The global hydrogel-based drug delivery system market size was valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach around USD 11.5 billion in 2030 exhibiting a CAGR of 8.5% in the forecasted period. The extensive use in drug delivery applications, remarkable physical properties, increasing shares of R&D-associated drug delivery systems are expected to upsurge the market growth. However, compatibility problem with a small category of medicines, extreme rate of hydrogel, and low-down mechanical power are the factors are anticipated to hinder the growth of the market in the forecasted period.

Rising investment and financing by prominent pharma companies in R&D activities in exploration of a new drug, delivery systems, and diagnostic is one of the significant factors estimated to drive the market for hydrogel-based drug delivery systems in upcoming years. The productivity of a pharma company is dependent on its capability to grow effective formulations. The pharma industry is extremely fragmented and competitive thereby substantial investments are made into R&D to endure in the market. Almost 15-20% of the yearly revenue of pharma companies is financed in R&D activities. Hydrogel has been a favourable drug delivery system due to its exceptional physical properties. The growing R&D activities associated with drug delivery systems are expected to drive the market.

The positive results of clinical trials associated with hydrogel-based drug delivery systems are boosting pharma companies to finance in this targeted therapy. As per the NBCI report printed in 2019, the hydrogel was used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in around 223 clinical trials eliminating the contact lens trials. Out of the 223 clinical trials, hydrogel coil was used in 8 clinical trials, the bulk hydrogel was used in 166 clinical trials, and patch hydrogel was used in 99 clinical trials. The high price of hydrogels, little mechanical strength, and compatibility problems with some drugs are the factors expected to hinder its market growth in the long run.

The World Health Organization stated COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As per the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Weekly Epidemiological Update by the World Health Organization, above 409 million cases and 5.8 million deaths because of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were informed up till 13th, February 2022 worldwide. The Covid-19 pandemic made the necessity for understanding biocompatible polymers as backing material for organized drug delivery specifically for organohydrogels. Numerous studies are showed for characterization of novel organohydrogel as a natural drug carrier or release material. For instance, in January 2021, investigators synthesized numerous new polymeric materials such as organohydrogels, hydrogels, and gels for examining their use as drug release systems. The study determined that organohydrogels can be used as drug carrier and precise drug release materials. Henceforth, the great R&D activities in the pandemic for understanding the possible use of hydrogels in drug delivery is positively impacting the market growth during the forecasted period.

Polymer Origin Insights
The natural segment led the market for hydrogel-based drug delivery systems and accounted for the largest revenue share of around 32% in 2021. Proteins such as lysosome, gelatin, and collagen; and polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid, chitosan, and alginate are used in the manufacturing of natural hydrogels. They have worthy cell adhesion properties but owing to their mechanical and stability issues lately are less favored in formulating drug delivery systems.

Hydrogel-based drug delivery systems are made of synthetic polymer and are attaining more approval than naturally derived polymer due to their higher drug absorbing capacity, better mechanical properties, improved lifetime, and manageable degradation features. Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) starch, Poly (acrylic acid), and Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) are the extensively used synthetic polymer in drug delivery applications.
Natural and synthetic hydrogels are joined to prepare hybrid hydrogels. The process of hybrid polymerization is used in the developing an innovative version titled SMART hydrogel. SMART hydrogels are stimuli-responsive and are diverse from conventional hydrogels as the drug discharge is reliant on physical or chemical stimuli. The physical stimuli contain temperature, magnetic, pressure, and electric field allowing targeted drug delivery using hydrogels. For example, a PH sensitive was made by combing polyacrylic acid with natural polymers.

Delivery Route Insights
On the basis of Route, the market is segmented into subcutaneous, ocular, oral cavity, topical, and others. In 2021, the ocular segment ruled the market for hydrogel-based drug delivery systems. Hydrogels are usually utilized in ocular drug delivery applications as most of the hard and contact lenses are made from hydrogel films. So, it is easy to include healing drugs into contact lenses. Moreover, there are numerous ongoing medical trials specific to hydrogel contact lens-based drug transport systems, which is boosting the market. For instance, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary are performing a clinical trial to analyse the distribution of dexamethasone drug over the hydrogel contact lens.

The subcutaneous drug delivery segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR in the market for hydrogel-based drug delivery systems over the forecasted period. Hydrogel being biodegradable material they are widely used in the preparation of subcutaneous drug delivery systems. The implantations degrade naturally inside the body so the need for its surgical elimination is removed. Many subcutaneous hydrogel implants are lately established to achieve controlled release of anticancer drugs. For instance, a subcutaneous hydrogel implant was made by cross-linking anticancer drug cytarabine with Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel. However, Supprelin developed by Endo pharmaceutical is a clinically accepted hydrogel-based subcutaneous implant that allows the controlled release of histrelin acetate.

Region Insights
North America holds the maximum revenue share of 46% in 2021. The existence of effective reimbursement that includes the price of modern therapies, the presence of hydrogel providers, and numerous product launches are the major factors projected to donate to market growth in the region. For instance, in Dec 2020, Dare Bioscience announced positive results from clinical trials directed to permit the delivery of drugs (clindamycin phosphate 2%) using bio adhesive hydrogel in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. More than 20 million people suffer bacterial vaginosis in the U.S.
In Asia Pacific, the market for hydrogel-based drug delivery systems is projected to experience the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. The existence of a large target population, enhancing permit to healthcare, increasing demand for better medical care in numerous therapeutic areas, and growing demand to reduce healthcare costs are the factors predicted to drive the market growth over the forecast period. India, China, and South Korea are some of the noticeable markets showing beneficial growth rates in this region.

Key Companies Insights
The market for hydrogel-based drug delivery system is moderately competitive. With the rising applications of hydrogel-based drug delivery system, new players are considering to enter the market. The companies are also involved in activities like joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations. These activities aid in growing the effect of the players in the hydrogel-based drug delivery system market, ultimately boosting the market growth. Some of the key companies working in the global hydrogel-based drug delivery system market include:
• GALDERMA
• Blairex Laboratories, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Bausch and Lomb
• Medtronic
• Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
• Ferring B.V.
• Endo International plc
• Akorn, Incorporated
• Tolmar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Other players

Some of the Recent Developments:
• In January 2020, Ferring B.V. received permission to commercialize their hydrogel-based drug delivery device directed for cervical ripening from the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) Japan.
• In 2018, Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. developed a hydrogel ocular implant that provides tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a precise manner. The product had come in the phase 1 clinical trial.

Segments
By Polymer Origin
• Natural
• Synthetic
• Hybrid

By Delivery Route
• Subcutaneous
• Ocular
• Oral Cavity
• Topical
• Others