Medical Writing Market By Type (Clinical Writing, Regulatory Writing, and Other Types), By Application (Medical Journalism, and Other Applications), By End-User, By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

The Global Medical Writing Market size is expected to be worth around USD 9.4 Billion by 2032 from USD 3.6 Billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 10.4% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

The term, medical writing market typically refers to the industry that provides writing and communication services to different stakeholders in the healthcare sector like pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, medical device manufacturers, regulatory agencies, healthcare providers as well academic institutions.

Medical writing involves making a vast range of documents related to healthcare such as regulatory submissions, clinical trial reports, medical publications, patient education materials, and marketing communications. The medical writing market encompasses a variety of professionals, including medical writers, editors, scientific communicators, and regulatory affairs experts, who provide their services to clients in the healthcare industry.

The medical writing market is an essential component of the healthcare industry, as accurate and effective communication is critical to ensure patient safety, regulatory compliance, and successful product development and marketing. The market is expected to grow as the demand for new drugs and medical devices increases, and regulatory requirements become more stringent.

Key Takeaways

• The global medical writing market size is forecasted to be worth around USD 9.4 Billion by 2032.
• The medical writing market size in 2022 was USD 3.6 Billion.
• The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2022 to 2032.
• By type, the clinical writing segment held the largest market share in 2022.
• By application, the medical journalism segment had a 40.5% market share.
• In 2022, North America had a 38% market share in the global medical writing market.
• The medical writing market for clinical writing in 2022 had a revenue share of 41.4%.
• North America‘s market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% over the forecast period.

Driving Factors

The increasing complexity of regulatory requirements and the growth of clinical trials in the market.

The regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical and medical device products are becoming more complex, which necessitates the need for skilled medical writers who can navigate these requirements and help companies ensure compliance.

The number of clinical trials being conducted globally is growing, which requires a significant amount of documentation, including protocols, study reports, and informed consent forms. This has led to an increase in demand for medical writers who can develop these documents.

Expansion of the healthcare industry and focus on patient education.

The healthcare industry is growing globally, with more companies entering the market and developing the latest products. This has grown the demand for medical writing services for product development, regulatory compliance, and marketing communications.

The healthcare industry is increasingly focused on patient education as well medical writers play a critical role in developing patient education materials that are accurate, accessible, and easy to understand.

Restraining Factors

It can be difficult for small companies to afford medical writing services. The demand for medical writers can be limited in certain segments of healthcare. Medical writers may find it difficult to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing regulatory environment for healthcare products. It can create uncertainty for businesses and reduce demand for medical writing. Medical writing is a highly competitive market, with many providers offering similar services.

The competition can hinder the growth of companies, and limit the demand for medical writing. The deadlines for medical writing projects are often tight, which can be stressful for writers and limit the quality of their final products. If companies are unhappy with the quality of work or the timeliness, this can affect the demand for services.

Many companies outsource their medical writing to third-party service providers. This can create risks in terms of confidentiality, quality control, and intellectual property. It can reduce the demand for medical services if third-party providers are not able to meet the needs of the companies.

Type Analysis

The clinical writing fragment is the most lucrative in the type of medical writing market.

Based on type, the market for medical writing market is divided into clinical writing, regulatory writing, scientific writing, and other types. Among these types, the clinical writing segment is the most lucrative in the global medical writing market. The total revenue share of the clinical writing type is 41.4% in 2022 for the medical writing market.

Clinical writing type of medical writing involves making documents related to clinical research like clinical trial protocols, clinical study reports, and informed consent forms. Regulatory writing involves making documents that are submitted to regulatory agencies for approval like investigational new drug applications, new drug applications, and marketing authorization applications.

Application Analysis

The medical journalism segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the medical writing market.

Based on type, the market is segmented into medical journalism, medical education, medico marketing, and other applications. Among these, the medical journalism segment is estimated to be the most lucrative segment in the global medical writing market, with the largest revenue share of 40.5% in 2022, and it is expected to dominate the market in the forecasted period.

Owing to this segment includes the creation of news articles, features, and other forms of written content related to healthcare and medicine for publication in newspapers, magazines, online news portals as well other media outlets. Medico’s marketing segment includes creating promotional and advertising materials for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies like brochures, flyers, product catalogs, and other marketing collaterals.

End-User Analysis

Contract research organizations hold a significant share of the end-user segment in the medical writing market.

Based on end-users, the market is divided into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, and other end-users. CROs are companies that provide outsourced research services to pharmaceutical as well as biotechnology companies. These organizations often need medical writing services to support their clients’ research activities, such as the development of clinical trial protocols and study reports.

Other end-users include other organizations that require medical writing services like academic institutions, medical communication agencies, and government agencies. These organizations may require medical writing services for a variety of purposes, including scientific communications, regulatory compliance, and medical education.

Key Market Segments

Based on Type

• Clinical Writing
• Regulatory Writing
• Scientific Writing
• Other Types

Based on Application

• Medical Journalism
• Medical Education
• Medico Marketing
• Other Applications

Based on End-User

• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• Contract Research Organizations
• Other End-Users

Growing Opportunities

Growing demand for digital content, development of biosimilars and biologics, and increasing emphasis on real-world evidence.

The healthcare industry is increasingly focused on digital content like mobile applications, web-based platforms, and e-learning modules. Medical writers who can develop high-quality digital content are likely to see a raised demand for their services. The growth of biosimilars & biologics is creating new opportunities for medical writers who have expertise in these areas.

These products require specialized knowledge and expertise, which can be a valuable differentiator for medical writing companies. The healthcare industry is increasingly focused on real-world evidence, which requires new types of documentation & communication strategies. Medical writers who can develop innovative approaches to real-world evidence are likely to see increased requirements for their services.

Latest Trends

Increased focus on patient-centric communications and demand for scientific communicators in the market.

The healthcare industry is increasingly focused on patient-centric communications, which requires medical writers to develop content that is accessible, understandable, and engaging for patients. Medical writers are also playing a more significant role in developing patient education materials, which can help improve patient outcomes. Scientific communicators, who have a deep understanding of scientific concepts and can communicate complex information to a range of audiences, are in high demand in the healthcare industry.

As the demand for accurate and engaging scientific content grows, the demand for scientific communicators is likely to continue to increase. Many medical writing companies are using technology to improve the efficiency of their processes and workflows. For example, some companies are using AI-powered tools to automate certain tasks, such as formatting and reference checking, which can help reduce costs and improve turnaround times.

Regional Analysis

North America accounted for the largest revenue share in the global medical writing market in 2022.

North America is estimated to be the most lucrative market in the global medical writing market, with the largest market share of 38 %, and is expected to register a CAGR of 10.4 % during the forecast period. North America is the largest market for medical writing services, driven by a strong healthcare industry, a focus on regulatory compliance, and a high demand for clinical trials.

The US is a major market for medical writing services, with lots of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the country. The Asia Pacific region is a rapidly growing market for medical writing services, driven by a large & rapidly expanding healthcare industry, a growing demand for clinical trials, and a focus on digital innovation.

Key Regions

• North America
  • The US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Ireland
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Benelux
  • Nordic
  • Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
  • Russia
  • Poland
  • The Czech Republic
  • Greece
  • Rest of Eastern Europe
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Argentina
  • Costa Rica
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Algeria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Kuwait
  • Nigeria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

The medical writing market is highly competitive and fragmented, with a large number of companies operating in the space. For example, IQVIA is one of the largest companies in the medical writing market, with a market share of around 15%. The company provides a range of medical writing services, including clinical study reports, regulatory submissions as well publications.

Market Key Players

• Parexel International Corporation
• Trilogy Writing & Consulting GmBH
• Freyr
• Cactus Communications
• Labcorp Drug Development
• IQVIA Holdings Inc.
• Omics International
• Synchrogenix
• Siro Clinpharm Private Limited
• Quanticate International Limited
• Inclin Inc.
• Other Key Players

Recent Developments

• In September 2024: Investment in SYNLAB, Labcorp acquired a 15% indirect minority stake in SYNLAB, a leading medical diagnostics and specialty testing company in Europe, for approximately €140 million. This strategic investment positions Labcorp on the holding company board alongside other co-investors, enhancing its influence in European markets. SYNLAB, under Cinven’s ownership, has seen robust organic growth bolstered by technological enhancements in laboratory services and expansions in international markets like Latin America.
• In March 2024: Indegene, a life sciences commercialization company, acquired Trilogy Writing & Consulting GmbH. This acquisition aims to bolster Indegene’s capabilities in clinical and regulatory writing essential for global market authorization applications. The merger is part of Indegene’s strategy to enhance its service offerings with Trilogy’s established expertise in medical writing across various therapeutic areas.
• In March 2024: Freyr announced a strategic alliance with a Swiss-based food and beverage company. This partnership aims to leverage Freyr’s regulatory expertise to enhance compliance processes across the food and beverage industry, although specific financial details were not disclosed.
• In January 2023: Cactus Communications announced its acquisition of FlexSteel Technologies Holdings, Inc. for about $621 million upfront, with an additional potential earn-out of up to $75 million by mid-2024 based on revenue targets. FlexSteel, known for its spoolable pipe technologies, reported revenues of approximately $265 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2022. This acquisition aims to expand Cactus’ offerings and enhance its market reach.
• In July 2021: Parexel was acquired by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management from Pamplona Capital Management for $8.5 billion. This acquisition is significant for the clinical research organization as it aims to enhance its growth trajectory in the outsourced clinical research market, which is projected to grow by 8-9% annually. The partnership with these major financial players is set to support Parexel’s strategic initiatives, including advances in decentralized clinical trials and data management.

Report Scope