Pipeline Potential: Small-Molecule Drugs

Matthew Arnold, Principal Analyst and Content Strategist, Clarivate

New drug classes–proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders–are potentially a new source of product innovation for small-molecule drugs in their ability to reach previously “undruggable” drug targets. There have been several large deals among the bio/pharma majors and smaller innovator companies, with one drug candidate recently gaining FDA approval. What is the market potential and both the promise and limitations of these drug classes? Matthew Arnold, Principal Analyst and Content Strategist, Clarivate, provides the latest insights.

Each episode of the Production to Prescription podcast is housed on the DCAT Value Chain Insights website and also delivered through DCAT Value Chain Insights weekly email digest. Not a subscriber? Click here to subscribe to DCAT Value Chain Insights, or get each episode through: 

For a full list of the 2026 podcast episode schedule, click here.

You May Also Like

Biomanufacturing: Capacity Trends & CDMO Insights

By
Sponsored by Lonza AG What is the state-of-the state for biomanufacturing (drug substance) in terms of industry capacity utilization, in-sourced/outsourced activity, and technology drivers? Is capacity in line with demand…

Beyond ADCs: Next-Generation Drug Conjugates

By
Sponsored by Lonza AG Next-generation complex conjugates, such as peptide conjugates, radioconjugates, ligand-conjugated antisense medicines, and small-molecule drug conjugates, are expected to outpace growth comparative to antibody drug conjugates (ADCs),…

New Excipient Products: Are They Coming?

By
Innovation in excipients is important to optimize a drug formulation, but there are barriers to innovation, including regulatory barriers, which excipient manufacturers and users are seeking to address. Providing the…

CDMO Outlook: Small Molecules—What Lies Ahead?

By
Sponsored by Vetter As the industry reaches the mid-point in 2026, how are CDMOs of small-molecule drugs faring? The larger scale CDMOs with late-phase and/or commercial-scale capabilities are faring well…