The Emphysema market, estimated to be valued at USD 5.36 Billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a steady CAGR of 4.0%, reaching USD 7.05 Billion by 2032. Growth is fueled by the rising prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increased exposure to air pollutants and tobacco smoke, and a growing aging population vulnerable to respiratory ailments. Technological advancements in diagnostic imaging, the development of minimally invasive lung volume reduction techniques, and the introduction of novel bronchodilator therapies are significantly enhancing disease management. Moreover, expanding public health initiatives, early screening programs, and increased R&D investments into regenerative and gene therapies are expected to bolster the market growth across key global markets.

Market Takeaways

• By Treatment, the Bronchodilators segment is projected to dominate the emphysema market with a 41.5% share in 2025, driven by their widespread use as first-line therapy for symptom relief and airflow improvement, especially long-acting formulations for maintenance treatment.
• By Distribution Channel, Hospital Pharmacies are expected to lead the market with a 55.3% share in 2025, owing to the high volume of prescriptions for acute exacerbations and the availability of advanced respiratory care in institutional settings.
• By Region, North America is anticipated to hold the largest market share in 2025, supported by a high burden of COPD, favorable reimbursement policies, access to advanced respiratory therapies, and significant investment in pulmonary drug development.

Emphysema Market Report Coverage

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Market Dynamics

The Emphysema market is experiencing steady growth, driven by the increasing global burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rising geriatric population, and heightened exposure to risk factors such as air pollution and tobacco smoke. Growing awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and lung health management is fostering greater demand for advanced therapeutic interventions, including long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen therapy.

Advancements in non-invasive imaging technologies, pulmonary function testing, and the development of targeted drug delivery systems are improving diagnostic precision and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, innovations in minimally invasive procedures—such as endobronchial valve placement and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction—are expanding treatment options for patients with severe emphysema unresponsive to conventional pharmacotherapy.

Healthcare providers are increasingly emphasizing integrated care approaches, which combine pharmacological treatments with pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation programs to improve long-term outcomes. Market players are also investing in novel drug development, including regenerative and gene therapies aimed at reversing alveolar damage and restoring lung function.

In November 2022, Pulmonx Corporation, a global leader in minimally invasive treatments for severe lung disease, announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) had approved Zephyr Endobronchial Valve for treating severe COPD/emphysema patients following a positive recommendation by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Zephyr Valve is a minimally invasive treatment option that can deliver significant benefits to patients, including improvements in lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life.

Market Trends

• AI-Driven Diagnostic Imaging Accelerating Early Detection of Emphysema

The integration of artificial intelligence into pulmonary imaging is emerging as a transformative advancement in emphysema diagnosis and management. In June 2025, Olympus launched its SeleCT AI screening platform, powered by 4DMedical, which automatically analyzes existing chest CT scans to identify candidates for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). The system flags patients with severe emphysema suitable for interventions such as the Spiration Valve System, alerting physicians and facilitating earlier treatment access. This AI-enabled approach is being increasingly adopted across healthcare systems in North America and Europe, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing delays, and enabling more personalized therapy planning. The trend reflects a broader shift toward precision diagnostics and minimally invasive respiratory care.

• Dual-Mechanism Inhaled Therapies Gaining Momentum in Emphysema Management

Dual-mechanism bronchodilators are gaining traction as an advanced treatment option for moderate-to-severe emphysema. The FDA approval of ensifentrine (Ohtuvayre) in June 2024 marked the entry of the first inhaled therapy that combines PDE3 and PDE4 inhibition, offering both bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical trials demonstrated that ensifentrine significantly improved lung function and reduced exacerbation rates, outperforming conventional monotherapy bronchodilators. With a favorable safety profile and convenient once-daily inhalation, this novel dual-action therapy is quickly becoming a preferred option among pulmonologists seeking to optimize outcomes in patients with persistent airflow limitation. The approval of Ohtuvayre signals a growing shift toward multi-functional inhaled therapies that target both symptom control and underlying inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases like emphysema.

Market Opportunities

• Tele-Rehabilitation and Digital Pulmonary Support Expanding Access to Emphysema Care

The emergence of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs and telehealth platforms is creating a significant opportunity to extend emphysema management beyond traditional clinical environments. Devices like PulmoBell, a sensor-based respiratory assistive tool, are being developed to support continuous breathing exercises and activity monitoring in COPD/emphysema patients from the comfort of their homes. This digital approach helps sustain pulmonary function improvements gained through in-person therapy and promotes long-term engagement.

As adoption grows across underserved and remote regions, these solutions are positioned to enhance patient adherence, reduce hospital readmissions, and alleviate the burden on overextended healthcare systems. The integration of tele-rehabilitation into routine care models represents a scalable and cost-effective strategy to improve disease outcomes across geographies.

• Smart Inhaler Technologies and IoT-Integrated Respiratory Devices Enhancing Treatment Precision

The growing adoption of IoT-enabled smart inhalers and connected respiratory monitoring systems presents a compelling opportunity to improve adherence and clinical outcomes in emphysema management. These advanced devices enable real-time tracking of medication usage, inhalation technique, and symptom patterns, empowering both patients and clinicians with actionable insights. Recent studies underscore the importance of incorporating robust cybersecurity frameworks and intuitive design to ensure user safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. By facilitating personalized treatment adjustments and early intervention, these digital health tools are laying the foundation for data-driven, remote emphysema care, particularly in tech-forward healthcare systems focused on proactive disease management.

In May 2025, a systematic review of qualitative studies published on JMIR Publications revealed that electronic inhaler monitoring devices (EIMDs), also known as smart inhalers, significantly improved medication adherence and inhalation technique in COPD and asthma patients. The findings emphasized that robust usability, patient acceptability, and integration of real-time feedback are key to maximizing clinical impact.

Analyst View

• The Emphysema market is transitioning into a more tech-enabled, patient-centric care model. While bronchodilators remain the cornerstone of treatment, emerging innovations such as AI-assisted imaging diagnostics and dual-mechanism inhaled therapies are reshaping therapeutic strategies. Ensifentrine’s FDA approval marks a major milestone, offering both bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory benefits, and validating the demand for multi-functional respiratory drugs. These advances are expected to drive market penetration, especially in moderate-to-severe emphysema patients who are unresponsive to monotherapy.
• The integration of digital technologies—such as IoT-connected smart inhalers and tele-rehabilitation platforms—reflects a broader industry shift toward remote monitoring and precision respiratory care. These tools not only enhance medication adherence and technique but also enable early intervention and real-time therapy optimization, especially in aging populations and underserved regions. The convergence of respiratory medicine and digital health is expected to accelerate, supported by favorable regulatory frameworks and rising healthcare digitization across high-burden markets.
• Minimally invasive treatment options like the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction are creating differentiated value for patients with advanced emphysema who have exhausted conventional therapy. These interventions are gaining global regulatory traction (e.g., Japan’s MHLW approval), reinforcing the trend toward non-surgical, device-assisted solutions with demonstrable quality-of-life improvements.
• Regenerative and gene therapy research is gathering momentum, positioning the market for long-term transformation. While still in early stages, the potential to restore alveolar structure and function could represent a paradigm shift in emphysema care. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the progress of preclinical and early-phase clinical trials, as investment into respiratory regeneration continues to rise.

Key Developments

• On July 25, 2025, AstraZeneca’s Trixeo Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate or BGF), already licensed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency, endorsing it for use in the European Union (EU) with an innovative, next-generation propellant with near-zero Global Warming Potential (GWP).
• In July, 2025, Merck, known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, and Verona Pharma plc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on respiratory diseases, announced that the companies had entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Verona Pharma for USD 107 per American Depository Share (ADS), each of which represents eight Verona Pharma ordinary shares, for a total transaction value of approximately USD 10 billion.

Competitive Landscape

• Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
• AstraZeneca plc
• GlaxoSmithKline plc
• Novartis International AG
• Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Mylan N.V.

Emphysema Market Segmentation

• By Treatment
• Bronchodilators
• Short-acting bronchodilators
• Long-acting bronchodilators
• Corticosteroids
• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Oral corticosteroids
• Antibiotics
• Vaccines
• Supplemental Oxygen Therapy
• By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

 Regional Insights

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Mexico
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Europe
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • France
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Japan
  • China
  • Australia
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East
  • GCC Countries
  • Israel
  • Rest of Middle East
• Africa
  • South Africa
  • North Africa
  • Central Africa