GVR Report cover Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Size, Share & Trends Report

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Workflow, By Drug (Small Molecules, Large Molecules), By Service (Chemistry Services, Biology Services), By Therapeutics Area, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2033

  • Report ID: GVR-2-68038-392-8
  • Number of Report Pages: 120
  • Format: PDF
  • Historical Range: 2021 - 2024
  • Forecast Period: 2025 - 2033 
  • Industry: Healthcare

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Summary

The global drug discovery outsourcing market size was estimated at USD 7.44 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.11 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.83% from 2025 to 2033. The drug discovery outsourcing industry is driven by various factors such as increasing complexity of diseases, rising demand for novel modalities such as biologics and gene therapies, and the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and high-throughput screening.

Key Market Trends & Insights

  • North America drug discovery outsourcing market held the largest share of 41.16% of the global market in 2024.
  • The drug discovery outsourcing in the U.S. is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.
  • Based on workflow, the lead identification and candidate optimization segment held the highest market share, 32.19%, in 2024.
  • By drug, the small molecules segment held the highest market share in 2024.
  • Based on service, the chemistry services segment held the highest market share in 2024.

Market Size & Forecast

  • 2024 Market Size: USD 7.44 Billion
  • 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 17.11 Billion
  • CAGR (2025-2033): 9.83%
  • North America: Largest market in 2024
  • Asia Pacific:Fastest-growing market


The market rapidly expands as pharmaceutical companies seek to improve innovation efficiency and reduce time-to-market. Moreover, most emerging biopharma companies rely on outsourcing services due to the growing number of clinical trials and increasing drug discovery, which is expected to drive the demand for outsourcing services. In addition, the number of market players serves as an extension of the drug development team, providing expertise & guidance on the design and conduct of drug trials. The pharmaceutical industry has experienced significant transformations, including the expiration of patents, a trend toward biologics, and unprecedented downsizing of internal discovery of big pharmaceuticals, which is expected to drive the market growth. In addition, outsourcing has emerged as a crucial strategy, as several companies aim to reduce inefficiencies associated with traditional drug discovery methods. Thus, most pharmaceutical companies seek to utilize technologies they are unable to rationalize in-house.

Drug discovery outsourcing market size and growth forecast (2023-2033)

Moreover, drug discovery is emerging at a rapid pace with a rising global R&D pipeline and growing service expansions. For instance, around 75.0% to 80.0% of research and development spending in the biopharmaceutical industry can be outsourced, further propelling new growth opportunities for CROs, which is expected to boost market growth. Pharmaceutical companies are partnering with manufacturing facilities in developing countries, backed by skilled workforces, low costs, and quality data. Cost-cutting, innovation, gaining access to knowledge and technology, and increasing speed and agility are significant factors encouraging pharma companies to expand the level of outsourcing.

Furthermore, the market competition is driven by high quality and strict compliance with regulations worldwide, international scientific excellence, especially in the most demanded research areas, speed, and unbeatable timelines for delivery, and complex, competitive prices. In addition, companies are increasingly collaborating and leveraging expertise, which is expected to drive the drug discovery outsourcing industry. Organizations are undertaking and extending strategic partnerships with many academic institutions, venture capitalists for funding, and other public or private companies to exploit patented technology, molecules, and more. Rising partnerships among public and private entities accelerate drug discovery processes, increasing the global demand for outsourcing.

In addition, growing competition among market key players, leading to the emergence of various new startups across the hotspot countries, such as the U.S., India, China, South Korea, Singapore, & other Southeast Asian countries. For instance, in July 2023, Teijin Limited & Axcelead, Inc. announced a drug discovery research joint venture company in 2024. It will investigate & identify candidate compounds for upcoming drugs and further support the drug discovery research. This is expected to grow its drug discovery services globally by leveraging companies' strengths in knowledge, technology, & assets.

Opportunity Analysis

The global market is expected to witness rising growth over the estimated time, fueled by the increasing complexity of therapeutic targets, rising research and development costs, and a growing pipeline of biotech companies with limited internal resources. With over 70% of new drug candidates arising from small to mid-sized biotech firms, outsourcing has become crucial for expediting timelines and accessing specialized expertise in areas such as medicinal chemistry, biology, AI-driven screening, and innovative modalities like mRNA and cell and gene therapies. In addition, significant opportunities such as integrated drug discovery collaborations, where CROs provide comprehensive services that span from target validation to IND-enabling studies, are anticipated to support the market. The rising adoption of platform technologies and data-driven approaches in drug design also presents prospects for CROs specializing in computational chemistry and machine learning. Besides, geopolitical changes and tariff issues are prompting a shift away from China, leading to emerging regional opportunities in India, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, CROs that can provide flexible pricing structures, efficient collaboration platforms, and expertise in high-value therapeutic areas such as oncology and rare diseases are expected to witness new growth opportunities during the forecast period. As pharmaceutical companies strive for quicker and less risky innovation, drug discovery outsourcing will increasingly serve as a strategic tool for pipeline advancement. Such factors are expected to drive the market growth over the estimated time period.

Technological Advancements

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market:Technological Trends

Technological advancements are evolving the market, with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation, and integrated platforms enhancing both efficiency and innovation. AI and ML applications in drug discovery expedite early-stage development through predictive modeling, virtual screening, and the prioritization of targets. Besides, outsourcing companies are utilizing these advancements to lower attrition rates and improve success in hit-to-lead transitions. Automation in high-throughput screening (HTS) significantly increases productivity, allowing contract research organizations (CROs) to quickly evaluate thousands of compounds using robotic systems and miniaturized assays, which is essential for phenotypic and functional genomics research. In addition, computational chemistry and in silico modeling facilitate virtual compound design, structure-activity relationship (SAR) assessment, and binding affinity predictions, thereby reducing synthesis cycles and optimizing resource allocation.

Moreover, combining omics spanning genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics enables CROs to delineate disease pathways, discover new targets, and classify patient populations, especially in fields like oncology and rare diseases. Such multi-omics insights support more accurate and personalized approaches to drug discovery. Furthermore, cloud-based collaboration and data management platforms are transforming global outsourcing partnerships by allowing real-time data sharing and workflows and ensuring compliance traceability, which enhances transparency and speed among distributed teams. Such factors are expected to drive the market over the estimated time period.

Pricing Model Analysis

The drug discovery outsourcing industry utilizes various pricing models for project complexity, risk-sharing arrangements, and client needs. Among the pricing models, milestone-based pricing is prevalent, particularly in integrated or multi-phase projects, where payments are contingent upon achieving specific deliverables, such as hit identification or lead optimization. This pricing model aligns incentives and mitigates upfront risk for clients with milestone payments typically ranging from USD 100,000 to USD 2 million, depending on the project's scope. Moreover, the value-based pricing model is widely used in high-impact therapeutic areas or with AI-enhanced platforms, where compensation is correlated to downstream results or the value of intellectual property (IP). However, valuation challenges limit its adoption (around 5–10%).

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market:Pricing Model Analysis

The fixed-fee model remains a popular option for discrete services like compound synthesis or assay development, providing budget predictability; pricing for these services can vary between USD 20,000 and USD 300,000 per module. Moreover, subscription or retainer models are used in long-term discovery partnerships or by platform-focused CROs, allowing monthly access to discovery resources and expertise. This pricing model is priced between USD 25,000 and USD 100,000 per month. Thus, these pricing models demonstrate increasing flexibility and strategic collaboration within outsourced discovery efforts.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The drug discovery outsourcing industry growth stage is moderate, and growth is accelerating. The market is characterized by the degree of innovation, level of M&A activities, regulatory impact, service expansion, and regional expansion.

The market is witnessing significant innovation owing to the rising use of AI and machine learning for target identification, virtual screening, and predictive modeling. CROs are incorporating automation, cloud technologies, and multi-omics approaches to boost both accuracy and efficiency. In addition, advancements in biologics discovery are prominent, particularly with mRNA, CRISPR technology, and protein degradation platforms. Many CROs are transforming into technology-driven discovery partners, providing flexible and integrated discovery solutions aimed at minimizing costs and accelerating early development timelines.

Drug Discovery Outsourcin Industry Dynamics

Regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in shaping outsourcing practices, particularly as expectations for data integrity, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance, and biosafety in discovery research continue to evolve. Global harmonization initiatives, such as the ICH guidelines, improve the competitiveness of Contract Research Organizations (CROs) across international borders. Besides, increased regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. FDA and EMA regarding biologics and AI-derived candidates elevates compliance standards. In addition, export control measures, data localization regulations, and trade tariffs influence service sourcing choices, encouraging clients to seek regions with clear regulations, robust intellectual property protection, and reliable compliance processes.

M&A in the drug discovery outsourcing sector is moderate but strategically focused, with CROs targeting niche companies to gain access to AI technologies, biologics capabilities, or specific regional markets. Significant transactions often involve larger integrated discovery companies acquiring smaller firms specializing in chemistry or bioinformatics, allowing them to provide comprehensive services and enhance their expertise in specific therapies or modalities.

CROs are broadening their service portfolios to encompass AI-driven hit discovery, high-throughput biology, and comprehensive chemistry-to-IND workflows. Many of these organizations are also venturing into innovative modalities such as PROTACs and RNA therapeutics. Additionally, there is a notable increase in investments in translational sciences, biomarker discovery, and early toxicology, enabling CROs to provide enhanced value throughout the entire discovery process.

In the global market, CROs are geographically expanding beyond their traditional hubs. Investments in discovery chemistry and computational platforms are increasing in India and Eastern Europe, while Southeast Asia is becoming a key player for cost-effective biology services. In the U.S. and EU, the focus of expansion is on high-value discovery efforts, ensuring proximity to biotech clusters and regulatory compliance. Although China remains a significant market, it is encountering challenges from tariffs and geopolitical scrutiny, which is prompting CROs to adopt multi-region delivery strategies.

Workflow Insights

In 2024, the lead identification and candidate optimization segment held the largest revenue share in the market based on the workflow segment. This drug development workflow involves the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and structure-based optimization of generated lead compounds. Besides, these techniques involve many in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches that have been thoroughly tested and proven reliable.

Furthermore, the rising need for skilled resources combined with knowledge of computer software, along with the high cost associated with integrating the latest computational technology, is enabling a higher outsourcing for lead identification services. Besides, the knowledge of metabolism and analytical chemistry plays an important role in generating the need for these services. In addition, introducing advanced in silico techniques to improve the lead identification process, i.e., computer-aided drug discovery & structure-based drug designs, supports the segmental growth. For instance, the most frequently used lead optimization methods include MS & NMR methods. The iterative process of lead identification is a significant stage in early drug discovery. It has historically proven to have improved efficiencies and economies of scale for drug developers. In addition, the success of lead optimization in drug discovery & safety requires knowledgeable & collaborative scientists at a CRO that invests in technology. The presence of considerable tools for predicting drug safety using techniques drives the segment's growth. Huge investment by key pharmaceutical companies in drug discovery is anticipated to boost the segment's revenue.

On the other hand, the other associated services segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR growth over the forecast period. The other related services segment includes analytical/bioanalytical methods, cell line development, upstream & downstream processes, formulation & quality assessment, and regulatory assistance, which is expected to grow rapidly in the upcoming years. This is due to increased adoption of outsourcing services and investments in drug discovery research and development activities. Such factors are anticipated to drive the segmental growth.

Drug Insights

Based on the drug type segment, the small molecules segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 during the forecast period. Small molecule synthesis is a viable drug discovery and development pathway for novel and generic products. Small molecules differ from other types of drug compounds, such as proteins and biologics. Small molecules developed for oncology therapies penetrate the cell wall and target the cell. Small molecules are thus used in cytotoxic chemotherapy to exploit the generic vulnerabilities of a tumor. Most of the new drugs in the market are based on this capability of small molecules. Most of the new drugs in the market are based on this capability of small molecules. Sales of the specialty medicines are increasing owing to small molecule applications. For instance, in 2024, the U.S. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research approved 50 new molecular entities, consisting of 32 chemical entities & 18 biologic entities. Of the NCEs, small molecules gained major attention and share, making up 91% (31 drugs), with the remaining drugs comprising peptides and nucleic acids.

Small molecules continue to play a vital role in the innovation of treatments across therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular, oncology, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases. Increased significance and effective components add to the potential of small molecules in the pharmaceutical portfolio. Furthermore, the benefits of small molecules over larger ones have led to a rise in investments in the field, especially in cancer research. These molecules can be administered orally to treat chronic diseases as they are cheaper, easier to manufacture, and can be combined with intracellular targets. The continuous ongoing studies to investigate and develop novel therapeutics for indications will likely drive the market segment.

In addition, large molecules are anticipated to grow as the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Large molecules, also known as biopharmaceuticals, are a protein-based class of drugs that consist of more than 1,300 amino acids optimized by versions of endogenous human proteins. These molecules hold great promise for disease diagnosis and prevention, as demonstrated by early-phase clinical trials. Moreover, significant investments for drug development entities are anticipated to drive the segment in the coming years.

Service Insights

Based on service segment, the market is segmented into chemistry services and biology services. In 2024, the chemistry services segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the market. The segment growth is driven by the increasing number of outsourcing projects for small molecules across the industry. Furthermore, the availability of drug discovery service providers offering high-quality services for drug chemical synthesis is increasing the demand for chemistry service outsourcing, particularly among small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies lacking drug discovery research capabilities.

On the other hand, the biology services segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. One of the key factors promoting segment growth is the growing demand for technical experts to conduct drug discovery services while maintaining regulatory requirements. In addition, the presence of a number of biology drug discovery service providers, such as Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Ltd., Syngene International Limited, and Eurofins, is further supporting segment growth.

Therapeutics Area Insights

Based on the therapeutics area segment, the respiratory system segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. High incidence of respiratory disorders, such as bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), tuberculosis, and asthma, coupled with increasing cases of drug resistance, has influenced the growth of segments. For instance, COPD affects 11.7 million adults, accounting for the majority of emergency department visits and 10 billion in healthcare costs annually. Furthermore, introducing novel drug delivery technologies, such as nasal sprays, has been identified as the key contributor to the segment revenue. Lung diseases are responsible for hospital admissions and over millions of inpatient bed-days in the U.S. per year. In addition, for COPD, around 90% of deaths under 70 years occur in low- to middle-income countries. The disease is the eighth leading cause of poor health across the globe. In these regions, tobacco smoking accounts for 30-40% of COPD cases, and air pollution is a major risk factor.

The oncology segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Increased focus on identifying novel targets to support cancer treatment contributes to the lucrative growth of the oncology segment. In addition, research focused on the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, and extracellular matrix, which is expected to drive the segment growth. Furthermore, emerging new immunotherapies, including bispecific antibodies, CAR-T therapies, and tumor vaccines, are gaining increasing demand to improve response rates and broaden the scope of immunotherapy to different cancer types. Moreover, private players provide biophysical, biochemical, and cellular assay systems for oncology targets, which include tumor microenvironment, tumor metabolism, cancer immunology, and other assays. For instance, the U.S. FDA mentioned that as of 2023, the global oncology pipeline mentioned 16 oral medications & 6 injectable drugs, with 6 drugs dedicated to breast cancer and 3 aimed for non-small cell lung cancer.

End Use Insights

Based on the end use segment, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. The high growth of the segment is mainly due to the growing rate of pipeline therapeutics, high R&D investment to develop innovative therapeutics, and increasing outsourcing to reduce costs & focus on core competencies. The growing R&D pipeline is expected to have a positive impact on the market. Furthermore, the burden of chronic and infectious diseases is rising steadily worldwide. The growing burden of these diseases is expected to increase the interest of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in developing new drugs. Such factors are expected to drive market growth.

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Share

The academic institutes segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segment is driven by significant amounts of funding provided for drug discovery research to research institutions, which is one of the key factors driving the segment's growth. Furthermore, collaboration agreements with market players and research institutes have further promoted segment growth. For instance, Evotec mentioned a multi-year partnership with the Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf to develop cell therapy treatment for heart failure. Adoption of such strategies by market players in the future is likely to have a positive impact on market growth.

Regional Insights

In 2024, North America held the largest revenue share of 41.16% globally. This can be attributed to technological advancements, well-established research infrastructure & market players, higher investments in drug discovery R&D, and the local presence of major players involved in intensive investigations of new drug candidates against various diseases. Moreover, the increase in disease-related morbidity and mortality has led to the discovery of more drug candidates, thereby driving the growth in this region. In addition, the region’s growing research and development investment, rise in the incidence of various diseases, and increasing need for efficiency, quality, and innovation are driving the growth of the drug discovery outsourcing industry in North America. In addition, public-private partnerships formed to develop novel drug molecules are expected to dramatically impact market growth in this region. Moreover, growing extensive drug development activities, several pharmaceutical & biotech companies, and a surge in regional clinical trials are some factors boosting the market.

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends, by Region, 2025 - 2033

U.S. Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends

The drug discovery outsourcing market in the U.S. held the largest share in 2024. The growing need for innovative drug options, escalating disease prevalence, and the surge in public-private partnerships focused on developing new molecules have significantly fueled the collaborations between drug developers and service providers. In addition, these collaborations have contributed to the increased market size. For instance, in September 2023, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. and Related Sciences mentioned the collaboration to utilize an AI-powered drug solution, Logica, for drug discovery on previously unexplored targets. The partnership will drive the trend in the U.S. market towards AI technologies, enhancing efficiency and innovation. Such factors are expected to drive the country’s growth.

The Canada drug discovery outsourcing market is driven by a robust research framework, a highly skilled scientific workforce, and favorable government initiatives supporting life sciences innovation. Canadian CROs are increasingly collaborating with global biotech and pharmaceutical firms to provide specialized services in areas such as medicinal chemistry, early-stage biology, and preclinical development. The ecosystem benefits from strong ties between academia and industry, with notable advancements in fields like biologics, AI-driven discovery, and rare disease research. Besides, the regulations and adherence to data integrity standards further fuel Canada's role as an outsourcing hub. Moreover, growing demand for innovative-oriented partnerships is expected to drive market growth over the estimated time period.

Europe Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends

The Europe drug discovery outsourcing market is driven by rising demand for biopharmaceutical products and the increasing need for new drugs to treat complex diseases. In addition, the European market has a highly skilled workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and favorable regulatory policies, making it a preferred destination for pharmaceutical companies to outsource their drug discovery activities. Furthermore, with the increasing adoption of personalized medicine and the need for precision medicine, Europe's drug discovery outsourcing market is expected to drive the market growth over the estimated time period.

The drug discovery outsourcing market in Germany held the highest share in 2024. Germany drug discovery outsourcing plays a critical role for pharmaceutical manufacturers owing to the growing new drugs being developed in collaboration with many research institutions & organizations. This factor is expected to bridge the gap between the discovery of new treatment approaches, their preclinical development, and clinical testing, as well as encourage the participation of larger pharmaceutical firms. Moreover, collaborations among enterprises to develop novel drugs are anticipated to drive market growth over the estimated time. For instance, in November 2024, BioPharmaSpec mentioned opening three new European facilities in Germany, Freiburg, Bergamo, Italy, and Vilnius, Lithuania, focusing on discovery and R&D services. Such factors are anticipated to drive the market.

The UK Drug Discovery Outsourcing market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. The country's growth is driven by the growing discovery of high-quality drug molecules, and the presence of top-notch companies such as AstraZeneca, Bayer Pharma, Merck KGaA, Lundbeck, UCB Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi is anticipated to drive the requirement for the drug discovery outsourcing market.

Asia Pacific Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to various factors, such as rising healthcare expenditure and growing demand for pharmaceutical products. In addition, the region is emerging as a hub for outsourcing drug discovery activities owing to the lower costs, favorable regulatory environment, and quality data. In addition, a growing number of ongoing studies in the region for drug discovery, private-public collaborations, and government initiatives are some of the key factors likely to propel the growth of the Asia Pacific drug discovery outsourcing industry.

The drug discovery outsourcing market in China is one of the major hubs for drug discovery as it supports minimizing the cost of drug discovery and a skilled workforce; hence, outsourcing services have become one of the most favored strategies adopted globally. In addition, recent trends have shown that the increasing percentage of clinical trials being performed will drive the market. Besides, many outsourcing providers offer excellent drug/therapy development and manufacturing services.

The drug discovery outsourcing market in Japan is the second-largest at a global level and is expected to provide a robust opportunity for drug discovery outsourcing services, thus driving the market. The country has the fastest-aging population in the world and is developing a demographic trend that results in a higher incidence of cancer. This makes Japan a lucrative market for drug discovery outsourcing.

The India drug discovery outsourcing market isdriven by a growing number of low-cost drug discovery services, the availability of industry experts, and the presence of WHO-cGMP-compliant facilities. Furthermore, various initiatives undertaken by the government and investments in R&D programs are further boosting market growth in the country. For instance, the operational costs in India are comparatively lower than in other countries, which certainly presents economic benefits for multinational companies. Increased government funding for R&D to accelerate new product development has made India one of the most favored locations for research activities. These factors are anticipated to drive the market in India.

Latin America Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends

The drug discovery outsourcing market in Latin America is experiencing significant growth driven by an expanding pool of scientific expertise, cost-effective operations, and increases in biomedical research investment. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are becoming preferred choices for early-stage drug discovery services, especially in areas like medicinal chemistry, in vitro biology, and compound screening. Besides, CROs forming strategic partnerships with international sponsors to advance projects focused on oncology, infectious diseases, and neglected tropical diseases is expected to support market growth.

The Brazil drug discovery outsourcing market, driven by advancements in genomics, proteomics, and computational modeling, positions the country as a strategic hub for drug discovery services. Collaborations between academic institutions, government agencies, and industry players foster innovation, particularly in therapeutic areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. In addition, the pharmaceutical companies seek cost-effective and efficient R&D solutions. Moreover, robust infrastructure and scientific expertise make it an increasingly attractive destination for drug discovery outsourcing. Such factors are expected to drive the market growth over the estimated time period.

Middle East & Africa Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Trends

The drug discovery outsourcing market in the MEA region is expected to experience steady growth in the upcoming years. The segment growth is driven by increasing investments in biomedical research, a growing pool of skilled professionals, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as AI and in silico modeling. Besides, collaborations between academic institutions, government agencies, and industry players are expected to drive innovation, particularly in therapeutic areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. Moreover, global pharmaceutical companies seek cost-effective and efficient R&D solutions, robust infrastructure, and scientific expertise, further driving market growth.

The South Africa drug discovery outsourcing market is driven by a rising demand for biologics, the pharmaceutical industry's attractiveness, and the diverse population. Furthermore, shifting market dynamics and enhanced access to biologic products in underserved areas are expected to further contribute to market growth.

Key Drug Discovery Outsourcing Company Insights

The key players operating across the market are adopting strategic initiatives such as service launches, mergers & acquisitions, partnerships & agreements, and expansions to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in March 2024, Selvita S.A. announced a strategic plan to expand its service offerings by venturing into biologic drug discovery and development. As part of this initiative, the company enhanced its portfolio with advanced capabilities for discovering & developing therapeutic antibodies.

Key Drug Discovery Outsourcing Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the drug discovery outsourcing market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends.

  • Albany Molecular Research Inc.
  • EVOTEC
  • Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
  • GenScript
  • EVOTEC
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
  • Charles River Laboratories
  • WuXi AppTec
  • Merck & Co., Inc.
  • Dalton Pharma Services
  • Oncodesign
  • Jubilant Biosys
  • DiscoverX Corp.
  • QIAGEN
  • Eurofins SE
  • Syngene International Limited
  • Dr. Reddy Laboratories Ltd.
  • Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd.
  • TCG Lifesciences Pvt Ltd.
  • Domainex Ltd.

Recent Developments

  • In March 2025, Syngene International Limited mentioned acquiring its first biologics site in the USA, which includes several manufacturing lines for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The site was purchased from Emergent Manufacturing Operations in Baltimore, enhancing Syngene's expanding global presence in the biologics sector and allowing the company to better serve clients in the human and animal health markets.

  • In October 2024, Samsung Biologics announced the launch of a high-concentration formulation platform to support the development and manufacturing of high-dose biopharmaceuticals. S-HiConTM can identify unintended pH changes, reduce viscosity, enhance efficacy, enhance formulation stability, and maximize drug delivery.

  • In July 2024, Exscientia plc announced its partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to utilize the cloud provider's AI and ML tools, aimed at improving its platform for thorough drug discovery and automation. Moreover, the integration of AI is facilitating the automation of laboratories and processes, reducing costs related to drug development.

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Report Scope

Report Attribute

Details

Market size value in 2025

USD 8.08 billion

Revenue forecast in 2033

USD 17.11 billion

Growth rate

CAGR of 9.83% from 2025 to 2033

Actual Years

2021 - 2024

Forecast period

2025 - 2033

Quantitative units

Revenue in USD Million/Billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2033

Report coverage

Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Segments covered

Workflow, drug, service, therapeutics area, end use, and region

Regional scope

North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA

Country scope

U.S.; Canada; Mexico; UK; Germany; France; Italy; Spain; Denmark; Sweden; Norway; Japan; China; India; Thailand; South Korea; Australia; Brazil; Argentina; South Africa; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Kuwait 

Key companies profiled

Albany Molecular Research Inc.; EVOTEC; Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings; GenScript; EVOTEC; Charles River Laboratories; WuXi AppTec; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; Dalton Pharma Services; Oncodesign; Jubilant Biosys; DiscoverX Corp.; QIAGEN; Eurofins SE; Syngene International Limited; Dr. Reddy Laboratories Ltd.; Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd.; TCG Lifesciences Pvt Ltd.; Domainex Ltd. 

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

Pricing and purchase options

Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options

Global Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global drug discovery outsourcing market report based on workflow, drug, service, therapeutics area, end use, and region.

  • Workflow Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • Target Identification & Screening

    • Target Validation & Functional Informatics

    • Lead Identification & Candidate Optimization

    • Preclinical Development

    • Others

  • Drug Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • Small Molecules

    • Large Molecules

  • Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • Chemistry Services

    •  Biology Services

  • Therapeutics Area Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • Respiratory system

    • Pain and Anesthesia

    • Oncology

    • Ophthalmology

    • Hematology

    • Cardiovascular

    • Endocrine

    • Gastrointestinal

    • Immunomodulation

    • Anti-infective

    • Central Nervous System

    • Dermatology

    • Genitourinary System

  • End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology companies

    • Academic Institutes

  • Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

    • North America

      • U.S.

      • Canada

      • Mexico

    • Europe

      • UK

      • Germany

      • France

      • Italy 

      • Spain

      • Sweden

      • Denmark

      • Norway

    • Asia Pacific

      • Japan

      • China

      • India

      • Thailand 

      • South Korea

      • Australia

    • Latin America

      • Brazil

      • Argentina

    • Middle East & Africa

      • South Africa

      • Saudi Arabia

      • Argentina

      • UAE

      • Kuwait

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