Is This the Dawn of a Small Molecule Revival?

For years, biologics have soaked up the spotlight—hailed as the future of medicine. But quietly, small molecules have been building a serious case for a comeback. And if you’re in the CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) space, this shift could be your wake-up call.

So what’s fueling this revival—and how should CDMOs evolve to ride this new wave?

Why Small Molecules Are (Suddenly) Hot Again?

➡️ They're Familiar—but Evolving
Small molecules have always been pharma's workhorse. Now, with new delivery methods and formulations, they’re stepping into more advanced therapeutic spaces with fresh momentum.

➡️ Cost-Effective & Scalable
Biologics may be cutting-edge, but they're expensive and tricky to manufacture. Small molecules offer simpler chemistry, faster development, and leaner operations—a win for both developers and patients.

➡️ AI and Drug Discovery Tools Are Fueling Innovation
With AI identifying new molecular targets faster than ever, we're seeing a spike in small molecule candidates entering the pipeline. CDMOs that can keep pace with this volume will be in high demand.

➡️ The Oral Advantage
As new therapies aim for easier patient adherence, oral small molecule drugs are becoming even more desirable—especially in global markets.

What This Means for CDMO Strategy?

✔️ Reboot Legacy Infrastructure
Got an underutilized small molecule facility? It might be time to modernize and ramp up. The demand is real—and growing.

✔️ Speed Is the New Differentiator
Biotech clients want partners who can scale from early-stage to commercial quickly. Being nimble and tech-enabled is no longer optional.

✔️ Offer Full-Service Agility
Formulation, synthesis, analytical testing, packaging—CDMOs that offer end-to-end support will dominate as sponsors seek fewer handoffs and tighter timelines.

At 44International, we’ve seen firsthand how the small molecule rebound is reshaping priorities across the industry. We’re helping partners rethink facility design, accelerate time-to-market, and navigate this new landscape with confidence.

💡 If your team is looking to stay competitive in a small molecule-forward world—let’s talk.