Market Overview
| Study Period | 2021 - 2032 |
|---|---|
| Forecast Data Period | 2027 - 2032 |
| Historical Data Period | 2021 - 2025 |
| Base Year Market Size (2026) | USD 0.97 Billion |
| Market Size (2027) | USD 0.99 Billion |
| Market Size (2032) | USD 1.09 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2027 - 2032) | 2.01 % |
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. | |
APAC Biguanide Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The APAC Biguanide Market size is projected to expand from USD 0.97 billion in 2026 and USD 0.99 billion in 2027 to USD 1.09 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 2.01% between 2027 and 2032.
Biguanides are oral antidiabetic medications primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes. They help lower blood glucose levels by decreasing glucose production in the liver and improving the body’s response to insulin. Metformin remains the only biguanide widely available for diabetes management in most countries. Prominent metformin brands include Glucophage and Glucophage XR, an extended-release formulation, as well as Fortamet, Glumetza, and Riomet. Metformin is also available in fixed-dose combinations with other diabetes drug classes, including sulfonylureas. Owing to its established efficacy and safety profile, metformin is commonly used as a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. Extended-release formulations may offer improved convenience for patients who require once-daily dosing.
As Type 2 diabetes is associated with both poorer clinical outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased risk of death in such hospitalized patients, the role of glucose control has been emphasized to improve the prognosis. Metformin is the first-line choice for the management of hyperglycemia in T2DM. Besides being an important glucose-lowering agent, metformin also has significant anti-inflammatory.
Therefore, metformin has been a potential candidate for treating patients affected by COVID-19 infection, with type 2 diabetes, as well as an excellent antidiabetic (glucose-lowering) agent during COVID-19 pandemic times.
Diabetes is associated with many health complications. Patients with diabetes require many corrections throughout the day for maintaining normal blood glucose levels, such as oral anti-diabetic medication or the ingestion of additional carbohydrates, by monitoring their blood glucose levels.
Over the past few decades, Asian countries have witnessed a rapid increase in diabetes patients, especially those with type 2 diabetes. Developing countries have more than 70% of the global diabetes population. The Asia -Pacific is anticipated to experience considerable growth due to a more geriatric population and rising prevalence of diabetes mainly due to the enhanced stress level, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and excessive consumption of alcohol that elevates the body's sugar levels have led to the growth of the market. Moreover, the production basis of certain antidiabetic drug companies in the region also boosted market growth.
Note: Market numbers in this report are based on Mordor Intelligence's proprietary estimation framework, which combines nine months of actuals with Q4 projections for base year 2026.
Market Trends and Insights
Rising diabetes prevalence
The diabetes population in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to rise by more than 1% over the forecast period.
The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed an alarming increase in the prevalence of diabetes in recent years. In developing countries such as China and India, the rate of diabetes is at an all-time high, mainly due to lifestyle changes. Approximately 90 million adults in the IDF South-East Asia Region had diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. The number of people with this condition is expected to rise to 152 million by 2045, and the 206 million adults in the IDF Western Pacific Region who had diabetes will likely reach 260 million by 2045.
Metformin is typically the first medication used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes due to its wide range of efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action. Metformin and other anti-diabetic drug combinations have a low risk of hypoglycemia, provide beta cell protection, offer cardio-renal benefits, and are safe for patients with kidney or liver conditions and senior citizens.
Owing to the rising rate of obesity, the growing genetic factors for type-2 diabetes, the increasing prevalence, and the aforementioned factors, it is likely that the market will continue to grow.
China holds the highest market share in the Asia-Pacific Biguanide Market in the current year
China holds the highest market share in the Asia-Pacific biguanide market and is expected to register a CAGR of around 2% over the forecast period.
China has been recognized as a potential developing market due to the growing diabetic population in this region. It is a mature market with some associated challenges, like slow economic growth, an aging population, and increased competition. The country is witnessing a significant increase in the number of generic drug manufacturers.
Furthermore, the leading global players in the market studied are facing intense competition from regional players. In this region, there is a growing preference for oral anti-diabetics among type-2 diabetic patients. The high prevalence of type-2 diabetes is associated with a significant economic burden. The costs of diabetes are increased in patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia and in patients who develop complications. Costs increase with an increasing number of complications.
Diabetes reduces lifespan, and people with the disease are likely to experience blindness and be hospitalized for amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. The first-line therapy used in patients with T2DM is metformin monotherapy. When metformin is contraindicated or not tolerated, or when treatment goals are not achieved after three months of use at the maximum tolerated dose, other options need to be considered. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are newer drugs for diabetes mellitus. They are usually used with metformin to treat diabetes.
Owing to the aforementioned factors, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
The Asia-Pacific biguanide market is fragmented, with manufacturers like Takeda, Merck, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals having a global market presence and the market is highly competitive due to other generic drugs manufacturers' presence.
APAC Biguanide Industry Leaders
-
Takeda
-
Bristol-Myers Squibb
-
Glenmark
-
Merck and Co.
-
Sanofi Aventis
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
APAC Biguanide Market Companies Covered in this Report
- Merck
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Sanofi
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
Recent Industry Developments in APAC Biguanide Market
- February 2023: Zydus Lifesciences Limited received tentative approval from the USFDA for Invokamet tablets (canagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride combination). Canagliflozin and metformin combination products are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are not adequately controlled on a regimen containing metformin or canagliflozin or in patients already being treated with both canagliflozin and metformin.
- July 2022: The drug pricing regulator NPPA in India fixed the retail prices for 84 drug formulations, including those used for the treatment of diabetes, headaches, and high blood pressure. As per the order, a single tablet of (SR) Metformin Hydrochloride is expected to be priced at INR 10.47 (USD 0.13), excluding GST.
APAC Biguanide Market Report Scope
Biguanides are a class of diabetes medications that are used for people with type-2 diabetes. The Asia-Pacific biguanide market is segmented by geography. The report offers the value (in USD) and volume (in unit) for the above segments.
Segmentation Overview
Geography
| Japan |
| South Korea |
| China |
| India |
| Australia |
| Vietnam |
| Malaysia |
| Indonesia |
| Philippines |
| Thailand |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific |
| Geography | Japan |
| South Korea | |
| China | |
| India | |
| Australia | |
| Vietnam | |
| Malaysia | |
| Indonesia | |
| Philippines | |
| Thailand | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the APAC Biguanide Market?
The APAC Biguanide Market size is expected to reach USD 0.99 billion in 2027 and grow at a CAGR of 2.01% to reach USD 1.09 billion by 2032.
What is the current APAC Biguanide Market size?
In 2026, the APAC Biguanide Market size is expected to reach USD 0.97 billion.
Who are the key players in APAC Biguanide Market?
Takeda, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Glenmark, Merck and Co. and Sanofi Aventis are the major companies operating in the APAC Biguanide Market.
What years does this APAC Biguanide Market cover, and what was the market size in 2025?
In 2025, the APAC Biguanide Market size was estimated at USD 0.95 billion. The report covers the APAC Biguanide Market historical market size for years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The report also forecasts the APAC Biguanide Market size for years: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032.