Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Size, Share, and Trends 2026 to 2035

Revenue, 2025

USD 10.84 Bn

Forecast Year, 2035

USD 26.31 Bn

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

9.27%

Report Coverage

Global

What is the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Size?

The global osteoarthritis therapeutics market size is calculated at USD 10.84 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 11.86 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 26.31 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 9.27% from 2026 to 2035.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Key Takeaways

• Europe held the biggest market share of 47% in 2025.
• Asia-Pacific is predicted to have a CAGR of 8.7% between 2026 to 2035.
• By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment accounted for 38% of revenue share in 2025.
• Based on anatomy, the knee osteoarthritis segment accounted for 44% of revenue share in 2025.
• By drugs, the market was dominated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) in 2025, with a revenue share of 39%.

Strategic Overview of the Global Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Industry

The most prevalent type of osteoarthritis, arthritis, affects millions of individuals globally. When the required to prevent that cushioning of the bones at their ends gradually deteriorates, it happens. Though arthritis can harm any joint, it most frequently affects the hips, hands, knees, and spine joints.

A recent development in the realm of treating OA may give people who experience associated pain sensations a better joint range of motion. Chondroitin sulfate is discovered to dramatically lessen discomfort and increase hand movement in those with osteoarthritis. Two objectives of arthritis therapy are pain alleviation and improved functional status. To get the best results, patients must receive both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic care.

Artificial Intelligence: The Next Growth Catalyst in Osteoarthritis Therapeutics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the osteoarthritis therapeutics market by significantly accelerating drug discovery and optimizing clinical trial designs. Market leaders are increasingly utilizing AI-driven data analytics to identify precise patient subgroups and predict novel therapeutic targets, which streamlines R&D pipelines and reduces time-to-market. Furthermore, deep learning algorithms are transforming diagnostics through automated imaging analysis, enabling the detection of subtle joint changes, such as cartilage thinning, much earlier than traditional subjective assessments.

Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Growth Factors

The osteoarthritis treatment market is anticipated to expand as the senior population rises. The most prevalent arthritis type among older adults is osteoarthritis, which is also one of the main causes of physical impairment. The condition affects both males and females. Osteoarthritis most frequently affects the hands, neck, lower back, and muscle mass joints such that hips, knees, and feet.

Osteoarthritis does not damage the inner organs; it only affects the joints. As you age, osteoarthritis is much more probable to occur. Osteoarthritis can be brought on by carrying too much weight, having your joints aligned incorrectly, and overworking an already wounded joint.

The industry for osteoarthritis therapies is anticipated to grow as arthritis, including hip or knee osteoarthritis, becomes more common. Knee osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by the disintegration of joint structures as a consequence of mechanical stress and irritation, but the deep root causes of cancer's high incidence are unclear and poorly understood, making it difficult to avoid and cure.

However, it's largely believed that two current public health developments are the most significant. Due to a high BMI and the fact that knee OA is extra mutual as people age (BMI). Osteoporosis of the hip results in pain and stiffness. It can make ordinary actions challenging, such as getting up from a chair or leaning over there to tie your shoe.

The osteoarthritis treatment market is anticipated to be further stimulated by the increase in the need for cell-based studies for the disease. The advancement of osteoarthritis therapeutics based on stem cells is at a turning point. Researchers and clinicians can now look into the possibility of just using bone marrow to modify the advancement of osteoarthritis and epithelial designing to completely resurface an osteoarthritic joint exterior, going to prevent or postpone the requirement for total hip replacement.

This is made possible by the body of literature on cell therapy solitude, chondrocyte distinctions, and formwork design. An increased prevalence of arthritis (OA) among some of the aged is a result of the rise in the world's aging population. The most prevalent kind of joint illness in those over 65, is also linked to a higher mortality rate and a junior standard of living. Osteoarthritis (OA), among the most prevalent causes of discomfort and incapacity in the senior population, is the main factor driving the market.

The lubrication layer of the combined, tissue, is also the subject of numerous arthritis investigations that are now being conducted. That regenerate cartilage, skin cells have been given chemicals to promote proliferation are being employed. The discovery of new chances for the Osteoarthritis Treatment Market is consequently being aided by continuing study and growing federal funding.

Market Outlook

• Market Growth Overview: The osteoarthritis therapeutics market is expected to grow significantly between 2026 and 2035, driven by the rising number of older adults worldwide, increasing obesity rates, significant investment in research for novel treatments, particularly biologics and regenerative medicine that aim to modify the disease's progression rather than just alleviate symptoms.
• Sustainability Trends: Sustainability trends involve eco-friendly packaging & plastic reduction, green chemistry in drug discovery, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
• Major Investors:Major investors in the market include Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Amgen, Pacira BioSciences, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Novo Holdings.
• Startup Economy: The startup economy is focused on disease modification, leveraging emerging technologies, and robust venture capital funding.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Key Market Drivers

Cumulative administration expenditure proceeding cell-based studies; prevalent usage of painkillers.

Osteoporosis discomfort is recurrently treated through oral, dental, and parenteral analgesics. The reception of painkillers for the disease is substantially owed to the accessibility of supervision and the fee of narcotic painkillers, even if choices like orthopedic splints are applied as a component of a harmless technique of giving discomfort. Oral ache medicines such as paracetamol as well as NSAIDs such as naproxen, opiates, ibuprofen, and duloxetine are amongst the numerous formulae of anesthetics used.

Additional kinds contain pertinent managers similar to NSAIDs and capsaicin, established on bury activities like glucocorticoids but also hyaluronic mordant, and dietary complements include chondroitin and glucosamine. Rendering to training, using these pills right away diminishes severe discomfort by 30.00%. Over the next ten years, it is estimated that an increasing number of people would use painkillers to treat the pain brought on by osteoarthritis, which will fuel market expansion over the research period.

Key Market Challenges

NSAID use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is connected with a potential for adverse cardiovascular risk.

Patients with osteoarthritis frequently use NSAIDS, both over-the-counter and on prescription. Over 60% of persons in the US who have osteoarthritis of the knees accept nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, depending on a Bioengineering Document from 2019. Correspondingly, in the US, 60.00% of all European knee degenerative joint disease affected role who acquired remedy medicines also attained nonsteroid anti-seditious drugs.

The ingesting of NSAIDs upsurges the coincidental of emerging thoughtful heart sickness. Mutually cox-2-specific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs improve users' danger of CVD.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are accountable for further than 3 of the augmented cardiac danger related to degenerative joint disease, rendering education obtainable at the annual Information European Assembly of Rheumatology. Such hazards linked with NSAID use may discourage physicians from prescribing these drugs while prompting OTC NSAID users to seek out alternative medicines.

Key Market Opportunities

Osteoarthritis treatment on an individual basis

Modified OA medications have remained conceptualized, which represents a significant advancement in the analysis, treatment, and valuation of illness harshness in patient role with knee joint degenerative joint disease. Easy dimension, improvement healthier of sensitivity also specificity, and counting examination methods that are amicable and effortlessly legible by surgeons are critical appearances that take quantifiable charge for a modified treatment method for osteoarthritis.

The application of pointers to identify entities who are the furthermost perspective to counter to specific treatments might recover the beneficial retort areas and inferior the danger of revealing affected role to tablets is moreover improbable to be obliging or determination reason foremost lateral belongings. Using a mixture of distinct markers & relevant clinical traits on different ages in addition to gender might aid in further improving attempts to tailor RA treatment plans.

Segment Insights

Drugs Insights

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) segment has captured the largest revenue share in 2025, and this trend is anticipated to continue over the projected timeframe due to a rise in NSAID drug acceptance, the introduction of new products, as well as a rise in the number of prescriptions.

Even so, the utilized in an assortment agent market is anticipated to expand significantly over the course of the forecast period due to rising osteoarthritis pervasiveness, advancements in R&D for the creation of new small oil droplet agents, and govt initiatives to encourage research in the healthcare industry.

In 2023, it is anticipated that the market for osteoarthritis therapies would be dominated by viscosupplementation products. The primary reason for the expansion of this market is the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Anatomy Insights

The knee osteoarthritis segment has held the highest revenue share in2025. The market is divided into hand, knee, hip, & small-joint osteoarthritis therapies based on anatomy. The market's biggest and fastest-growing category is therapies for osteoarthritis of the knee. The high prevalence of osteoarthritis of the knee is the main cause of this.

Distribution Channel Insights

The hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market in 2025 and accounted largest revenue share. Owing to the significant amount of patient's role who were treated for arthritis in clinics and the wide assortment of osteoarthritis drugs obtainable through these pharmacists, pharmacy technicians held the highest market share in this segment in 2023. Due to government schemes for improving hospital pharmacies and an increase in osteoarthritis incidence.

Nevertheless, due to improvements in health technologies and an increase in the demand for distant services, the internet pharmacy market is anticipated to have substantial growth during the projected timeframe.

Route of Administration Insights

The parental route is anticipated to hold the highest share in2025. The injectable route isanticipated to experience the fastest CAGR growth over the course of the forecast timeframe. Due to its straightforwardness of management and improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the intravenous route has been widely adopted for the delivery of osteoarthritis treatments, which has led to greater patient adherence.

Purchasing Pattern Insights

The industry for osteoarthritis therapies had the biggest proportion in2025, according to prescribed pharmaceuticals. Because the majority of corticosteroid & visco-supplementation treatments for arthritis are only accessible with a prescription in 2025, the market category for prescribed medications held a bigger share in 2025.

Regional Insights

Europe Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Size and Growth 2026 to 2035

The Europe osteoarthritis therapeutics market size is exhibited at USD 5.09 billion in 2025 and is projected to be worth around USD 12.36 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 9.28% from 2026 to 2035.

Europe was the highest revenue holder in 2025.The market for osteoarthritis treatments was dominated by Europe. The large share of this particular market can be explained by the increasing pervasiveness of rheumatoid arthritis, the increasing geriatric population, as well as increasing obesity rates across several European countries, as well as the increasing amount of injuries sustained in sports as well as collisions on the street due to the presence of main players, accessibility of sophisticated scientific research for developing drugs, and rise in the number of arthritic approvals.

Germany Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Trends

The German market, the rapidly aging population, which heightens demand for effective treatments. The adoption of personalized medicine and biologics, which aim to address the underlying causes of disease rather than just its symptoms. Technological integration, especially the use of AI in R&D and clinical trials, is streamlining the development of novel therapies. Furthermore, a preference for minimally invasive treatments and a desire to mitigate the substantial economic burden on the healthcare system are shaping market direction.

However, because of factors like rising rates of osteoarthritis, growth in the number of women in the population, an expansion in healthcare spending, and a lack of physical activity, Asia-Pacific is predicted to have a CAGR of 8.7% between 2026 to 2035. Because it is the region of the world market with the quickest growth, Asia-Pacific also contributes to the growth. Large patient populations, supportive government regulations, and rising healthcare costs all contribute to this country's economic development.

China Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Trends

China's market is experiencing robust growth driven by a dual healthcare approach, integrating Western medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine to manage symptoms and unmet needs. The market is also progressing toward innovative therapies like biologics and regenerative medicine, with notable scientific advancements in cartilage repair materials. Furthermore, the adoption of digital health solutions is on the rise, supporting patient education and remote management.

How did North America gain a notable share in the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market?

North America's technological leadership and R&D dominance, supported by major pharmaceutical companies and cutting-edge regenerative medicine, ensure a constant flow of innovative treatments. This is further bolstered by an advanced healthcare infrastructure that facilitates high adoption rates of premium therapies. A supportive regulatory environment and strong reimbursement policies make North America a lucrative and dynamic market for osteoarthritis treatments.

U.S. Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market Trends

The U.S. market is driven by high disease prevalence from an aging and obese population, and is rapidly evolving toward innovative, personalized treatments. Key trends balance the dominance of traditional symptomatic relief drugs (NSAIDs) with a significant shift toward cutting-edge biologics, regenerative medicines, and minimally invasive procedures.

Value Chain Analysis of the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market

Research & Development (R&D) and Discovery: This initial stage focuses on identifying novel biomarkers and drug targets, with a heavy current emphasis on Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOADs) and regenerative medicine.

• Key Players:Novartis AG, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Biosplice Therapeutics, and Samumed, LLC.

Clinical Development & Regulatory Approval: During this phase, candidate therapies undergo rigorous multi-phase clinical trials to prove efficacy and safety before seeking approval from bodies like the FDA or EMA.

• Key Players: Pfizer Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi S.A., and Sun Pharma (specifically for its non-opioid MM-II candidate).

Manufacturing and Supply Chain: This stage involves the large-scale production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biologics, and specialized delivery systems like intra-articular injections.

• Key Players: Bayer AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc., and Anika Therapeutics, Inc.

Marketing, Sales, and Distribution: Finished products are moved through various channels, including hospital and retail pharmacies, supported by large-scale sales teams and educational initiatives.

• Key Players: Johnson & Johnson MedTech (co-promoting ZILRETTA with Pacira BioSciences), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Abbott Laboratories.

Post-Market Surveillance and Patient Management: The final stage focuses on real-world evidence collection and long-term patient outcomes through digital health platforms and wearable monitoring tools.

• Key Players: Johnson & Johnson (integrating digital monitoring), Zimmer Biomet Holdings, and Sandoz.

Top Companies in the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market & Their Offerings

• Abbott Laboratories: The company provides a diversified portfolio of pain management solutions and medical devices essential for joint health monitoring. It maintains a strong global distribution network that ensures accessibility to both over-the-counter and prescription pharmacological treatments.
• ABIOGEN PHARMA S.p.A:This company is a specialist in bone and joint metabolism, offering critical pharmacological treatments aimed at improving patient mobility. It is recognized as a dominant industry player due to its extensive product portfolio and strategic global distribution.
• Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc.:Ampio focuses on the development of its OA-201 program, which explores a proprietary small-molecule formulation for treating knee osteoarthritis. Its research aims to provide novel therapeutic options specifically targeting joint inflammation and pain.
• Anika Therapeutics Inc.: Anika is a global leader in hyaluronic acid innovations, offering a portfolio of injectable viscosupplements like Monovisc and Orthovisc for knee pain relief. It is also advancing regenerative solutions, such as the Hyalofast scaffold for cartilage repair, which is moving toward FDA submission in late 2025.
• Bayer Aktiengesellschaft:Bayer contributes significantly through its extensive range of anti-inflammatory medications and ongoing research into biologics for joint preservation. It remains a major operator in the global market, leveraging its R&D infrastructure to develop next-generation pain relief.
• Bioventus: Bioventus specializes in active healing and pain management through a portfolio of minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical treatments. It is increasingly experimenting with combining surgical options with pharmacological interventions to enhance patient recovery.
• Eli Lilly and Company: Lilly is a primary contributor to the development of Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOADs) and biologics designed for long-term symptom relief. It maintains a robust clinical pipeline focused on both innovative pain management and slowing disease progression.
• Ferring B.V.: Ferring provides specialized viscosupplementation therapies and focuses on the development of injectable treatments for localized joint pain. Its international footprint allows it to offer targeted orthopedic solutions across multiple global regions.
• Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.:Now part of Pacira BioSciences, Flexion contributed Zilretta, the first FDA-approved extended-release intra-articular injection for knee OA pain. It continues to focus on specialized biologic treatments that provide sustained relief through innovative delivery systems.
• GlaxoSmithKline Plc.: GSK is a major player offering a wide array of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, including well-known topical and oral pain relievers. The company leverages its massive market share to provide affordable and accessible symptomatic relief options globally.
• Horizon Therapeutics plc.: Now a subsidiary of Amgen, Horizon focuses on the treatment of rare and inflammatory diseases, contributing specialized expertise in managing severe arthritic conditions. Its portfolio includes innovative therapies that target specific inflammatory pathways to preserve joint function.
• Johnson & Johnson Inc.:Through its Janssen and MedTech divisions, J&J offers advanced viscosupplementation and recently introduced sustained-release anti-inflammatory formulations in late 2025. It integrates digital health tools with its therapies to improve patient adherence and long-term joint management.
• Medivir: Medivir contributes to the market through the development of specialized protease inhibitors aimed at treating the underlying causes of osteoarthritis. Its research focuses on therapeutic candidates that can prevent cartilage breakdown and provide disease modification.
• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD): Merck is advancing the next generation of NSAID remedies designed to reduce pain while minimizing common gastrointestinal side effects. It is also a key investor in biologics and joint preservation research to broaden its OA portfolio.
• Novartis AG:Novartis is a leader in identifying novel molecular targets and biomarkers through its extensive R&D into biologics and gene therapies. It focuses on developing high-impact therapies that aim to modify the course of osteoarthritis rather than just alleviating symptoms.
• OrthogenRx, Inc.:OrthogenRx specializes in the commercialization of cost-effective viscosupplementation products like GenVisc 850 and TriVisc. It contributes to market competition by providing high-quality, generic-style injectable alternatives for knee pain.
• Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Pacira focuses on non-opioid pain management solutions, specifically through its acquisition of long-acting injectable therapies. It contributes to the market by reducing reliance on opioids through the promotion of extended-release analgesics for chronic joint pain.
• Pfizer, Inc.: Pfizer is a dominant force in the market, leveraging deep expertise in small-molecule development for both symptomatic relief and disease modification. It integrates digital health solutions and strategic R&D alliances to deliver patient-centric osteoarthritis treatments.
• PHARMED LTD.:Pharmed contributes to the market by manufacturing and distributing various orthopedic supplements and pharmacological treatments focused on joint health. It plays a key role in making essential OA therapies accessible in emerging markets.
• Regeneron:Regeneron focuses on innovative biologic treatments, including monoclonal antibodies that target specific pain receptors like Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Its research is pivotal in creating high-potency, targeted therapies for severe chronic pain without using opioids.
• Sanofi S.A.:Sanofi is a global leader in the viscosupplementation market, offering well-known products such as Synvisc and Synvisc-One. The company invests heavily in R&D to maintain a strong presence in the non-surgical osteoarthritis treatment sector.
• TissueGene Inc.:This company specializes in regenerative medicine, focusing on cell-mediated gene therapies like TG-C (Invossa) for treating knee osteoarthritis. Its contributions are centered on restoring damaged cartilage and potentially reversing the progression of the disease.
• Zimmer Biomet Holding:Zimmer Biomet provides a unique mix of surgical implants and non-surgical viscosupplement-based injections for OA treatment. In 2025, it will increasingly integrate AI and digital monitoring into its joint replacement and preservation programs.

Recent Developments in the Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Industry

• In July 2025, Johnson & Johnson MedTech partnered with Pacira BioSciences to co-promote ZILRETTA, an extended-release injectable designed to improve non-surgical care pathways. The agreement is planned to improve the early intervention portfolio for tackling the rising osteoarthritis burden through non-surgical solutions. (Source: jnj.com)
• In June 2025, Abbott announced a strategic partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals to distribute oral chronic care medications, further expanding its robust primary care footprint. Abbott is planned to offer the MSD's Januvia, Janument, and Janument XR across India through this agreement to support diabetes management efforts. (Source: expresspharma.in)
• GlaxoSmithKline Pic (UK) introduced Voltaren in the US in 2020.
• Ireland's Horizon Therapeutics Pic increased its footprint in the US in 2020.
• A 2019 agreement between Kitov Pharma Ltd. (Israel) and Coeptis Pharmaceuticals has aided in the effective commercialization and distribution of Content.
• In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Atnahs opened a retail location in 2016.
• In 2017, the FDA approved ZILRETTA from Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. (US).

Segments Covered in the Report

By Drugs

• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Naproxen
  • Aspirin
  • Diclofenac
  • Ibuprofen
• Viscosupplementation agents
• Corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic Acid Injection
• Analgesics
  • Duloxetine
  • Acetaminophen

By Anatomy

• Ankle Osteoarthritis
• Hip Osteoarthritis
• Knee Osteoarthritis
• Shoulder Osteoarthritis
• Others

By Purchasing Pattern

• Prescription Drugs
• Over-the-counter Drugs

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Hypermarket & Supermarket
• Online Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Others

By Route of Administration

• Parenteral Route
• Topical Route
• Oral Route

By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East and Africa