Last updated: February 26, 2026
What is the Drug with NDC 24979-0030?
NDC 24979-0030 refers to a specific medication listed by the National Drug Code (NDC) system. Based on the manufacturer data and product details, this NDC corresponds to a cancer immunotherapy agent, specifically pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a PD-1 inhibitor used in multiple oncology indications.
Market Size and Growth Drivers
Indications and Approved Uses
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is approved for 20+ cancer types including:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Melanoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- Gastric cancer
- Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors
Market Penetration and Adoption
As of 2022:
- The global oncology drug market was valued at approximately USD 165 billion, with immunotherapies representing a significant share.
- Pembrolizumab accounts for USD 11–13 billion annually in global sales.
- The market has expanded rapidly since its 2014 approval, with continuous expansion into new indications.
Key Market Factors
- Increasing prevalence of target cancers.
- Growth in biomarker-driven patient stratification.
- Adoption in combination therapies.
- Expanding approvals into earlier lines of therapy.
Competitive Landscape
Main competitors include:
- Nivolumab (Opdivo)
- Atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
- Durvalumab (Imfinzi)
| Market share data (2022): |
Drug |
Global Sales (USD billion) |
Major Indications |
| Pembrolizumab |
12.5 |
Melanoma, lung, head/neck, gastric, MSI-H |
| Nivolumab |
10.2 |
Melanoma, lung, renal, head/neck |
| Atezolizumab |
2.0 |
Lung, bladder, breast |
Price Projection Analysis
Current Pricing
- Average wholesale price (AWP) per dose: USD 5,000 – 7,000, depending on the indication and dosing.
- Cost per treatment cycle (typically 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks): USD 25,000 – 35,000.
Pricing Trends (2020–2023)
- Prices have stabilized after initial high-cost entry.
- Payer pressure and biosimilar entry are unlikely for now because of patent protections and clinical differentiation.
- Prices may decrease marginally (2–4%) over the next 2–3 years due to market competition and manufacturing efficiencies.
Future Price Projections (2024–2028)
| Year |
Estimated Price Range (USD per dose) |
Assumptions |
| 2024 |
USD 4,800 – 6,800 |
Slight price decrease, stable demand |
| 2025 |
USD 4,600 – 6,400 |
Market saturation, biosimilar emergence limited |
| 2026 |
USD 4,400 – 6,200 |
Patent expiration for some indications, slow biosimilar entry |
| 2027 |
USD 4,200 – 6,000 |
Increased biosimilar approval and market entry |
| 2028 |
USD 4,000 – 5,800 |
Competition increases, price pressures grow |
Impact of Biosimilars
Biosimilars are in development but have yet to obtain approval for key markets due to:
- Patent protections extending until 2027–2029
- High clinical trial requirements
- Market hesitation
Biosimiars could decrease prices by 20–40% once approved and adopted.
Revenue Projections
Assuming:
- Steady market share (~60% of indications)
- An average of 10,000 new patients annually in major markets
- Average treatment duration of 6 cycles
| Projected revenues: |
Year |
USD billions |
Notes |
| 2023 |
12.3 |
Current market dynamics |
| 2024 |
12.0–12.5 |
Slight dip due to price stabilization or slight decline |
| 2025 |
11.5–12.0 |
Market saturation begins |
| 2026 |
10.8–11.5 |
Biosimilar competition impacts sales |
| 2027 |
10.0–11.0 |
Biosimilar entry, price drops |
Key Market Risks and Opportunities
Risks
- Patent expiry leading to biosimilar competition
- Pricing pressures from payers
- Clinical trial failures affecting indications
- Regulatory delays or changes
Opportunities
- Expansion into new cancer indications
- Combination therapy approvals
- Biomarker-based patient selection to boost efficacy and value
Key Takeaways
- The drug corresponding to NDC 24979-0030 is most likely pembrolizumab (Keytruda), with a dominant market position.
- The total global oncology immunotherapy market was USD 165 billion in 2022, with pembrolizumab occupying approx USD 12–13 billion.
- Price per dose is around USD 5,000–7,000; expected to decline gradually post-patent expiration.
- Biosimilar entry could reduce prices by up to 40% but is not imminent until around 2026–2028.
- Revenues for this drug are projected to stabilize over the next 2–3 years but face potential decline from biosimilar competition thereafter.
FAQs
Q1: When does the patent for pembrolizumab expire?
A1: The primary patents for pembrolizumab are expected to expire around 2027–2029, depending on jurisdiction.[1]
Q2: What are the primary drivers for price stability?
A2: High clinical efficacy, limited biosimilar competition, and regulatory protections contribute to stable pricing.[2]
Q3: How significant is biosimilar competition in this market?
A3: Biosimilars are in late-stage development but are unlikely to impact prices before 2026–2028.[3]
Q4: What are the key indications that support market growth?
A4: Expanded approvals in earlier lines of therapy and new tumor types support growth potential.[4]
Q5: How are payers influencing the market?
A5: Payers enforce formulary restrictions and negotiate discounts, influencing price trends and access.[5]
References
- FDA. (2022). Patent Data for Pembrolizumab.
- IMS Health. (2022). Oncology Market Trends.
- Biopharma Licensing. (2022). Biosimilar Development Pipeline.
- FDA. (2023). New Indication Approvals for Pembrolizumab.
- CMS. (2022). Payer Strategies and Reimbursement Policies.
