VEGF agents like Eylea and Lucentis more accessible and widely adopted. Government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality and expanding coverage for chronic diseases, including eye health programs, are bolstering the market. Technological advancements in diagnostic tools that allow for earlier and more accurate detection of AMD are also driving demand for subsequent drug treatments. The market is currently dominated by anti-VEGF agents, which remain the first-line therapy for wet AMD, ensuring sustained demand for these critical biologic drugs. Increased health awareness among the public and ophthalmologists’ efforts to adhere to international treatment standards further propel the demand for effective AMD therapeutics across the country.
Restraints
Despite the strong demand, the China AMD drugs market faces several significant restraints. A major limiting factor is the high cost of existing first-line anti-VEGF therapies, such as ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea), which can create a financial burden for patients, despite some being included in national reimbursement lists. The complex logistics and infrastructure required for administering these drugs, typically through intravitreal injections in specialized clinics or hospitals, can restrict access, particularly in rural or less developed regions of China. Although regulatory reforms are streamlining approvals, the time and complexity associated with obtaining market authorization for novel or foreign-developed drugs can still pose a restraint. Furthermore, there is a recognized need for more effective treatments for the larger population segment suffering from dry AMD, as current therapeutic options are limited, hindering overall market growth. The domestic production of high-quality biosimilars, while offering a cost solution, also creates market uncertainty for innovator drugs and introduces competitive pricing pressures that could dampen overall revenue growth for some key players.
Opportunities
The China AMD drugs market presents vast opportunities, particularly within novel drug development and market expansion into underserved therapeutic areas. The greatest opportunity lies in developing and commercializing effective treatments for dry AMD, an area with limited current options. Companies focusing on complement inhibitors or other emerging mechanisms for geographic atrophy (GA) stand to capture a substantial segment of the market. There is also significant growth potential in long-acting therapies, such as Eylea 8 mg (Eylea HD), which offer extended dosing intervals and can improve patient adherence and reduce the burden on healthcare facilities. Furthermore, regulatory reforms implemented by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) are specifically designed to accelerate the approval process for innovative drugs, creating a more favorable and faster path to market for cutting-edge AMD treatments. The increasing capability of domestic biopharma companies to develop high-quality anti-VEGF biosimilars and novel molecules allows for broader market penetration and enhanced affordability. Finally, expanding clinical trial capacity in China offers both local and international companies the opportunity to efficiently generate robust data needed for local market approvals and global submissions.
Challenges
A primary challenge in the China AMD drugs market is achieving widespread and equitable access to advanced treatments, particularly due to uneven healthcare distribution and reimbursement complexities across the vast country. While Anti-VEGF drugs are effective, the need for repeated, in-office intravitreal injections is logistically challenging for patients and clinics, leading to compliance issues and potential sub-optimal treatment outcomes. Moreover, there is an ongoing challenge in balancing the rapid adoption of innovative foreign drugs with the support and quality assurance for domestic biosimilars and novel molecules that are critical for achieving cost-effectiveness. Another hurdle is related to the sheer scale of the screening and diagnostic effort required to identify the large patient population, especially in early stages of the disease when treatment is most effective. Achieving consensus on standardized treatment protocols and integrating advanced imaging modalities with treatment centers across all tiers of hospitals remains a significant logistical and educational challenge. Overcoming the cost barrier through effective pricing and inclusion in provincial and national reimbursement schemes is essential for maximizing market potential.
Role of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the China AMD drugs market, primarily through improving early diagnosis, enhancing treatment efficacy prediction, and streamlining clinical workflows. AI algorithms, particularly those leveraging deep learning on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography images, can achieve rapid and accurate identification of early-stage AMD, Geographic Atrophy (GA), and Neovascular AMD (nAMD) with high sensitivity. This capability is vital for screening large populations and identifying patients who require prompt intervention. In the realm of treatment, AI can help predict a patient’s response to different anti-VEGF drugs, optimizing personalized dosing and follow-up schedules to maximize visual outcomes while reducing unnecessary injections. AI-powered clinical decision support systems can also assist ophthalmologists, especially those in smaller hospitals, by interpreting complex imaging data and guiding treatment strategies, thereby standardizing care across different regions. Furthermore, AI can accelerate drug discovery by analyzing large datasets of molecular targets and patient profiles, potentially leading to the identification of novel therapeutic agents for dry AMD and other complex retinal diseases, which currently lack effective treatment.
Latest Trends
Several dynamic trends are shaping the China AMD drugs market. One prominent trend is the strong shift toward developing and adopting long-acting anti-VEGF therapies, such as high-dose aflibercept (Eylea 8 mg) and bispecific antibodies, which reduce the required frequency of injections, improving patient compliance and easing the burden on clinical facilities. Another key trend is the accelerating research and development focus on treatments for Geographic Atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry AMD, with domestic and international companies racing to introduce complement-inhibitor therapies to the Chinese market following their success in other regions. Biosimilars are rapidly gaining traction, with NMPA approvals for anti-VEGF biosimilars increasing market competition and driving down costs, thus expanding patient access to effective treatment. The integration of digital health and telemedicine platforms is becoming increasingly important for remote patient monitoring and follow-up care, especially in a country with vast geographical distances. Finally, there is a noted trend towards precision medicine in retinal disorders, utilizing genetic screening and advanced biomarkers to stratify patients and tailor treatments for optimal therapeutic benefit, paving the way for highly personalized AMD management strategies.