Peptide Drug Conjugates Market

Market Definition

The market includes a landscape of therapeutics and diagnostics that utilize peptide-based drug conjugation for targeted disease management. This market covers both therapeutic and diagnostic PDCs, including commercially available products such as OctreoScan, Lutathera, Pluvicto, and Illuccix, along with emerging peptide-based conjugates. 

This report outlines the key market drivers, alongside significant trends, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive dynamics that are influencing the market's growth in the coming years.

Peptide Drug Conjugates Market Overview

The global peptide drug conjugates market size was valued at USD 3,724.3 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 4,412.1 million in 2024 to USD 15,535.6 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.70% during the forecast period. 

The increasing demand for targeted therapeutics and advancements in peptide-based drug delivery is driving the global market. The market is expanding as PDCs offer enhanced specificity, improved drug stability, and reduced systemic toxicity, positioning them as a viable approach in oncology and other therapeutic areas.

Major companies operating in the peptide drug conjugates industry are Bicycle Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, PeptiDream Inc., Theratechnologies Inc., Ipsen Pharma, Innovent, Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Avacta Therapeutics, CordenPharma, and Oncopeptides AB.

Innovations in radiopharmaceuticals and peptide engineering are accelerating the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic products. The increasing availability of commercial products underscores the market’s growth potential, while ongoing clinical advancements continue to drive new opportunities.

Key Highlights

1. The peptide drug conjugates industry size was recorded at USD 3,724.3 million in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.70% from 2024 to 2031.
3. North America held a market share of 38.21% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 1,423.0 million.
4. The lutathera segment garnered USD 1,126.6 million in revenue in 2023.
5. The therapeutic segment is expected to reach USD 10,857.9 million by 2031.
6. The oncology segment is expected to reach USD 9,978.5 million by 2031.
7. The Hospitals segment is expected to reach USD 8,682.9 million by 2031.
8. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 20.46% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Rising Prevalence of Cancer

The market is primarily driven by the rising prevalence of cancer and chronic diseases, which has significantly increased the demand for targeted therapeutics. The high mortality rate from cancer worldwide drives the need for more selective and effective treatment options. 

PDCs have emerged as a promising solution due to their ability to deliver therapeutic payloads with high specificity to diseased cells while sparing healthy tissues. This targeted approach enhances treatment efficacy and reduces the risk of adverse side effects, making PDCs highly attractive for oncology applications. 

Acording to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global cancer cases are projected to exceed 35 million new diagnoses by 2050, marking a 77% increase from 2022. This increase is driven by aging populations, lifestyle changes, and environmental risk factors, including exposure to pollutants, chemicals, and radiation.

Market Challenge

Stability and Scalability Challenges

The major challenge in the peptide drug conjugates market is the complexity of manufacturing and maintaining drug stability throughout the development and commercialization processes. PDCs require precise synthesis and conjugation techniques to ensure the stability of the peptide, linker, and drug payload. 

This complexity leads to issues such as poor stability and degradation which can compromise the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the final product. To address this challenge, industry players are increasingly turning to advanced manufacturing technologies, process optimization, and strategic outsourcing. 

Key players are investing in innovative peptide stabilization techniques, automated synthesis platforms, and improved linkers to enhance drug consistency and stability.

Market Trend

Adoption of Personalized Medicine and Precision Therapeutics

The global market is experiencing a significant shift toward personalized medicine and precision therapeutics. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for treatments that are more targeted and effective. 

The focus is on developing therapies that are customized based on individual biomarkers and genetic profiles, enabling treatments to be more specific and better suited to each patient's unique needs.

This shift is reshaping the PDC landscape, as therapies are being designed to target specific disease markers, improving the precision of treatments and reducing the risk of side effects. As peptide engineering, conjugation technologies, and diagnostic tools continue to evolve, the trend toward personalized and precision therapeutics is expected to accelerate. This evolution is enhancing the role of PDCs in treating complex diseases, particularly in oncology and rare disorders, and driving further innovation in the market.

• In March 2025, Cybrexa Therapeutics presented preclinical data on its alphalex PDC technology at ESMO TAT Congress 2025, highlighting its role in personalized medicine and precision therapeutics. The pH-driven targeting approach enables selective tumor drug delivery, minimizing off-target toxicities while enhancing therapeutic efficacy in precision oncology.

Peptide Drug Conjugates Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Product	OctreoScan, Lutathera, Pluvicto, Illuccix, Others
By Type	Therapeutic, Diagnostic
By Application	Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Disorders, Others
By End User	Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Research Institutes
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Product (OctreoScan, Lutathera, Pluvicto, Illuccix, and Others): The lutathera segment earned USD 1,126.6 million in 2023 due to its widespread adoption in neuroendocrine tumor treatment and increasing demand for targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies.
• By Type (Therapeutic, Diagnostic): The therapeutic held 68.54% of the market in 2023, due to the rising use of peptide drug conjugates in precision oncology and the growing pipeline of targeted therapies.
• By Application (Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Disorders, and Others): The oncology segment is projected to reach USD 9,978.5 million by 2031, owing to the increasing prevalence of cancer and the expanding role of PDCs in personalized cancer treatment.
• By End User (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Research Institutes): The Hospitals segment is projected to reach USD 8,682.9 million by 2031, owing to the growing number of hospital-based radiopharmaceutical procedures and the availability of specialized treatment facilities.

Peptide Drug Conjugates Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

North America peptide drug conjugates market share stood around 38.21% in 2023 in the global market, with a valuation of USD 1,423.0 million. This dominance is attributed to the well-established biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, strong research and development (R&D) investments, and the high adoption of advanced targeted therapies in this region. 

The presence of key market players, such as biotechnology firms and contract research organizations (CROs), has further fueled innovation in PDC development. Additionally increasing FDA approvals for peptide-based therapeutics, and a rising prevalence of cancer and autoimmune diseases further contribute to the market growth. 

The National Cancer Institute projected an estimated 611,720 deaths and 2,001,140 new cancer cases for 2024 are projected in the U.S., highlighting the rising cancer prevalence and the growing need for advanced targeted therapies.

Asia Pacific is poised to grow at a significant growth at a CAGR of 20.46% over the forecast period. This rapid expansion is driven by the increasing healthcare expenditures, rising prevalence of cancer, and growing investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. 

Countries such as China, Japan, and India are playing a pivotal role in market development, supported by government initiatives to boost drug innovation and clinical research. Additionally, the presence of cost-effective manufacturing facilities and increased collaborations between regional and global pharmaceutical companies are contributing to the market’s acceleration. 

An increasing number of clinical trials and regulatory approvals for peptide-based therapeutics in Asia Pacific is further strengthening its position as a high-growth market.

 Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates Peptide Drug Conjugates (PDCs) under the regulatory frameworks applicable to both small-molecule drugs and biologics, depending on the composition and mechanism of action of the conjugate. The FDA evaluates PDCs through its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) or Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), based on specific regulatory pathways.
• In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulates Peptide Drug Conjugates (PDCs) under a centralized procedure that applies to innovative and complex therapeutic agents, ensuring they meet standards for quality, safety, and efficacy across all European Union (EU) member states.

Competitive Landscape:

Key players in the peptide drug conjugates market are actively focusing on research and development (R&D) to innovate and improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of PDCs, targeting niche therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases and metabolic disorders. They are leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced linker chemistry and novel peptide synthesis to enhance drug stability and bioavailability.

In addition, collaborations and partnerships are key strategies in the peptide drug conjugates market. These alliances allow market participants to pool resources, access proprietary technologies, and accelerate clinical development timelines. 

To maintain a competitive edge, companies are increasingly adopting precision medicine approaches by developing personalized PDC therapies targeted at specific patient populations. Lifecycle management strategies, such as reformulating existing PDCs or exploring new indications for approved products, are being utilized to maximize market share and extend product lifecycles.

• In January 2025, Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Decoy Therapeutics, Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement to integrate Decoy’s IMP3ACT peptide conjugate drug design platform,  which utilizes machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for rapid computational drug development.

List of Key Companies in Peptide Drug Conjugates Market:

• Bicycle Therapeutics
• AstraZeneca
• PeptiDream Inc.
• Theratechnologies Inc.
• Ipsen Pharma
• Innovent
• Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Avacta Therapeutics
• CordenPharma
• Oncopeptides AB

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Cybrexa Therapeutics presented positive final results from a Phase 1 study of CBX-12, a peptide-drug conjugate (PDC), at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024. The study demonstrated that CBX-12 was well-tolerated and exhibited promising activity across various advanced or metastatic solid tumors, including ovarian, breast, thymic, gall bladder, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and colorectal cancers.