The global drug discovery outsourcing market is projected to reach USD 10.23 billion by 2030, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.58% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly brought pharmaceutical companies into the global spotlight, highlighting the need for efficient drug discovery processes. Drug discovery itself is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, which has prompted many pharmaceutical and biotech companies to outsource their research activities to Contract Research Organizations (CROs), both academic and private. The rising trend of partnerships between public and private entities has further accelerated drug discovery processes, leading to a greater demand for outsourcing services in the industry.

This trend is expected to continue even beyond the post-COVID era. The increasing incidence of chronic diseases has spurred pharmaceutical companies to focus on developing medicines that can extend life expectancy. According to the United Nations, people aged 65 years between 2015 and 2020 are projected to live an additional 17 years. This demographic shift is fueling the demand for innovative treatments, with some of the key therapeutic areas where companies are actively outsourcing research including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and anti-infectives. For example, in November 2020, AstraZeneca partnered with nine leading oncology medical centers to expedite research in tackling some of the most difficult cancers. This collaboration involves funding clinical and non-clinical research proposals from the network members to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of drug discovery and development on a global scale. The urgency of finding a vaccine to combat COVID-19 has led to heightened public and governmental interest in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies like Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE were among the first to receive approval for a vaccine following successful Phase 3 trials of a vaccine candidate against the virus. Meanwhile, many clinical trials, both for COVID-19 and other diseases, were temporarily halted during the pandemic. However, some trials have continued by adopting remote monitoring technologies to ensure progress despite physical restrictions.

As a result, the pharmaceutical industry has been brought into sharp focus, with drug discovery outsourcing becoming a crucial strategy for developing effective treatments, including vaccines. This surge in outsourcing activity, spurred by the pandemic, is expected to lead to a short-term boost in market revenue over the next couple of years. After this short-term spike, the market is expected to stabilize and return to its original growth trajectory. This sustained demand for outsourcing drug discovery services is indicative of the ongoing importance of external partnerships in accelerating pharmaceutical innovations and addressing global health challenges.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market

1. What is the projected size of the global drug discovery outsourcing market?

The global drug discovery outsourcing market is expected to reach USD 10.23 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.58% from 2025 to 2030.

2. What factors are driving the growth of the drug discovery outsourcing market?

Key drivers include:

• Cost and Time Efficiency: Drug discovery is a costly and lengthy process. Outsourcing to Contract Research Organizations (CROs) helps pharmaceutical and biotech companies reduce costs and accelerate timelines.

• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic highlighted the need for rapid drug development, leading to increased reliance on outsourcing for research activities.

• Chronic Disease Prevalence: Rising cases of chronic diseases have spurred demand for new treatments, further driving the need for efficient drug discovery processes.

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations between public and private entities have accelerated drug discovery processes, increasing the global demand for outsourcing services.

3. Which regions are leading in drug discovery outsourcing?

Asia Pacific held the largest market share of 45.99% in 2024, driven by factors such as rising healthcare expenditure and growing demand for pharmaceutical products. India is projected to register the highest CAGR from 2025 to 2030.

4. What are the different service types in drug discovery outsourcing?

The market is segmented into: 

• Chemistry Services 

• Biology Services

5. Who are the key players in the drug discovery outsourcing market?

• Albany Molecular Research Inc.

• EVOTEC

• Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

• GenScript

• EVOTEC

• Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC

• Charles River Laboratories

• WuXi AppTec

• Merck & Co., Inc.

• 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.

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