The expansion is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and rare genetic disorders, which are creating demand for faster and more cost-effective therapeutic solutions. Drug repurposing enables quicker access to treatments, particularly for conditions where traditional R&D is limited due to low commercial incentives. By leveraging compounds with known safety and pharmacological profiles, repurposing bypasses early-stage trials, shortens development timelines, and accelerates regulatory approvals. This approach is particularly appealing to pharmaceutical firms seeking quicker returns on investment. Drug repurposing involves discovering new therapeutic applications for existing medications, including approved, discontinued, or abandoned drugs, reducing the overall time and cost of drug development while expanding treatment options across multiple disease areas.
The small molecules segment held 67.5% share in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 33.8 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.5%. Small molecules are ideal candidates for repurposing due to their established pharmacokinetics, safety data, and manufacturing processes. Existing clinical data can be leveraged to reduce the need for extensive trials, while regulatory pathways, such as the FDA’s 505(b)(2), allow for faster approval by referencing prior evidence.
The oral drug segment generated USD 18.4 billion in 2024. Oral formulations are widely applicable across therapeutic areas, including oncology, metabolic, infectious, and CNS disorders. Their versatility and well-understood pharmacokinetics make them a preferred choice for repurposing, offering broad clinical utility and commercial appeal.
North America Drug Repurposing Market accounted for 48.2% share in 2024, led by the U.S., which benefits from a robust regulatory framework supporting drug repurposing. The FDA’s 505(b)(2) pathway enables companies to reference existing safety and efficacy data for new indications, significantly reducing development time and costs. This regulatory flexibility has encouraged both pharmaceutical and biotech firms to invest heavily in repurposing strategies, fostering innovation and accelerating market growth.
Key players operating in the Global Drug Repurposing Market include Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Company, Amgen, AbbVie, Novartis, Pharnext, GlaxoSmithKline, Schwarz Pharma, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Cyclica, Pfizer, Melior Discovery, Sanofi, and Valence Discovery. Companies in the drug repurposing market are adopting multiple strategies to strengthen their market presence and expand their footprint. They are heavily investing in research and development to identify new therapeutic applications for existing drugs and optimize clinical trial efficiency. Strategic collaborations and partnerships with biotech firms, academic institutions, and research organizations help accelerate the discovery and validation of repurposed compounds.
Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast
- Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape
- Competitive landscape with Porter’s Five Forces and PESTEL analysis
- Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts
- In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis
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Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
The companies featured in this Drug Repurposing market report include:- AbbVie
- Amgen
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Cyclica
- Eli Lilly and Company
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Melior Discovery
- Novartis
- Pfizer
- Pharnext
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals
- Revolution Medicines
- Sanofi
- Schwarz Pharma
- Valence Discovery
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 140 |
| Published | November 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2034 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 32.6 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 51.1 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 4.7% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 16 |


