Global Small Molecule Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) Growth Opportunities
Right Shoring and Targeted Therapeutics Create Future Growth
11-Jul-2023
North America
Market Research
PEA0-01-00-00-00
TEMP_2023_21
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CDMOs are third-party vendors that offer outsourced development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical drugs. In the small molecule manufacturing sector, CDMOs provide expert development and manufacturing services and are now an essential part of the pharmaceutical industry's value chain.
The growing incidence of chronic diseases propels the demand for innovative small-molecule medicines. The pharmaceutical industry’s focus on developing novel, more efficacious, and targeted therapies has resulted in increased product pipelines and the need for innovative drug delivery methods. Simultaneously, while small and mid-sized pharma companies are responsible for over 70% of drugs in the R&D pipeline, they often lack the expertise to bring their clinical pipeline to market.
Frost & Sullivan expects sustained growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for small molecules in oral solid formulations, targeted drug delivery technologies, potent and highly potent drugs, and other complex molecules. CDMOs equipped to provide technological leadership, flexibility, expertise for modular manufacturing, end-to-end capabilities and capacities, and innovative drug delivery technologies will likely emerge as the partner of choice. To drive growth, CDMOs will continue prioritizing innovation, collaboration, expansion, automation, and optimization across all aspects of the manufacturing process.
In this report, Frost & Sullivan overviews the global small-molecule CDMO market. The study period is 2021–2028, with 2022 as the base year and 2023–2028 as the forecast period. We segment the study into two main categories based on the product type: active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)/drug substance manufacturing and fixed dosage form (FDF)/drug product manufacturing. Frost & Sullivan segments API further into innovator and generic and FDF into oral, semisolid/liquid, and injectables.
Most importantly, the report highlights opportunities for participants of all sizes based on the evolving needs and innovations in the small-molecule CDMO market, the emergence of targeted therapeutics, highly potent APIs, and complex drugs.
Research Highlights
- Revenue forecasts by segment and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World)
- Market share of leading participants, consolidation and expansion initiatives, and developments in service offerings and business models
- Factors influencing CDMO selection
- CDMOs’ focus on sustainability and flexible manufacturing expertise
Author: Supriya Lala Kundu
Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Global Small Molecule CDMO Industry
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Scope of Analysis
Segmentation by Product Type
Segmentation by Service Type
Key Competitors
Growth Metrics
Growth Drivers
Growth Drivers (continued)
Growth Restraints
Forecast Framework: Market Sizing
Forecast Methodology
Forecast Assumptions
Revenue Forecast
Revenue Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast Analysis (continued)
Revenue Forecast by Region
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Region
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Region (continued)
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Region (continued)
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Region (continued)
Revenue Forecast by Product Type
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Product Type
Revenue Forecast Analysis by Product Type (continued)
Revenue Share Forecast by Service Type
Revenue Share Forecast Analysis by Service Type
Competitive Environment
Revenue Share
Revenue Share (continued)
Revenue Share Analysis
Comparison Between Small Molecules and Biologics Approvals
Small Molecule Market Outlook: Main Therapy Area and Dosage Form
Growing Pipeline and Product Innovation
Building Expertise in HPAPI Enabling Precision Medicine
Expanding the CDMO Value Chain: Transition to a CRDMO Model
Expanding the CDMO Value Chain: Comprehensive End-to-end Offering
Initiatives Supporting Transition to the CRDMO Model
Capability Evolution for Transitioning the Business Model from Project-based to Integrated Long-term
Factors Influencing CDMO Selection
Factors Influencing CDMO Selection: Analysis
ESG-focused Initiatives to Become a Partner-of-Choice
Consolidation Steps in the Small Molecule CDMO Industry
Expansion Initiatives to Capitalize on Scale and Broadening Portfolio
Summary of Growth Trends Shaping the Small Molecule CDMO Industry
Growth Metrics
Revenue Forecast
Revenue Forecast by Product Type
Forecast Analysis
Forecast Analysis (continued)
Forecast Analysis (continued)
Forecast Analysis (continued)
Growth Metrics
Revenue Forecast
Revenue Forecast by Product Type
Forecast Analysis: Oral
Forecast Analysis: Injectable
Forecast Analysis: Liquids/Semisolids
Forecast Analysis: Others
Growth Opportunity 1: BA Enhancement Solutions for OSD Formulation
Growth Opportunity 1: BA Enhancement Solutions for OSD Formulation (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing for Targeted Therapeutics
Growth Opportunity 2: Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing for Targeted Therapeutics (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Innovative and Connected Packaging Solutions for Serialization
Growth Opportunity 3: Innovative and Connected Packaging Solutions for Serialization (continued)
Growth Opportunity 4: Differentiated Capabilities for Injectable Specialty Generics
Growth Opportunity 4: Differentiated Capabilities for Injectable Specialty Generics (continued)
Your Next Steps
Why Frost, Why Now?
List of Exhibits
List of Exhibits (continued)
Legal Disclaimer
- Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Metrics, Global, 2022
- Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Drivers, Global, 2023-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Restraints, Global, 2023-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Forecast Methodology, Global, 2023-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2021-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share Forecast by Service Type, Global, 2022 and 2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share of Top Participants by Revenue Range, Global, 2022
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share of Top Participants, Global, 2022
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share by Therapeutic Area, Global, 2022
- Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share by Dosage Form, Global, 2022
- Small Molecule CDMO: Innovations, Global, 2022-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Targeted Therapeutics Innovations, Global, 2022-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Value Chain, Global, 2022-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Initiatives Supporting Transition to CRDMO, Global, 2022-2028
- Pharmaceutical CDMO: Factors Influencing CDMO Selection, Global, 2023
- Small Molecule CDMO: ESG Initiatives, Global, 2022-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Consolidation and Expansion Steps, Global, 2022-2028
- Small Molecule CDMO: Expansion Initiatives, Global, 2022-2028
- API: Growth Metrics, Global, 2022
- API: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028
- API: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028
- API: Manufacturers from Regions Benefiting from Changing Geo-sourcing Strategies, Global, 2023
- FDF: Key Growth Metrics, Global, 2022
- FDF: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028
- FDF: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028
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Research Highlights
- Revenue forecasts by segment and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World)
- Market share of leading participants, consolidation and expansion initiatives, and developments in service offerings and business models
- Factors influencing CDMO selection
- CDMOs’ focus on sustainability and flexible manufacturing expertise
Author: Supriya Lala Kundu
| Deliverable Type | Market Research |
|---|---|
| Author | Supriya Lala Kundu |
| Industries | Healthcare |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | CDMO Pharmaceutical |
| Keyword 2 | Contract Manufacturing Organization |
| Keyword 3 | Small Molecule CDMO |
| List of Charts and Figures | Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Metrics, Global, 2022~ Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Drivers, Global, 2023-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Growth Restraints, Global, 2023-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Forecast Methodology, Global, 2023-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2021-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share Forecast by Service Type, Global, 2022 and 2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share of Top Participants by Revenue Range, Global, 2022~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share of Top Participants, Global, 2022~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share by Therapeutic Area, Global, 2022~ Small Molecule CDMO: Revenue Share by Dosage Form, Global, 2022~ Small Molecule CDMO: Innovations, Global, 2022-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Targeted Therapeutics Innovations, Global, 2022-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Value Chain, Global, 2022-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Initiatives Supporting Transition to CRDMO, Global, 2022-2028~ Pharmaceutical CDMO: Factors Influencing CDMO Selection, Global, 2023~ Small Molecule CDMO: ESG Initiatives, Global, 2022-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Consolidation and Expansion Steps, Global, 2022-2028~ Small Molecule CDMO: Expansion Initiatives, Global, 2022-2028~ API: Growth Metrics, Global, 2022~ API: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028~ API: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028~ API: Manufacturers from Regions Benefiting from Changing Geo-sourcing Strategies, Global, 2023~ FDF: Key Growth Metrics, Global, 2022~ FDF: Revenue Forecast, Global, 2021-2028~ FDF: Revenue Forecast by Product Type, Global, 2021-2028~ |
| Podcast | No |
| WIP Number | PEA0-01-00-00-00 |