Asthma therapeutics market is estimated to be valued at USD 20.44 Bn in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 23.30 Bn by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9% from 2026 to 2033.
The increasing prevalence of asthma in all age groups, along with growing exposure to environmental pollutants and allergens, is fueling the demand for effective asthma therapies. The growing trend of adopting guideline-driven treatment strategies, including combination inhalers and biologic therapies, has greatly improved the management of the disease and its outcomes. The pharmaceutical industry is witnessing an increasing trend of developing and launching new drug formulations, including long-acting inhalers and biologic therapies.
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Based on drug type, the combination products segment is projected to offer the largest market share of approximately 39% in 2026, due to the widespread adoption of these products according to guidelines and their improved efficacy compared to monotherapies. Combination products, like inhalers that have corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists or muscarinic antagonists, help with symptoms and lower the number of flare-ups.
For instance, in October 2025, AstraZeneca announced a distribution update for its combination rescue inhaler Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) by selling it directly to consumers in the U.S. through its AstraZeneca Direct service, improving access and affordability while leveraging its FDA-approved combination therapy product status.
By route of administration, the inhalation segment is projected to hold approximately 72% of the overall market share in 2026, followed by the oral route, as inhalation-based therapies are considered the primary mode of treatment for asthma. This is because the inhalation route enables the direct administration of the drug to the lungs.
For instance, in July 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a propellant with a low global warming potential (GWP) for existing inhalation medicines like Trixeo Aerosphere and Riltrava Aerosphere. This made it possible to have more environmentally friendly inhalers without lowering their effectiveness.
Based on the distribution channel, retail pharmacies are expected to account for a market share of approximately 57% in 2026. This is due to the wide availability of products and a high rate of prescription refills. Retail pharmacies are considered the main entry point for patients seeking chronic asthma medications. The growing number of patients who need prescription refills and the rise in long-term maintenance therapies both support the idea that retail pharmacies are the most important players in the global asthma therapeutics market.
For instance, in September 2025, AstraZeneca launched AstraZeneca Direct, a direct-to-consumer platform where patients could order their medications, like AIRSUPRA (an asthma inhaler), directly online with home delivery and up to 70% off the list price.

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North America is anticipated to lead the market for asthma therapeutics in 2026, with a projected market share of 40%. The dominance of the North American market can be attributed to factors such as the well-established healthcare infrastructure, the high prevalence of asthma, the widespread use of advanced therapies such as combination inhalers and biologics, and the favorable reimbursement policies.
For instance, in May 2025, GSK announced expanded analyses and data from its respiratory portfolio at the 2025 American Thoracic Society conference, including additional insights supporting twice-yearly dosing with depemokimab for asthma and COPD outcomes.
The Asia Pacific market is expected to grow the fastest for asthma treatments because asthma is becoming more common, people are getting better access to healthcare, cities are growing, and people in developing countries like China, India, and Japan are becoming more aware of respiratory diseases. The growth is also due to the growing middle class, which has more money to spend, and government health programs that help people get diagnosed and treated for asthma early.
For instance, in December 2025, Altamira Therapeutics announced marketing approval of Bentrio® nasal spray by China’s NMPA for allergic rhinitis, a condition often co-occurring with or exacerbating asthma symptoms.
The U.S. asthma therapeutics market continues to expand, driven by high disease prevalence, strong reimbursement frameworks, and rapid adoption of advanced biologic therapies and combination inhalers. The increasing awareness of severe and uncontrolled cases of asthma has led to an increased demand for new treatments beyond conventional short-acting bronchodilators to targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and combination rescue inhalers.
For instance, in Chiesi USA, Inc. announced that the FDA accepted for review its New Drug Application (NDA) for a single-inhaler triple-therapy asthma treatment combining an inhaled corticosteroid, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), and an anticholinergic agent.
The asthma therapeutics market in Japan is driven by its rapidly aging population, high accessibility of healthcare, and strong preference for evidence-based, doctor-recommended treatments. Older patients are more susceptible to chronic respiratory diseases, thus creating a constant demand for maintenance therapies, inhaled corticosteroid combinations, and biologic add-on therapies. The Japanese market also focuses on safety, efficacy, and compliance, thus encouraging pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments with simplified dosing regimens.
For instance, in December 2025, Sanofi & Regeneron’s Dupixent (dupilumab) was approved in Japan for the treatment of bronchial asthma in children aged 6–11 years whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with current therapy.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2025 | Market Size in 2026: | USD 20.44 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2026 To 2033 |
| Forecast Period 2026 to 2033 CAGR: | 1.9% | 2033 Value Projection: | USD 23.30 Bn |
| Geographies covered: |
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| Companies covered: |
GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Philips Healthcare, AstraZeneca Plc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Sanofi-Aventis SA, CareFusion Corporation, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Merck & Co., Inc., and Roche Diagnostics. |
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One of the main factors propelling the market for asthma treatments is the increase in asthma cases in both developed and developing nations. The number of children and adults with asthma is rising as a result of urbanization, air pollution, occupational exposure, and lifestyle modifications. Early diagnosis and treatment are the outcome of improved diagnostic accuracy and raised patient and healthcare professional awareness. The market for maintenance inhalers, combination products, and cutting-edge biologic therapies is also being driven by government initiatives, new clinical guidelines, and easier access to healthcare services that support long-term disease management.
The asthma therapeutics market provides a significant opportunity with the emergence of new biologic therapies and new drug delivery systems. The pharmaceutical sector is experiencing a rising trend in targeted biologic therapies that specifically target certain inflammatory pathways, which provide improved results for patients with severe or uncontrolled asthma. Additionally, new inhaler devices, including smart inhalers and long-acting inhalers, have the potential to improve patient compliance.
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About Author
Ghanshyam Shrivastava - With over 20 years of experience in the management consulting and research, Ghanshyam Shrivastava serves as a Principal Consultant, bringing extensive expertise in biologics and biosimilars. His primary expertise lies in areas such as market entry and expansion strategy, competitive intelligence, and strategic transformation across diversified portfolio of various drugs used for different therapeutic category and APIs. He excels at identifying key challenges faced by clients and providing robust solutions to enhance their strategic decision-making capabilities. His comprehensive understanding of the market ensures valuable contributions to research reports and business decisions.
Ghanshyam is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and contributes to various publications on pharma industry.
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