Drug Discovery Market Size | Global Analysis Inside 2025

Q: What is the overall market size of the drug discovery industry?

The drug discovery market is expected to reach USD 138.4 billion by 2031.

Q: Which technologies are driving innovation in drug discovery?

AI, machine learning, high-throughput screening, and CRISPR-based platforms are at the forefront of innovation.

Q: What factors are driving demand in the drug discovery market?

Rising chronic diseases, increased R&D funding, and the shift toward personalized medicine are major drivers.

Q: Which therapeutic areas are dominating drug discovery efforts?

Oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, and immunology are among the top therapeutic focus areas.

Q: What role does outsourcing play in drug discovery?

Pharmaceutical firms are increasingly outsourcing early-stage R&D to CROs and biotech firms for cost and speed benefits.

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Code: MTA4942

Publication Date: Jul 2025

What is the Drug Discovery Market Size?

According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights, the Global drug discovery market was valued at approximately USD 78.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 138.4 billion by 2031. The market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.

This growth is driven by technological advancements in high-throughput screening, increasing R&D investments, and rising demand for targeted and personalized medicine. Additionally, growing collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are expediting the drug discovery and development process.

Key Growth Factors of the Drug Discovery Market

Increasing healthcare expenditure and demand for novel therapies
Advancements in genomics, AI, and bioinformatics in drug discovery
Expansion of pharmaceutical R&D and strategic collaborations
Rise in chronic diseases and drug-resistant infections
Growth of biologics and biosimilars in therapeutic pipelines
Government incentives and regulatory support for new drug development

Drug Discovery Market Trends

The market is witnessing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for faster molecule identification. Outsourcing of drug discovery processes is increasing, and there is a strong focus on precision medicine. Biopharmaceutical companies are investing in advanced platforms like CRISPR and organ-on-chip technologies. Cloud-based data analytics is also shaping R&D strategies.

Emerging Developments in the Drug Discovery Market

New technologies such as quantum computing and AI-powered drug design are accelerating lead compound identification. Startups are disrupting the market with niche approaches like fragment-based drug design. There is also a surge in collaborative platforms combining academic and commercial resources, and increasing use of automation in laboratory workflows.