Oral Thin Films Market Size to Exceed USD 6.46 Bn by 2032

The Oral Thin Films Market, estimated at USD 3.40 Bn in 2025, is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.6% and reach USD 6.46 Bn by 2032.

The market growth is driven by increasing demand for innovative and effective drugs across diverse therapeutic areas. Advances in drug discovery, biopharmaceuticals, and digital technologies are improving treatment outcomes and operational efficiency. Supportive regulations, rising R&D investments, and a strong focus on patient-centric care are creating new opportunities for pharmaceutical companies.

Market Dynamics:

The growth of the global oral thin films market is driven by increasing patient compliance for oral thin film drugs and a growing product pipeline. Oral thin films witness high acceptance among patients due to their easy administration without water compared to conventional tablets and capsules. Furthermore, attributes like precise dosing and rapid disintegration are contributing to improved patient compliance. Key pharmaceutical companies are also actively engaging in developing novel thin film formulations for various therapeutic applications including nausea, migraine, cough, and cold. For instance, in 2021, IntelGenx , oral film development & manufacturing company received U.S. FDA, Food and Drug Administration approval for Rizaport migraine thin film. Such approvals and expansions in the product pipeline will likely boost the oral thin films market over the forecast period.

Growing Demand for Convenient Drug Delivery Methods

The global oral thin films market has seen significant growth in recent years due to the increasing demand for more convenient drug delivery methods compared to traditional tablets and capsules. Oral thin films dissolve quickly in the mouth without the need for water, allowing for easy oral administration of medications. This makes them particularly suitable for pediatric, geriatric patients who have difficulty swallowing pills. The on-the-go nature of oral thin films also appeals to the global population that leads a busy lifestyle with growing health awareness.

Higher Bioavailability and Faster Absorption of Drugs

Oral thin films are able to dissolve rapidly in the oral cavity within seconds, thereby allowing the active pharmaceutical ingredients to pass directly into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa. This provides a more direct entry into the systemic circulation compared to traditional oral solid dosage forms. Hence, oral thin films often demonstrate higher bioavailability and more rapid onset of action. This translates to better therapeutic outcomes for conditions like migraine, nausea, etc. where quick relief is important. The improved pharmacokinetic profile of oral thin films makes them an attractive alternative to tablets and capsules.

Difficulties in Manufacturing and Scalability

The manufacturing of oral thin films is technically complex and requires sophisticated equipment to precisely control the film thickness, uniform distribution of drugs, and stability testing. Uniformity in drug content across individual dosage units must also be ensured for regulatory approval. Maintaining quality and consistency during large-scale commercial manufacturing poses significant challenges. Additionally, different film formulations may be required based on the drug's properties, thus increasing costs. These technical difficulties hinder the scaling up of oral thin film production.

Relatively High Production Costs

The production costs of oral thin films is relatively high compared to conventional solid oral dosage forms like tablets due to the specialized manufacturing equipment involved. Additionally, the low payloads of APIs in each thin film lead to high production costs per dosage. This eventually increases the drug prices, limiting widespread adoption, especially in price-sensitive generic markets. Production costs must come down significantly for oral thin films to penetrate mainstream pharmaceutical markets on a large commercial scale.

Growing Over-The-Counter Medication Market

The self-medication trend through over-the-counter drugs is on the rise globally as people prefer treating minor ailments without medical prescriptions. Oral thin films are well-suited for convenient self-administration of common OTC drugs like pain killers, antihistamines, cough & cold remedies, etc. due to their ease of ingestion without water. This represents a major opportunity to expand thin film applications beyond prescription drugs into the large OTC marketplace.

Developing Markets with High Disease Burden

Developing economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America are experiencing a growing disease burden due to lifestyle conditions like diabetes, hypertension along with viral & bacterial infections. Oral thin films can potentially address issues around access to healthcare by serving as an affordable alternative to traditional tablets in resource-constrained settings with lower compliance. Their heat-stable nature also lends to storage and distribution in challenging tropical conditions, opening up opportunities in developing world markets.

Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/oral-thin-films-market-5236

Key Development

On February 18, 2024, CD Formulation, pharmaceutical and biotechnology company introduced Oral Thin Film Technology, a groundbreaking drug delivery system set to transform medication administration. This user-friendly method involves placing a thin film strip in the oral cavity, where it rapidly dissolves, delivering medication directly into the bloodstream. By adhering to the inner cheek or under the tongue, these films ensure swift absorption, bypassing digestion and liver metabolism. This innovative approach offers significant advantages over traditional delivery methods like tablets or capsules.
In July 2023, a new patient-friendly drug delivery method developed by NUS start-up PharLyfe+ is now commercialized. This method utilizes oral films placed on the inner cheek to release medication into the bloodstream via the mucosal membrane. Supported by NUS GRIP, NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme it reduces risks of choking and dosing errors associated with traditional methods.
In July 2023, NUS pharmacists developed a “cheeky” and pain-free solution for drug delivery. A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed oral films for painless and efficient drug administration. These easy-to-use films offer a discreet alternative to conventional methods, alleviating distress for patients, particularly children and the elderly.
In July 2021, Shilpa Medicare Ltd., a research-led global integrated pharmaceutical company, unveiled dissolving oral thin films of paracetamol. These films offer a convenient and rapid delivery method for medication.

Key Players: Aquestive Therapeutics Inc., IntelGenx Corp., LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG, NAL Pharma6., ZIM Laboratories Limited, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cure Pharmaceutical, C.L.Pharm , Viatris, MonoSol Rx, Indivior, ALLERGAN, IntelGenx:, BioAlliance Pharma, Paladin Labs, and Labte