Report Description
Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Outlook 2031:
The global small molecule drug discovery market size was valued at USD 75.96 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 150.58 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period 2023 - 2031. The growth of the market is attributed to rising applications of small molecule drugs in the treatment of chronic disorders. Moreover, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is anticipated to propel the market growth.
Small molecule drugs are compounds with low molecular weight that are capable of modulating biochemical processes to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. These drugs include aspirin, diphenhydramine, and aripiprazole.

Small molecule drugs have organic compounds and metabolites. When the biological target is well defined and understood, the rational design of small molecule ligands is possible. Moreover, small molecule libraries are also used for unbiased assays of complex diseases in which biological target is unknown or multiple factors contribute to the disease.
Small molecule drug infiltrate through the cell membrane to easily interact with targeted molecules present inside the cell. These molecules are intended to impede with the enzymatic action of the target protein, also known as enzyme inhibitors.
Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities:
- Rising technological advancements and growing preference for small molecules are some of the key drivers that are contributing to the growth of the global small molecule drug discovery market.
- Rising disease complications have led major players to increase their R&D expenditure, which in turn, is expected to augment the small molecule drug discovery market growth.
- High drug development cost can hinder the market growth.
- The outbreak of COVID-19 has positively impacted the small molecule drug discovery market. This is due to the increasing burden on the healthcare industry, which encouraged government to increase their health expenditure.
- Rising trend of increasing small molecule-based pipeline drug can create lucrative opportunities for industry players in the projected timeline.
Scope of the Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Report
The report on the global Small molecule drug discovery market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes
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Details
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Report Title
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Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
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Base Year
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2022
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Historic Data
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2016–2021
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Forecast Period
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2023–2031
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Segmentation
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Therapeutic Areas (Oncology, Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Metabolic Disorders, Gastrointestinal, Orthopedics, Anti-infective, Dermatology, Immunology, and Others), Processes/Phases (Target ID/Validation, Hit Generation and Selection, Lead Identification, and Lead Optimization)
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Regional scope
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North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa
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Report Coverage
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Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast
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Key Players Covered in the Report
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Pfizer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Merck KGaA, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, and GlaxoSmithKline
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Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Segment Insights:
Oncology segment to grow at a rapid pace
Based on therapeutic areas, the market is divided into oncology, central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal, orthopedics, anti-infective, dermatology, immunology, and others.
The oncology segment is anticipated to account for a key market share and is anticipated to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period. Increasing incidence of cancer and ongoing discoveries of small molecule drugs for cancer treatment are expected to propel the growth of the segment.
Lead identification segment to account a major market share
Based on process/phase, the market is divided into target ID/validation, hit generation and selection, lead identification, and lead optimization. The target ID/validation segment is anticipated to account for a major share owing to increasing awareness about its benefits such as identifying and accessing the chances of a molecular target in achieving the development of pharmaceuticals for therapeutic application.

North America to account a considerable market share
On the basis of regions, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America is anticipated to account for a considerable market share owing to presence of major pharmaceutical companies that are engaging in R&D activities and are collaborating with government agencies to develop small molecule drugs in order to meet future health crisis.
Segments
The global Small molecule drug discovery has been segmented on the basis of
Therapeutic Areas
- Oncology
- Central Nervous System
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Metabolic Disorders
- Gastrointestinal
- Orthopedics
- Anti-infective
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Others
Processes/Phases
- Target ID/Validation
- Hit Generation and Selection
- Lead Identification
- Lead Optimization
Regions
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
Key Players
Competitive Landscape
The major players of the market are Pfizer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Merck KGaA, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, and GlaxoSmithKline. Companies are focusing on innovations, partnerships, and acquisitions to expand their market share.

Table Of Content
1. Executive Summary
2. Assumptions and Acronyms Used
3. Research Methodology
4. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Overview
4.1. Introduction
4.1.1. Market Taxonomy
4.1.2. Market Definition
4.2. Macro-Economic Factors
4.2.1. Industry Outlook
4.3. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Dynamics
4.3.1. Market Drivers
4.3.2. Market Restraints
4.3.3. Opportunity
4.3.4. Market Trends
4.4. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market - Supply Chain
4.5. Global Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Forecast
4.5.1. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size (US$ Mn) and Y-o-Y Growth
4.5.2. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size (000’ Units) and Y-o-Y Growth
4.5.3. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Absolute $ Opportunity
5. Global Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast by Region
5.1. Market Trends
5.2. Introduction
5.2.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Region
5.2.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Region
5.3. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Region
5.3.1. North America
5.3.2. Latin America
5.3.3. Europe
5.3.4. Asia Pacific
5.3.5. Middle East and Africa (MEA)
5.4. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Region
5.5. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis by Region
5.6. Global Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
6. North America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast
6.1. Introduction
6.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
6.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
6.2. North America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
6.2.1. U.S.
6.2.2. Canada
6.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
6.4. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
6.4.1. By Country
6.4.2. By Product Type
6.4.3. By Application
6.5. North America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
7. Latin America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast
7.1. Introduction
7.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
7.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
7.1.3. Latin America Average Pricing Analysis
7.2. Latin America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
7.2.1. Brazil
7.2.2. Mexico
7.2.3. Rest of Latin America
7.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
7.4. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
7.4.1. By Country
7.4.2. By Product Type
7.4.3. By Application
7.5. Latin America Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
8. Europe Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast
8.1. Introduction
8.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
8.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
8.1.3. Europe Average Pricing Analysis
8.2. Europe Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
8.2.1. Germany
8.2.2. France
8.2.3. Italy
8.2.4. U.K.
8.2.5. Spain
8.2.6. Russia
8.2.7. Rest of Europe
8.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
8.4. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
8.4.1. By Country
8.4.2. By Product Type
8.4.3. By Application
8.5. Europe Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
9. Asia Pacific Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast
9.1. Introduction
9.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
9.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
9.1.3. Asia Pacific Average Pricing Analysis
9.2. Asia Pacific Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
9.2.1. China
9.2.2. Japan
9.2.3. South Korea
9.2.4. India
9.2.5. Australia
9.2.6. Rest of Asia Pacific (APAC)
9.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
9.4. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
9.4.1. By Country
9.4.2. By Product Type
9.4.3. By Application
9.5. Asia Pacific Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
10. Middle East & Africa Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Analysis and Forecast
10.1. Introduction
10.1.1. Basis Point Share (BPS) Analysis by Country
10.1.2. Y-o-Y Growth Projections by Country
10.1.3. Middle East & Africa Average Pricing Analysis
10.2. Middle East & Africa Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market Size and Volume Forecast by Country
10.2.1. Saudi Arabia
10.2.2. South Africa
10.2.3. UAE
10.2.4. Rest of Middle East & Africa (MEA)
10.3. Absolute $ Opportunity Assessment by Country
10.4. Market Attractiveness/Growth Potential Analysis
10.4.1. By Country
10.4.2. By Product Type
10.4.3. By Application
10.5. Middle East & Africa Small Molecule Drug Discovery Demand Share Forecast, 2019-2026
11. Competition Landscape
11.1. Global Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market: Market Share Analysis
11.2. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Distributors and Customers
11.3. Small Molecule Drug Discovery Market: Competitive Dashboard
11.4. Company Profiles (Details: Overview, Financials, Developments, Strategy)
11.4.1. Pfizer Inc.
11.4.2.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
11.4.3.
Merck KGaA
11.4.4.
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
11.4.5.
GlaxoSmithKline