The Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD) market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising demand for novel therapeutics, chronic disease prevalence, and breakthroughs in structural biology. Explore market size, growth drivers, regional insights, opportunities, and key players shaping this high-potential industry.

The Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Market was valued at USD 869.3 Million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 939.29 Million in 2025 to reach USD 2685.94 Million by 2033, registering a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period (2025–2033).

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Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has gained traction as an effective way to identify and develop novel small-molecule therapeutics. Unlike high-throughput screening, FBDD offers diverse hits at lower costs and provides multiple pathways to develop unique compounds. With its application across enzymes, protein-protein interactions, and membrane proteins, FBDD has contributed to several approved drugs and clinical candidates.

Market Growth Drivers

  • Expanding applications in therapeutic areas such as oncology, CNS disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.

  • Advancements in structural biology and biophysical techniques that enhance fragment hit identification.

  • Rising global prevalence of chronic diseases, fueling the demand for innovative treatment approaches.

  • Strategic investments, collaborations, and research centers such as Evotec AG’s Innovation Centre for FBDD, designed to accelerate drug discovery using cutting-edge screening platforms.

Market Restraint

One key challenge is the limited chemical diversity of fragments, which can restrict the ability to target certain protein surfaces and reduce the success rate in generating complex drug-like molecules.

Market Opportunity

The focus on rare and neglected diseases presents significant opportunities. Programs like the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) under NIH are advancing drug development in this area, enabling partnerships and leveraging natural products as rich fragment sources.

Regional Insights

  • North America dominates the market, driven by a strong presence of biopharma companies, academic research institutions, and favorable FDA incentives for orphan and neglected diseases.

  • Asia-Pacific is a high-growth region, supported by a large patient population, cost-effective drug development, and regulatory reforms in countries like China and India that accelerate drug approvals.

Segmental Overview

  • Service Component: Fragment optimization dominates due to its role in transforming weak fragment hits into potent, drug-like leads.

  • End-User: Biopharmaceutical companies lead adoption, leveraging FBDD to reduce costs and time in drug discovery.

  • Application: Oncology is the largest segment, given its high unmet medical needs and ability of FBDD to address challenging protein targets.

Key Players in the Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Market

  • Pfizer Inc.

  • Novartis AG

  • Johnson & Johnson

  • Astex Pharmaceuticals

  • Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

  • Evotec AG

  • Proteros Fragments GmbH

  • Sprint Bioscience

  • Sygnature Discovery

  • Structure Based Design, Inc.

  • Beactica AB

  • Crown Bioscience, Inc.

  • Alveus Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.

  • Emerald BioStructures, Inc.

  • Kinetic Discovery Limited

Recent Developments

  • Jan 2024: AACR experts highlighted the role of AI and chemical probes in advancing cancer drug discovery.

  • Sept 2023: Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research, London developed the R2KD test to enhance fragment-target interaction analysis, making early-stage drug discovery more efficient.

Conclusion

With its ability to accelerate discovery, lower costs, and open new therapeutic avenues, the Fragment-Based Drug Discovery market is set for substantial growth. North America remains the leader, while Asia-Pacific offers untapped potential for future expansion. The increasing emphasis on rare diseases, combined with biopharma adoption and emerging technologies, positions FBDD as a key driver of next-generation drug development.

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