The global peptide drug conjugates (PDCs) market size was estimated at USD 3,731.3 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12,842.9 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.2% from 2025 to 2030. This substantial growth is primarily driven by the rising global burden of cancer and the increasing need for highly selective, targeted therapies that minimize systemic toxicity. Additionally, continuous advancements in peptide synthesis, linker chemistry, and conjugation technologies are enhancing the therapeutic potential and commercial viability of PDCs. These conjugates stand out for offering more efficient drug delivery, superior tumor-targeting capabilities, and significantly reduced side effects, which make them particularly valuable in oncology as well as in managing long-term chronic diseases. Increasing investments in research and development, combined with favorable regulatory pathways and growing strategic alliances among pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, are further accelerating market expansion. Moreover, PDC applications are gradually extending beyond oncology into areas such as infectious diseases and metabolic disorders, broadening the overall demand and long-term market prospects.

Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders pose complex therapeutic challenges due to their multifaceted biological mechanisms and the difficulty of precisely targeting affected tissues without harming healthy cells. Peptide drug conjugates provide a more refined treatment approach by enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic agents directly to diseased cells, which helps reduce adverse effects while improving overall treatment outcomes. As the global prevalence of chronic diseases continues to rise, the demand for innovative and more efficient therapeutic modalities like PDCs is increasing steadily. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases are responsible for 71% of all global deaths, with cardiovascular diseases alone causing 17.9 million fatalities each year. Likewise, data from the American Hospital Association indicates that approximately 133 million Americans—nearly half of the population—suffer from at least one chronic illness, and this number is expected to escalate to around 170 million by 2030. These statistics highlight the urgent need for advanced therapeutic solutions, thereby reinforcing the strong market potential for peptide drug conjugates.

The industry is also experiencing robust momentum due to a rapidly expanding pipeline of clinical trials aimed at advancing next-generation targeted therapies for cancer, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders. As leading pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech players increase their investments in clinical research, the number of PDC candidates entering Phase I, II, and III trials continues to rise, accelerating both innovation and commercialization pathways. A notable example occurred in April 2024, when Novartis AG committed an additional USD 180 million to expand its radioligand therapy program through an extended collaboration with PeptiDream. This strategic investment underscores the growing importance of peptide-based targeted therapies in oncology and related fields. The added funding is anticipated to expedite key ongoing Phase II and Phase III studies, particularly for radioligand therapies and PDCs that have shown high efficacy in destroying tumors with minimal off-target effects. With demonstrated success in treating prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, this investment is expected to broaden the clinical use of PDCs for other challenging malignancies, ultimately improving patient access to advanced precision medicine therapies.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• North America maintained a leading position in the peptide drug conjugates market in 2024, accounting for 75.02% of the global share. This dominance is attributed to the region’s high incidence of cancer and chronic illnesses, strong adoption of advanced targeted therapies, and continuous progress in peptide synthesis and radioligand technologies. The market also benefits from substantial biopharmaceutical investments, faster regulatory approvals, and a growing presence of RNAi-based therapeutic platforms that complement PDC development.
• The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth due to rising cancer prevalence, improved accessibility to healthcare services, and expanding local manufacturing capabilities. Countries such as China, Japan, and India are emerging as key markets, supported by favorable government policies, rising R&D spending, and increasing clinical trial activity. Continued innovation in peptide-linker technology and radiopharmaceutical development is further strengthening market penetration across the region.
• Based on product, the Pluvicto segment dominated the industry with a 42.52% revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Pluvicto (lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan), a PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy developed by Novartis, has significantly influenced the PDC landscape due to its clinical success in treating metastatic prostate cancer. The Illuccix segment is also expected to exhibit strong growth. Illuccix, developed by Telix Pharmaceuticals, is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical used for prostate cancer imaging and has played a key role in improving detection accuracy, thereby supporting the wider adoption of PDC-based diagnostic solutions.
• Based on type, the therapeutic segment was the dominant category in 2024 and is projected to maintain the fastest growth rate throughout the forecast period. This segment’s expansion is driven by the availability and increasing utilization of approved PDC therapies, such as Lutathera and Pluvicto, which have demonstrated strong clinical outcomes and market uptake. Diagnostics also hold a considerable market share, supported by their growing importance in cancer detection, disease staging, and treatment monitoring. The combined effect of expanding radioligand therapy and innovative diagnostic technologies continues to strengthen the diagnostics segment’s contribution to overall market growth.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 3,731.3 Million
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 12,842.9 Million
• CAGR (2025-2030): 19.2%
• North America: Largest market in 2024

Key Players

• Novartis AG
• AstraZeneca
• Oncopeptides AB
• Bicycle Therapeutics
• Cybrexa
• Angiochem Inc.
• Soricimed Biopharma
• Theratechnologies Inc.

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Conclusion:

The peptide drug conjugates market is poised for strong growth over the coming years, driven by rising chronic disease prevalence, expanding clinical research activities, and increasing demand for highly targeted therapies. Advancements in peptide synthesis, linker technology, and radioligand therapy continue to enhance the clinical effectiveness and commercial potential of PDCs. Growing regulatory support, strategic collaborations, and significant investments from major pharmaceutical companies further accelerate innovation and market expansion. Additionally, the broadening of PDC applications beyond oncology into metabolic and infectious diseases strengthens long-term market prospects. Overall, the industry is positioned for sustained advancement as precision medicine continues to shape the future of therapeutics and diagnostics.