Market Overview

The global market for genital herpes treatment was valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach around USD 2.9 billion by 2027, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 3.76%. Herpes simplex virus (HSV), commonly known as herpes, is a prevalent infection worldwide. HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, with infections occurring in or around the mouth, but it can also lead to genital herpes. Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), is primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Individuals with genital herpes experience the development of painful blisters in the genital area, including the anus and its inner regions. Oral and vaginal herpes infections are often asymptomatic or go unnoticed, but they can occasionally result in the formation of painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection, ranging from mild to severe. The infection is chronic, and symptoms can recur over the course of several years.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20% of people living with HIV/AIDS are in their 20s, and 1 in 20 adolescents acquire an STI each year. Adolescents are more prone to engaging in unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, and participating in transactional sexual relationships across different age groups. The structure of the cervical lining in adult females and young women makes them particularly susceptible to STIs. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that roughly 20% of the U.S. population—equivalent to approximately one out of every five individuals—had an STI on any given day. October 13 is National Herpes Awareness Day, an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the causes and treatment options for various types of herpes infections, particularly genital herpes. With the widespread availability of the internet, searches related to diseases and treatments have increased, including inquiries about STIs and their prevention. Young adults spend significant time browsing the internet and often search for information on STI treatment methods and preventive measures. Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent a vulnerable demographic when it comes to the spread of STIs. While anyone who engages in sexual activity can contract an STD, the sexually active LGBT population, including gay, bisexual, and MSM individuals, face a higher risk. In addition to experiencing higher rates of HSV infections, more than half of all new HIV infections occur among MSM. Multiple factors contribute to the elevated rates of STIs within the LGBT community.

Market Segmentation

The market is segmented based on various factors, including drug type, distribution channel, virus type, route of administration, and region.

Segmentation by Drug Type
Acyclovir
Valacyclovir
Famciclovir
Other Drugs

Segmentation by Distribution Channel
Retail Pharmacies
Hospital Pharmacies
Online Pharmacies

Segmentation by Virus Type
HSV-2
HSV-1

Segmentation by Route of Administration:
Oral
Topical
Injection

Segmentation by Geography
North America – US, Canada
Europe – Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain
APAC – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia
Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
Middle East & Africa – South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

The global genital herpes treatment market can be categorized based on drug type, distribution channel, virus type, route of administration, and geography.

Among the different drug types, the Acyclovir segment holds a significant share of approximately 50.44%. This is primarily due to its availability in all three major routes of administration. Acyclovir, offered under the brand name Zovirax by key player GSK, is the leading drug in the genital herpes treatment market. As the oldest drug in the antiviral category, there are numerous generic versions of Zovirax available in the market.

In terms of distribution channels, the retail pharmacies segment holds a substantial share of around 49.79%. This dominance can be attributed to the availability of both branded and generic versions of antiviral drugs for genital herpes treatment in retail pharmacies. Given the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted diseases, individuals with genital herpes often prefer to visit nearby retail pharmacies for their treatment needs.

Among the various virus types, the HSV-2 segment occupies a significant share of approximately 84.10%. HSV-2 is the leading cause of genital herpes, making this segment the largest. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, an estimated 491 million individuals aged 15-49 years were afflicted with HSV-2 infections worldwide in 2016. It is noteworthy that more women than men are infected with HSV-2.

Regarding routes of administration, the oral segment holds a major share of around 64.03%. Most anti-genital herpes drugs are available in oral formulations. Chronic suppressive doses of orally administered antivirals like Acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir have significantly reduced clinical recurrence rates and asymptomatic viral shedding. For example, daily administration of Acyclovir can reduce recurrence rates by up to 80%, and a portion of patients experience no further recurrences while using the medication.

Geographically, North America contributes the most revenue to the global genital herpes treatment market, accounting for over 40% of the share. Within North America, the United States plays a pivotal role in revenue generation due to increased demand for genital herpes drugs. This reflects the growing awareness of various antiviral drugs and their effectiveness against different sexually transmitted infections, including genital herpes. Europe follows as the second-largest regional market, experiencing steady growth driven by the acceptance of both branded and over-the-counter antiviral drugs for treating genital herpes. However, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to witness even faster growth compared to other regions. Roughly one in ten individuals in APAC are infected with HSV-2, the primary cause of genital herpes. Consequently, there is a high demand in the APAC region for off-label, generic, and over-the-counter drugs to treat genital herpes. The region boasts several regional and local vendors offering generic and over-the-counter antiviral drugs specifically used for this purpose.

Competitive Landscape

Key companies profiled in this report include GlaxoSmithKline, Glenmark pharmaceuticals, Viatris, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Bausch Health Companies, Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Pfizer, Eli Lilly & Company, Avet Pharmaceuticals, Aurobindo Pharma, Centurion Remedies, Abbott, Macleods Pharmaceuticals, FDC, Hetero, Zydus Group, Torrent Pharma, Finecure Pharmaceuticals, ADLEY FORMULATIONS, Medico Remedies, Zeelab Pharmacy.

Key Questions Answered

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

The global genital herpes treatment market was valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach around USD 2.9 billion by 2027.

WHAT IS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

The global genital herpes treatment market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.76%.

WHO ARE THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

Key players in the global genital herpes treatment market include GlaxoSmithKline, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Viatris, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Bausch Health Companies.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

The latest trends and opportunities in the global genital herpes treatment market include the increasing research and development efforts on genital herpes vaccine candidates and the growing popularity of purchasing genital herpes therapeutics through online pharmacies.

WHICH REGION DOMINATES THE GLOBAL GENITAL HERPES TREATMENT MARKET?

North America holds the largest share in the global genital herpes treatment market.