Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Treatment Market By Treatment Type (Corticosteroids, Surfactants, Diuretics, Bronchodilators, Pulmonary Vasodilators); By Route of Administration (Intravenous, Inhalation, Oral, Intratracheal); By End User (NICUs, Pediatric Hospitals, Outpatient Pediatric Clinics, Community Hospitals); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Treatment Market is projected to expand steadily between 2024 and 2030, supported by rising preterm birth rates and advances in neonatal intensive care. Based on inferred analysis, the market is valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach approximately USD 2.1 billion by 2030 , growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

 

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disease that primarily affects premature infants requiring oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. Treatment is complex, often involving a combination of pharmacological agents (corticosteroids, diuretics, surfactants, bronchodilators, and pulmonary vasodilators) along with non-pharmacological approaches like advanced respiratory support systems. BPD is not only a neonatal intensive care challenge but also a long-term health burden, with children often requiring respiratory follow-up into adolescence.

 

The market’s strategic relevance in 2024–2030 comes from three converging factors. First, global prematurity rates are climbing, especially in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, creating a larger at-risk infant population. Second, clinical guidelines are evolving — neonatologists are moving toward precision-based therapies, including biologics and regenerative medicine approaches, to reduce lung inflammation and promote healing. Third, government and payer investments in neonatal care are expanding, especially in middle-income countries where NICU infrastructure is rapidly being built.

 

Stakeholders in this market include pharmaceutical companies developing novel respiratory drugs, medical device firms supplying advanced ventilators and non-invasive respiratory support systems, hospitals and NICUs as the frontline adopters, and public health agencies shaping neonatal care funding. Investors are also circling this market, recognizing its steady demand cycle tied to demographic trends rather than lifestyle factors.

 

The bigger picture? BPD treatment sits at the intersection of neonatology, respiratory care, and regenerative medicine . As survival rates of extremely premature infants improve, the need for therapies that not only keep babies alive but also protect long-term lung function will become a defining growth driver over the next decade .

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) treatment market spans several critical dimensions, each reflecting how providers manage respiratory complications in preterm infants. Segmentation typically falls along treatment type, mode of administration, end-user setting, and geographic region — all of w hich influence therapy adoption, reimbursement, and clinical outcomes.

By Treatment Type

This is the primary lens through which the market is evaluated. BPD is multifactorial, and its treatment often involves combinations of:

• Corticosteroids
  Used to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone are common. However, use is cautiously balanced due to potential neurodevelopmental risks.

• Diuretics
  Help manage pulmonary edema and improve lung mechanics. Furosemide remains a staple, especially in infants requiring prolonged oxygen support.

• Bronchodilators
  Prescribed to alleviate airway constriction, though evidence of long-term benefit is mixed.

• Surfactants
  Increasingly used beyond the first hours of birth in extreme preemies to prevent collapse of alveoli and reduce severity of respiratory distress.

• Pulmonary Vasodilators
  In cases with associated pulmonary hypertension, agents like sildenafil are increasingly employed to improve oxygenation.

Corticosteroids dominate current market share — accounting for an estimated 34% of treatment usage in 2024 — but emerging biologics and targeted anti-inflammatory agents are likely to see faster growth over the next few years.

 

By Route of Administration

Different drugs require different delivery methods, especially in neonatal patients with fragile physiology:

• Intravenous (IV)
  Standard for most NICU drugs due to controlled dosing.

• Inhalation (Nebulized or MDI )
  Preferred for bronchodilators and some corticosteroids; minimizes systemic exposure.

• Oral
  Used selectively, particularly for longer-term steroid regimens or diuretics.

• Intratracheal
  Common for surfactant delivery, especially within the first 24 hours of birth.

Inhaled delivery methods are gaining traction due to better safety profiles in fragile neonates. Manufacturers are developing new aerosolized formulations specifically for this use case.

 

By End User

BPD treatment is highly concentrated in specialized care settings:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
  These are the primary consumers, managing both acute and chronic aspects of BPD. Adoption of new therapies is highest here.

• Pediatric Hospitals
  Manage long-term complications of BPD, including follow-ups and rehabilitation for lung function.

• Outpatient Pediatric Pulmonology Clinics
  Play a growing role in managing mild-to-moderate cases post-discharge, especially in developed regions.

NICUs account for over 65% of the treatment market in 2024, but pediatric outpatient settings are becoming a new focal point as early-intervention therapies move beyond the NICU.

 

By Region

Geographic adoption varies sharply based on healthcare infrastructure:

• North America
  Leads in terms of advanced NICU setups and regulatory approval for new BPD therapies.

• Europe
  Strong research focus, especially in biologics and pulmonary rehabilitation models.

• Asia Pacific
  Fastest growth, driven by high preterm birth rates and NICU expansion in India and Southeast Asia.

• Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA)
  Lower market penetration, but significant opportunities exist through global health initiatives and public-private NICU partnerships.

 

Scope Note:

This segmentation isn’t just clinical — it’s increasingly commercial. Biopharma companies are repositioning existing respiratory drugs for neonatal use, and delivery platform developers are engineering micro-dosed inhalers for infants. Meanwhile, regional NICU investment patterns are shaping how and where these therapies get adopted.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia treatment is no longer limited to tweaking ventilator settings and administering legacy drugs. Over the last few years, the space has been quietly but steadily transforming — driven by neonatal precision medicine, advanced drug formulations, and new respiratory care delivery models. What used to be reactive care is turning into proactive lung preservation.

Here are the key trends redefining this market.

Shift Toward Biologics and Anti-Inflammatory Precision Therapies

Traditional corticosteroids are effective but come with significant baggage — especially when used during brain development. That’s prompting the search for more targeted anti-inflammatory solutions. Research labs and biopharma firms are now exploring monoclonal antibodies and regenerative cytokine therapies that can calm lung inflammation without the systemic risks of steroids.

One such candidate in early-stage trials aims to inhibit IL-1, a key driver of neonatal lung injury. If proven safe, this could mark a major shift in standard of care.

 

Aerosolized Drug Delivery Is Getting Smarter

Inhaled medications like surfactants and bronchodilators are becoming more viable thanks to improvements in aerosol technology. Old nebulizers lacked precision for neonates — but new systems offer particle-size tuning, automated dose titration, and delivery synchronized with infant breathing cycles.

This opens the door to safely delivering drugs directly to the lungs, skipping the side effects of systemic administration. In 2024, at least three companies are piloting NICU-compatible aerosol drug platforms tailored for babies under 1,500 grams.

 

Interest in Stem Cell Therapies Is Back

It’s early days, but mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies are reentering the BPD conversation. Small trials have shown that intratracheal MSC infusions could reduce inflammation and promote lung regeneration in extremely low birth weight infants. The challenge remains scalability and regulatory clearance — but the pipeline is slowly rebuilding after a lull.

Experts believe that stem cell therapies may not replace steroids in the next 5 years, but could become adjunctive treatments for severe, non-responding BPD cases.

 

AI-Driven Ventilation Management Systems

On the device side, one of the quiet revolutions is happening inside the ventilator software. AI-enhanced systems now offer real-time lung compliance tracking, auto-adjusting pressure levels, and predictive weaning alerts — all designed to reduce lung trauma. These platforms are gaining popularity in NICUs with high patient loads and limited staffing.

One large U.S. academic center cut mechanical ventilation days by 22% after installing such a platform — which directly reduces BPD risk.

 

Clinical Trial Designs Are Getting More Neonate-Specific

Historically, many respiratory drugs were trialed in adults and adapted for infants. That’s changing. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA are encouraging age-specific clinical protocols , including ethical framewor ks for neonatal trials. As a result, more drugs are being developed from the ground up with neonates in mind — from molecule design to packaging.

 

Focus on Post-NICU Respiratory Management

Long-term care is gaining attention too. Pediatric pulmonologists are pushing for standardized follow-up care for BPD survivors — including home-based oxygen monitoring, early intervention for asthma-like symptoms, and digital respiratory coaching for parents. This is spawning a micro-market for remote respiratory monitoring devices tailored to infants.

Bottom line? Innovation in BPD treatment isn’t flashy — but it’s quietly disruptive. From inhaled biologics to lung regeneration trials, this space is finally moving beyond symptom control into long-term lung preservation.

As one pediatric pulmonologist put it, “We’re finally treating the lungs of a 600-gram baby like they matter just as much as any organ in an adult patient.”

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

Unlike broader respiratory markets dominated by mega-brands, the BPD treatment space is shaped by a focused group of specialty pharma firms, neonatal device innovators, and biotech developers —each com peting in a highly nuanced, low-volume but high-impact segment.

Let’s break down who’s moving the needle.

AbbVie

AbbVie has long been a major player thanks to Synagis ( palivizumab ) — a monoclonal antibody used to prevent RSV infections, which often worsen BPD in preemies. While Synagis isn’t a BPD treatment per se, its role in preventing respiratory complications makes AbbVie a key player. With the emergence of newer antibody products, AbbVie’s challenge will be maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving immunoprophylaxis space.

They’re also active in neonatal inflammation research, positioning themselves for future entry into more direct BPD therapies.

 

Chiesi Farmaceutici

This Italy-based company is deeply entrenched in neonatology, particularly with Curosurf , a widely used surfactant. Chiesi has doubled down on its inhaled drug delivery R&D , including nebulized surfactants and steroid-surfactant combination products for targeted BPD management.

Chiesi’s strategy is crystal clear: own the delivery format, not just the molecule. They’re also investing in heat-stable formulations, which could give them an edge in lower-resource settings.

 

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Mallinckrodt markets Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin ) , occasionally used off-label in neonatal lung conditions. While the product’s relevance in BPD is limited, the company is engaged in broader neonatal inflammation research and has signaled interest in expanding into precision steroid formulations — something that could find application in BPD treatment.

Given recent restructuring, Mallinckrodt’s future in this space hinges on pipeline execution and payer acceptance.

 

Bellerophon Therapeutics

Bellerophon is pioneering inhaled nitric oxide ( iNO ) delivery systems for neonatal pulmonary hypertension, which often coexists with severe BPD. Their INOpulse ® platform is designed for hospital and home use, offering more consistent pulmonary vasodilation than legacy systems.

If they secure broader neonatal approvals, Bellerophon could redefine long-term respiratory support for BPD survivors with chronic oxygen dependency.

 

Windtree Therapeutics

Focused on synthetic surfactant therapies , Windtree is positioning itself as an innovator in neonatal lung disease. Their lead candidate, KL4 surfactant , has been explored for respiratory distress and could potentially be adapted for BPD treatment protocols—especially as part of a combination regimen with anti-inflammatory agents .

Their commercial footprint is still small, but R&D alignment with current NICU needs gives them an outsized strategic profile.

 

Vyaire Medical (Now Acquired by Medline)

Though not a drugmaker , Vyaire was a major name in neonatal respiratory support systems — especially non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and smart CPAP devices. Post-acquisition, Medline is expected to expand its neonatal product suite, possibly integrating AI-powered respiratory platforms that optimize lung-protective ventilation in preemies.

Device integration is increasingly seen as part of the BPD care continuum, not just a support mechanism.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

BPD treatment adoption varies dramatically by region — shaped not just by healthcare budgets, but also by clinical practice norms, NICU maturity, and even cultural attitudes toward aggressive neonatal care. While the burden of preterm births is rising globally, the tools to treat BPD remain unequally distributed. Let’s break it down.

North America

Still the most advanced market for BPD treatment, North America benefits from a combination of high NICU capacity, robust insurance coverage , and early regulatory approvals for novel therapies. The U.S. leads in integrating multi-drug protocols , combining corticosteroids with diuretics, pulmonary vasodilators, and increasingly, precision-dosed surfactants.

Top academic centers like CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) and Texas Children’s Hospital are piloting new AI-supported ventilation systems and enrolling preterm infants in biologic trials. There’s also growing demand for home-based respiratory monitoring tools for BPD survivors discharged on oxygen or ventilation support.

The region’s biggest barrier isn’t access — it’s cost control. Providers are under pressure to reduce ICU stays without compromising care quality, fueling interest in early-intervention drugs and decision-support tech.

 

Europe

Western Europe closely mirrors the U.S. in terms of clinical sophistication, especially in countries like Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands . Universal healthcare models here make BPD care more consistent, and governments tend to reimburse combination treatment protocols more readily than in private-payer systems.

Notably, Europe is leading in clinical research on regenerative BPD therapies , particularly through multinational studies funded by EU Horizon and Erasmus+ grants. Several hospitals in Sweden and Italy are trialing stem cell-based interventions for chronic neonatal lung damage.

Eastern Europe is catching up but still faces issues with NICU infrastructure and access to advanced respiratory drugs. Some hospitals still rely on older steroid regimens and may lack access to inhaled surfactants or nitric oxide platforms.

 

Asia Pacific

This is the fastest-growing region by far — but also the most variable.

• China and India together account for a significant portion of global preterm births, and both are rapidly expanding NICU capacity. Chinese health authorities are rolling out tiered neonatal care policies, encouraging BPD treatment standardization at tertiary centers.

• In India , private hospitals are ahead in adopting new BPD treatments — especially in metro areas — while government NICUs still focus on basic respiratory support.

• Japan and South Korea are notable outliers, investing heavily in next-gen respiratory tech , including automated oxygen blending systems and long-term pulmonary rehab programs for infants born under 28 weeks.

That said, rural and secondary hospitals across Asia remain under-equipped. This gap has triggered demand for lower-cost, stable formulations of surfactants and steroids that don’t require cold-chain storage.

 

Latin America

Adoption in this region is highly concentrated in a few urban centers. Brazil and Mexico lead the way, with national health programs supporting surfactant therapy and mechanical ventilation for preterm infants.

But there’s a long tail of under-resourced hospitals in both countries and throughout the region, where BPD treatment often begins with oxygen and corticosteroids — and ends there. Pediatric specialists are pushing for broader adoption of inhaled therapies and point-of-care surfactant delivery , especially in neonatal transport units.

International aid partnerships and NGO involvement (like from PAHO and UNICEF ) are helping distribute basic neonatal care bundles, but coverage remains spotty.

 

Middle East and Africa

• Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in world-class neonatal hospitals. These are importing U.S. and European best practices in BPD management — including nitric oxide systems and newer surfactant products.

• In Sub-Saharan Africa , however, BPD treatment is mostly aspirational. Premature infants often lack access to basic ventilation, let alone surfactant or advanced pharmacological care. That said, mobile NICU units and donor-funded clinics are emerging in countries like Kenya and Nigeria.

One promising trend: the rise of “NICU-in-a-box” kits — bundled solutions that include low-cost CPAP devices, heat-stable surfactants, and dosing protocols for steroids.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

When it comes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the end users aren’t simply customers — they’re care teams operating at the most sensitive edge of modern medicine. BPD treatment is delivered in high-acuity environments where every therapy, device, and clinical decision is scrutinized. As such, the adoption patterns across end-user segments are shaped by a blend of clinical capability, resource availability, and risk tolerance .

Let’s break down how different providers interact with BPD treatment options — and where unmet needs are most acute.

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)

NICUs are the front line for BPD treatment. These units manage preterm infants from the moment of birth through their most vulnerable respiratory phases. Most therapies — corticosteroids, surfactants, vasodilators — are initiated here.

High-level NICUs (especially Level III/IV centers) are:

• Running combination therapy protocols

• Incorporating AI-supported ventilation to reduce lung damage

• Participating in clinical trials for new BPD therapies (e.g., MSCs or aerosolized biologics)

NICU teams tend to be conservative with novel agents but are highly receptive to innovations that reduce oxygen dependency and ventilation days. That said, resource-strapped NICUs in developing markets focus more on drug stability, dosing simplicity, and affordability.

 

Children’s Hospitals

Pediatric hospitals often manage the post-discharge trajectory of BPD patients. These facilities handle:

• Ongoing oxygen therapy

• Respiratory infections and rehospitalizations

• Early pulmonary rehab

• Feeding and developmental challenges linked to chronic lung disease

They also act as referral centers for advanced therapies — including nitric oxide, complex weaning protocols, or investigational biologics. This is where long-term care plans are shaped — making children’s hospitals crucial for continuity in BPD management.

 

Outpatient Pediatric Pulmonology Clinics

This end-user group is growing in importance as more BPD survivors live longer and require structured outpatient care. Clinics monitor:

• Lung function trajectory

• Need for bronchodilators or diuretics

• Transition off oxygen support

• Medication adherence and side effects

The challenge here is data integration . Many clinics still rely on disconnected EMRs, making longitudinal monitoring tricky. Vendors that can offer integrated drug-device solutions — for instance, smart nebulizers with dosing analytics — will gain traction here.

 

Community Hospitals and Secondary NICUs

These providers play a supporting role. They often handle:

• Mild BPD cases

• Short-term ventilation

• Transfer preparation for tertiary NICUs

Therapy options are limited by infrastructure. Many still depend on legacy steroid protocols and basic respiratory equipment. But there’s growing demand for ready-to-use surfactant kits and simplified steroid dosing regimens — especially those that don’t require refrigeration or intensive monitoring.

 

Use Case: Smart BPD Management in a Mid-Tier NICU

A regional NICU in South Korea saw rising cases of moderate BPD among infants born under 30 weeks gestation. Many required prolonged oxygen therapy, and staff were struggling with inconsistent weaning outcomes. In 2023, the hospital implemented an AI-guided ventilator system paired with a structured drug protocol (inhaled corticosteroids + sildenafil for select cases). They also trained nursing staff on early physiotherapy and nutritional optimization.

Within 9 months, the average duration of mechanical ventilation dropped by 18%, and oxygen dependency at discharge fell by 22%. Families also reported fewer ER visits post-discharge. Based on this success, the NICU is now participating in a clinical trial evaluating inhaled biologics in BPD management.

 

Bottom line : The future of BPD treatment depends less on blockbuster drugs and more on context-aware platforms that flex across care environments. NICUs want smart tools. Pediatric hospitals need continuity plans. Outpatient clinics want simplicity and data. The suppliers who understand these nuances — and design accordingly — will lead the next phase of this market.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Chiesi’s Expansion into Inhaled Steroid-Surfactant Combinations (2024 )
  Chiesi Farmaceutici announced early clinical data from a trial involving a co-formulated inhaled corticosteroid with surfactant . The therapy, administered via a precision aerosol system, showed promising results in reducing BPD severity scores in extremely preterm infants. The innovation lies in the dual-delivery mechanism — potentially allowing lung-targeted anti-inflammatory treatment from day one.

• Launch of AI-Enabled Ventilator Platform for Preemies by Medline (2023)
  Following its acquisition of Vyaire Medical, Medline introduced a new neonatal ventilator system with AI-powered compliance tracking . The system is designed to auto-adjust based on lung resistance data, minimizing trauma risk. Pilot NICUs reported better oxygenation control and shorter ventilation durations — key metrics in BPD prevention.

• FDA Fast Track for Mesoblast’s MSC Therapy (2024)
  Australian biotech firm Mesoblast secured Fast Track designation from the FDA for its mesenchymal stem cell therapy targeting severe BPD. Phase II trials are underway in U.S. NICUs, and early results suggest the therapy may reduce oxygen dependence at 36 weeks postmenstrual age — the current clinical marker for moderate/severe BPD.

• Japan Approves Portable Nitric Oxide System for Neonates (2023)
  Bellerophon’s INOpulse platform, designed for non-invasive pulmonary vasodilation , received regulatory clearance in Japan. Hospitals are using it for infants with pulmonary hypertension linked to BPD, allowing a smoother transition from intensive care to step-down units or home settings.

• WHO Adds Heat-Stable Surfactant to Neonatal Essential Medicines List (2024)
  In a move aimed at low-resource settings, the World Health Organization endorsed a heat-stable synthetic surfactant for neonatal respiratory distress — a development with direct implications for early-stage BPD prevention in emerging markets.

 

Opportunities

• Personalized Neonatal Lung Therapies
  The growing availability of lung imaging biomarkers and AI-driven ventilation analytics makes it possible to personalize drug and device strategies for preterm infants. This could shift BPD treatment from reactive to predictive — optimizing outcomes while minimizing side effects.

• Expansion in Underserved NICU Regions
  Many NICUs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are still using outdated protocols. The demand is rising for affordable, easy-to-administer BPD therapies — including room-temp surfactants, auto-dosed steroids, and mobile respiratory support. This creates white space for pharma and device companies offering frugal innovation.

• Device + Drug Integration Platforms
  There’s growing clinical interest in drug-device bundles — such as surfactant delivery via micro-aerosol, or corticosteroids embedded in smart nebulizer platforms. Players that offer integrated, protocol-ready solutions will be attractive to overstretched NICU teams.

 

Restraints

• Regulatory Complexity in Neonatal Trials
  Despite regulatory push, neonatal drug trials still face ethical, logistical, and statistical barriers . Recruiting preterm infants and standardizing outcomes across NICUs remains tough. This slows market entry for promising therapies.

• High Cost of Advanced Therapies
  Stem cell therapies, AI ventilators, and nitric oxide systems all bring value — but also significant cost burdens . In many hospitals, even in developed regions, budgets still prioritize basic NICU needs over experimental or cutting-edge BPD interventions.
   

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 1.2 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 2.1 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 8.4% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Treatment Type, Route of Administration, End User, Geography
By Treatment Type	Corticosteroids, Surfactants, Diuretics, Bronchodilators, Pulmonary Vasodilators
By Route of Administration	Intravenous (IV), Inhalation, Oral, Intratracheal
By End User	NICUs, Pediatric Hospitals, Outpatient Pediatric Clinics, Community Hospitals
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., China, India, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia
Market Drivers	Rising preterm birth rates globally Clinical shift toward targeted, lung-sparing therapies Growing NICU infrastructure in emerging markets
Customization Option	Available upon request