The human insulin market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.28%, reaching a market size of US$27,421.71 million in 2030 from US$23,334.45 million in 2025.
Insulin is the hormone that controls sugar levels in the body. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition with an abnormal increase in blood glucose or sugar levels. Currently, it has two types. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreatic beta cells are unable to secrete insulin, whereas in type 2, the cells of the body become less sensitive to insulin secretion. With the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, the incidence of diabetes is anticipated to surge in the insulin market. In addition, favorable reimbursement trends in developed countries are expected to contribute to overall market growth.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic ailment that has been defined through increased blood glucose levels in the blood hypoglycemia. Humans have human insulin, which is widely used in individualized treatment, insulin replacement in clinical therapy, and specialty treatment to treat and control the disease. However, the demand for insulin is further propelled by the increasing consumption of the drug to treat type 1 diabetes, which controls blood sugar levels and prevents hyperglycemia by providing the essential insulin that does not form in the body. It is used orally and is designed to improve glucose uptake and increase the amount of insulin in the body.
Further, the market is also expanding due to the increasing demand for insulin pump therapy products that provide a continuous flow of insulin all day, mimicking the basal insulin secretion by a healthy pancreas. In addition to that, human insulin is also very important in preventing high or low-glucose shifts in preoperative and critical care environments and, hence, is imperative in lessening surgical complications.
For the elderly population with diabetes to achieve ideal glycemic control, human insulin is essential. Based on variables including age, medical history, renal function, and general health, it enables tailored treatment and exact dosage modifications to satisfy the unique requirements of elderly people. Moreover, human insulin has been used for more than a century to treat diabetes, thus proving its safety record, making it less dangerous for older people than other more modern treatments.
Additionally, it compares to some of the other medications for diabetes in helping to lower the incidence of hypoglycemia within the older population. This is because diabetic elderly people need human insulin for optimal glycemic control. Age, previous disease history, renal function, and general health are some variables based on which it would provide customized therapeutic and exact dose adjustments to meet the specialized needs of an older person. Further, human insulin has been around for over a century to treat diabetes, thus having a proven safety record and, therefore, less dangerous for older persons than many other new treatments. It also invites comparison with some of the other medications for diabetes in helping to lower the incidence of hypoglycemia in the older population.
The market is expanding favourably due to the advent of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology that does not require an animal source of insulin and provides a much more stable and reliable source of insulin. Increased harvesting due to continuous manufacturing processes for insulin has made it possible to produce them continuously, thus boosting productivity and efficiency by saving time and cost and enabling immediate reaction to shifts in demand.
Moreover, recent developments in bioprocessing, like advanced media formulation, cell culture practices, and improvements in fermentation, have also contributed to the market development because they help in reducing the cost of production without compromising the product quality. Further, these are the novel developments in advanced processing, emphasizing chromatography, filtration, and affinity-based separation techniques, driving the market towards achieving efficacy and efficiency in insulin purification.
Due to the acceptance of new medications and other innovations, the increasing consumption of insulin has greatly boosted the demand. However, the market expansion was slightly stunted due to the absence of reimbursement in developing and impoverished countries. For instance, according to an article by PharmaBoardroom, India does not have any reimbursement system from the government for medicines, medical devices, or biologics under any public scheme. Medical devices or biologics are most often out-of-pocket paid in India.
Moreover, the innumerable undiagnosed diabetic patients in developing nations affect the market's overall growth. Patients generally get payments for treatment, but to receive treatment, a diagnosis is needed. In most countries, there is still a high prevalence of untreated diabetes which retards market growth.
The high prevalence of diabetes in North America, which is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, has resulted in the United States gaining a stranglehold on the global human insulin market. The cost factor is the biggest concern in the US since domestic insulin producers receive about half of their revenue. The United States accounts for most of the global sales of Lantus, a long-acting insulin. Many diabetes medication manufacturers view the country as a key market to boost global sales. Lantus is the most popular basal insulin worldwide and holds a monopoly on the US market.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Market Size in 2026 | US$23,334.45 million |
| Total Market Size in 2031 | US$27,421.71 million |
| Growth Rate | 3.28% |
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Segmentation | Product Type, Application, Distribution Channel, Geography |
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Companies |
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