The topical drugs cdmo market global market size is expected to reach USD 125.42 billion by 2034, according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report "Topical Drugs CDMO Market Size, Share, Trends, & Industry Analysis Report By Formulation (Semi-solid Formulations, Liquid Formulations, Solid Formulations, and Transdermal Products), By Service, By End Use, By Region - Market Forecast, 2025-2034" gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.
The topical drugs CDMO market refers to specialized companies that provide comprehensive services for the development, formulation, and production of pharmaceutical products designed to be applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes. These services span the entire lifecycle of a topical drug, from initial research and development to the large-scale manufacturing of commercial products. Essentially, CDMOs act as crucial partners for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, helping them bring a wide array of topical medications to market efficiently and in compliance with strict regulatory standards.
The increasing global prevalence of various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne, fuels the demand for innovative topical treatments. This, in turn, leads pharmaceutical companies to rely on CDMOs for their specialized expertise in formulating and producing complex topical medications, including mucosal drugs. Additionally, the growing trend of outsourcing within the pharmaceutical industry, driven by cost-efficiency and the need for flexible manufacturing capabilities, further boosts the demand for topical drugs CDMO services.
Topical Drugs CDMO Market Report Highlights
By formulation, the semi-solid formulations segment held the largest share in 2024 due to their widespread use across various therapeutic areas such as dermatology, pain management, and anti-infectives.
Based on service, the contract manufacturing segment dominated the market in 2024, as pharmaceutical companies increasingly outsource the actual production of their topical drugs to leverage specialized expertise, reduce operational costs, and benefit from scalable manufacturing capabilities.
By end use, the pharmaceutical companies segment held the largest share in 2024 as they consistently develop and commercialize a broad portfolio of topical drugs, from over-the-counter to prescription medications.
By region, Asia Pacific held the largest share of the topical drugs CDMO market in 2024. This is primarily attributed to cost-effectiveness in manufacturing, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and growing pharmaceutical industries in countries such as China and India, making it an attractive hub for global outsourcing of topical drug production.
A few key players in the market include The Lubrizol Corporation (Lubrizol Life Science), Cambrex Corporation, Lonza Group AG, Catalent Inc., Recipharm AB, Pierre Fabre S.A., Piramal Pharma Solutions, PCI Pharma Services, MedPharm Ltd., Tergus Pharma, and Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Polaris Market Research has segmented the topical drugs CDMO market report based on formulation, service, end use, and region:
By Formulation Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2020-2034)
Semi-solid Formulations
Creams
Ointments
Gel
Others
Liquid Formulations
Solid Formulations
Transdermal Products
By Service Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2020-2034)
Contract Development
Contract Manufacturing
By End Use Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2020-2034)
Pharmaceutical Companies
Biopharmaceutical Companies
Others
By Regional Outlook (Revenue - USD Billion, 2020-2034)
North America
US
Canada
Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
Malaysia
South Korea
Indonesia
Australia
Vietnam
Rest of Asia Pacific
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Israel
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
Latin America
Mexico
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of Latin America
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
- 1.1. Report Description
- 1.1.1. Objectives of the Study
- 1.1.2. Market Scope
- 1.1.3. Assumptions
- 1.2. Stakeholders
2. Executive Summary
3. Research Methodology
- 3.1. Overview
- 3.2. Data Source
- 3.2.1. Primary Source
- 3.2.2. Secondary Source
4. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market Insights
- 4.1. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Market Snapshot
- 4.2. Topical Drugs CDMO Market Dynamics
- 4.2.1. Drivers and Opportunities
- 4.2.1.1. Increasing Prevalence of Skin Conditions
- 4.2.1.2. Growing Trend of Pharmaceutical Outsourcing
- 4.2.2. Restraints and Challenges
- 4.2.2.1. Regulatory Complexity and Stringency
- 4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate)
- 4.3.2. Threats of New Entrants: (Low)
- 4.3.3. Bargaining Power of Buyers (Moderate)
- 4.3.4. Threat of Substitute (Moderate)
- 4.3.5. Rivalry among existing firms (High)
- 4.4. PESTEL Analysis
- 4.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market Application Trends
- 4.6. Value Chain Analysis
- 4.7. COVID-19 Impact Analysis
5. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation
- 5.1. Key Findings
- 5.2. Introduction
- 5.2.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 5.3. Semi-solid Formulations
- 5.3.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Semi-solid Formulations, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 5.4. Liquid Formulations
- 5.4.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Liquid Formulations, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 5.5. Solid Formulations
- 5.5.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Solid Formulations, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 5.6. Transdermal Products
- 5.6.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Transdermal Products, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
6. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service
- 6.1. Key Findings
- 6.2. Introduction
- 6.2.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 6.3. Contract Development
- 6.3.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Contract Development, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 6.4. Contract Manufacturing
- 6.4.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Contract Manufacturing, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
7. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use
- 7.1. Key Findings
- 7.2. Introduction
- 7.2.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 7.3. Pharmaceutical Companies
- 7.3.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Pharmaceutical Companies, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 7.4. Biopharmaceutical Companies
- 7.4.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Biopharmaceutical Companies, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 7.5. Others
- 7.5.1. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Others, by Region, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
8. Global Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Geography
- 8.1. Key Findings
- 8.2. Introduction
- 8.2.1. Topical Drugs CDMO Market Assessment, By Geography, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - North America
- 8.3.1. North America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.2. North America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.3. North America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - U.S.
- 8.3.4.1. U.S.: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.4.2. U.S.: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.4.3. U.S.: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Canada
- 8.3.5.1. Canada: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.5.2. Canada: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.3.5.3. Canada: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Europe
- 8.4.1. Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.2. Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.3. Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - UK
- 8.4.4.1. UK: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.4.2. UK: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.4.3. UK: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - France
- 8.4.5.1. France: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.5.2. France: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.5.3. France: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.6. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Germany
- 8.4.6.1. Germany: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.6.2. Germany: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.6.3. Germany: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.7. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Italy
- 8.4.7.1. Italy: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.7.2. Italy: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.7.3. Italy: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.8. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Spain
- 8.4.8.1. Spain: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.8.2. Spain: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.8.3. Spain: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.9. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Netherlands
- 8.4.9.1. Netherlands: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.9.2. Netherlands: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.9.3. Netherlands: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.10. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Russia
- 8.4.10.1. Russia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.10.2. Russia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.10.3. Russia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.11. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Rest of Europe
- 8.4.11.1. Rest of Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.11.2. Rest of Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.4.11.3. Rest of Europe: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Asia Pacific
- 8.5.1. Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.2. Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.3. Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - China
- 8.5.4.1. China: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.4.2. China: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.4.3. China: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - India
- 8.5.5.1. India: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.5.2. India: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.5.3. India: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.6. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Malaysia
- 8.5.6.1. Malaysia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.6.2. Malaysia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.6.3. Malaysia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.7. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Japan
- 8.5.7.1. Japan: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.7.2. Japan: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.7.3. Japan: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.8. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Indonesia
- 8.5.8.1. Indonesia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.8.2. Indonesia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.8.3. Indonesia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.9. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - South Korea
- 8.5.9.1. South Korea: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.9.2. South Korea: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.9.3. South Korea: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.10. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Australia
- 8.5.10.1. Australia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.10.2. Australia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.10.3. Australia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.11. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Rest of Asia Pacific
- 8.5.11.1. Rest of Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.11.2. Rest of Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.5.11.3. Rest of Asia Pacific: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Middle East & Africa
- 8.6.1. Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.2. Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.3. Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Saudi Arabia
- 8.6.4.1. Saudi Arabia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.4.2. Saudi Arabia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.4.3. Saudi Arabia: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - UAE
- 8.6.5.1. UAE: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.5.2. UAE: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.5.3. UAE: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.6. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Israel
- 8.6.6.1. Israel: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.6.2. Israel: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.6.3. Israel: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.7. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - South Africa
- 8.6.7.1. South Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.7.2. South Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.7.3. South Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.8. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Rest of Middle East & Africa
- 8.6.8.1. Rest of Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.8.2. Rest of Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.6.8.3. Rest of Middle East & Africa: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Latin America
- 8.7.1. Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.2. Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.3. Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.4. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Mexico
- 8.7.4.1. Mexico: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.4.2. Mexico: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.4.3. Mexico: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.5. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Brazil
- 8.7.5.1. Brazil: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.5.2. Brazil: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.5.3. Brazil: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.6. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Argentina
- 8.7.6.1. Argentina: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.6.2. Argentina: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.6.3. Argentina: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.7. Topical Drugs CDMO Market - Rest of Latin America
- 8.7.7.1. Rest of Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Formulation, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.7.2. Rest of Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by Service, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
- 8.7.7.3. Rest of Latin America: Topical Drugs CDMO Market, by End Use, 2020-2034 (USD Billion)
9. Competitive Landscape
- 9.1. Expansion and Acquisition Analysis
- 9.1.1. Expansion
- 9.1.2. Acquisitions
- 9.2. Partnerships/Collaborations/Agreements/Exhibitions
10. Company Profiles
- 10.1. Cambrex Corporation
- 10.1.1. Company Overview
- 10.1.2. Financial Performance
- 10.1.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.1.4. Recent Development
- 10.2. Catalent Inc.
- 10.2.1. Company Overview
- 10.2.2. Financial Performance
- 10.2.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.2.4. Recent Development
- 10.3. Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited
- 10.3.1. Company Overview
- 10.3.2. Financial Performance
- 10.3.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.3.4. Recent Development
- 10.4. MedPharm Ltd.
- 10.4.1. Company Overview
- 10.4.2. Financial Performance
- 10.4.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.4.4. Recent Development
- 10.5. PCI Pharma Services
- 10.5.1. Company Overview
- 10.5.2. Financial Performance
- 10.5.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.5.4. Recent Development
- 10.6. Pierre Fabre S.A.
- 10.6.1. Company Overview
- 10.6.2. Financial Performance
- 10.6.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.6.4. Recent Development
- 10.7. Piramal Pharma Solutions
- 10.7.1. Company Overview
- 10.7.2. Financial Performance
- 10.7.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.7.4. Recent Development
- 10.8. Recipharm AB
- 10.8.1. Company Overview
- 10.8.2. Financial Performance
- 10.8.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.8.4. Recent Development
- 10.9. Tergus Pharma
- 10.9.1. Company Overview
- 10.9.2. Financial Performance
- 10.9.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.9.4. Recent Development
- 10.10. The Lubrizol Corporation (Lubrizol Life Science)
- 10.10.1. Company Overview
- 10.10.2. Financial Performance
- 10.10.3. Product Benchmarking
- 10.10.4. Recent Development