Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Drugs (Biguanides, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Dopamine -D2 Receptor Agonist, Sodium-glucose Cotransport -2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, Dipeptidyl Peptidase - 4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors, Sulfonylureas, Meglitinides), By End Users (Hospitals, Homecare, Speciality Centers, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 18.67 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.03%
Fastest Growing Segment	Biguanides
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 28.07 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market is projected to grow from USD 18.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 28.07 Billion by 2031 at a 7.03% CAGR. Oral anti-diabetic drugs are pharmaceutical agents administered orally to manage blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus by enhancing insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity, or reducing glucose absorption. The market is fundamentally driven by the escalating global prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, which is attributed to aging populations and sedentary lifestyles, as well as the strong patient preference for non-invasive therapies over injectables. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2025, approximately 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes globally, underscoring the critical demand for effective therapeutic interventions.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the limited affordability of advanced drug classes in low- and middle-income countries. While these regions experience the highest growth in disease burden, restricted healthcare budgets and inadequate reimbursement structures often hinder the adoption of premium oral therapies. This economic disparity forces a reliance on lower-cost generic alternatives, thereby constraining revenue growth for branded pharmaceutical manufacturers. Furthermore, the rigorous regulatory landscape regarding cardiovascular safety profiles for new medications continues to extend development cycles and elevate capitalization costs for market entrants.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global prevalence of Type 2 diabetes serves as the primary driver propelling the Global Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market. This expanding disease burden is inextricably linked to rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles, creating a continuous demand for effective oral glucose-lowering therapies. As the patient demographic requiring lifelong management widens, the reliance on accessible pharmaceutical interventions intensifies to mitigate long-term health complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation, December 2025, in the 'IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition', it was revealed that 11.1% of the adult population worldwide is currently living with diabetes. This widespread incidence translates into substantial economic activity within the healthcare sector. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2025, global expenditure on diabetes-related healthcare was estimated to be approximately USD 1 trillion, underscoring the massive financial resources directed toward therapeutic management and disease control.

Advancements in novel oral drug classes and formulations represent the second critical driver, fundamentally reshaping patient care by replacing invasive delivery methods with convenient oral options. Innovation in this sector is enabling the successful formulation of complex molecules, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, into tablets, thereby overcoming the historical barriers associated with injectable treatments. This technological shift significantly improves patient adherence and expands the addressable market for advanced therapies beyond traditional injectables. The rapid commercial adoption of these formulations is reflected in recent corporate performance data. According to Novo Nordisk, November 2025, in the 'Q3 2025 Financial Report', sales of Rybelsus, a prominent oral GLP-1 therapy, reached DKK 5,442 million in the third quarter alone, demonstrating the strong market preference for effective, non-invasive treatment modalities.

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Key Market Challenges

The limited affordability of advanced oral anti-diabetic medications in low- and middle-income countries presents a substantial barrier to revenue growth for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Although these regions represent a rapidly expanding patient base, restricted healthcare budgets and insufficient reimbursement frameworks often prevent the wide adoption of premium drug classes. Consequently, healthcare providers and patients frequently prioritize cost-effective generic alternatives over newer branded therapies to manage treatment costs. This economic pressure significantly limits the market penetration of high-value products and constrains the commercial return on investment for developers of novel treatments.

This disparity creates a clear disconnect between regional disease burden and actual market value, hindering the ability of companies to monetize innovation in high-volume territories. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2025, low- and middle-income countries accounted for only 9.3% of global diabetes-related health expenditure despite hosting the majority of the global diabetic population. This lack of purchasing power forces the market to rely heavily on volume rather than value, thereby reducing profit margins for major industry players and dampening the overall financial expansion of the global sector.

Key Market Trends

The expanding utilization of SGLT2 inhibitors is reshaping the market as clinical guidelines increasingly prioritize these agents for cardio-renal benefits rather than solely for glycemic control. Physicians are prescribing these therapies to mitigate heart failure and chronic kidney disease, transitioning the drug class to a fundamental pillar of cardio-metabolic management. This shift significantly amplifies revenue for incumbents securing label expansions for these comorbidities, effectively creating a new growth vertical beyond traditional diabetes care. According to AstraZeneca, November 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Results', expanding demand for heart failure and kidney disease treatments drove Farxiga revenue to grow by 27% in the third quarter, confirming the commercial impact of this broader therapeutic application.

Concurrently, the acceleration of generic market entry following patent expiries for blockbuster dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is structurally altering the sector. The expiration of key protections has triggered an influx of cost-effective alternatives, rapidly eroding the share of established brands while broadening patient access. This pressure forces originators to pivot strategies as value shifts away from mature assets toward newer, protected drug classes. According to Merck & Co., October 2024, in the 'Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results', sales of the branded therapy Januvia declined by 49% to USD 278 million, primarily reflecting the intense impact of generic competition in the United States and international markets.

Segmental Insights

The Biguanides segment is currently the fastest growing category within the global oral anti-diabetic drugs market, primarily driven by the status of metformin as the standard first-line therapy for Type 2 diabetes. Prominent medical guidelines, such as those from the American Diabetes Association, consistently recommend this class due to its proven efficacy in glucose management and established safety profile. Furthermore, the widespread availability of affordable generic formulations enhances patient accessibility and adherence, thereby sustaining the rapid expansion of this segment across international healthcare systems.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global oral anti-diabetic drugs market, primarily driven by the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes across the United States and Canada. This regional leadership is supported by a robust healthcare framework that ensures widespread availability of medication and favorable reimbursement coverage for patients. Additionally, the United States Food and Drug Administration plays a critical role by facilitating the approval of innovative drug classes, which encourages continuous market development. The concentration of major pharmaceutical companies in this region further accelerates product development and availability, securing North America’s status as the primary revenue contributor.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Viking Therapeutics presented new clinical data from a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose trial of its oral tablet formulation of VK2735. The results showed that participants receiving the investigational oral dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist achieved a placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of up to 6.8% after 28 days of once-daily dosing. The company noted that the oral tablet demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability, with the majority of adverse events being mild. This breakthrough research underscores the growing potential for effective oral dual agonists to treat metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• In July 2024, Roche unveiled encouraging topline data from a Phase 1 clinical trial of CT-996, an investigational once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist acquired through a recent strategic transaction. The study demonstrated that participants with obesity treated with the oral drug achieved a clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of 6.1% within just four weeks. The company reported that the drug was well-tolerated and exhibited a safety profile consistent with the incretin drug class. These results marked a significant step in the company's efforts to develop effective oral therapies for the Global Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market.
• In June 2024, Structure Therapeutics reported positive topline results from a Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290, its novel oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. The trial involving patients with obesity or overweight showed a clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of 6.2% over 12 weeks. Furthermore, a separate pharmacokinetic study revealed that a new tablet formulation of the drug resulted in up to 6.9% weight loss. The company confirmed its intention to advance this oral candidate into larger studies, reinforcing its potential as a convenient treatment option for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
• In March 2024, Novo Nordisk announced promising Phase 1 trial results for its experimental oral drug, amycretin, which targets both GLP-1 and amylin receptors. The data revealed that participants with obesity or overweight achieved a significant weight loss of 13.1% after 12 weeks of treatment, compared to just 1.1% for the placebo group. This oral formulation demonstrated a safety profile consistent with the company's existing injectable therapies. The positive findings led to a notable surge in the company's stock price, highlighting the high market demand for effective oral treatments in the Global Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market.

Key Market Players

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
• Sanofi S.A.
• Eli Lilly and Company
• AstraZeneca Plc.
• Astellas Pharma Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG
• Merck And Co. Inc.
• Bristol Myers Squibb Company
• Novartis AG

By Drugs	By End Users	By Region
Biguanides Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors Dopamine -D2 Receptor Agonist Sodium-glucose Cotransport -2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor Dipeptidyl Peptidase - 4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors Sulfonylureas Meglitinides	Hospitals Homecare Speciality Centers Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market, By Drugs:

• Biguanides
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
• Dopamine -D2 Receptor Agonist
• Sodium-glucose Cotransport -2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor
• Dipeptidyl Peptidase - 4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors
• Sulfonylureas
• Meglitinides

• Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market, By End Users:

• Hospitals
• Homecare
• Speciality Centers
• Others

• Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE