Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Report Scope & Overview:

The semi-solid dosage CDMO market size was valued at USD 34.42 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 85.19 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.02% over the forecast period of 2025-2032. 

The global semi-solid dosage CDMO market is mainly driven by cost advantage, research and development outsourcing trends in pharma and biotech industries to access specialized expertise in the field, and the ability to expand production with minimal capital investment. The market further benefits over the migration towards advanced complex formulations encompassing multi-drug, nano-based, and enhanced penetration systems, which necessitate technologies to manufacture, including continuous manufacturing.

For instance, in October 2024, Informa Pharma Intelligence reported an 11% YoY growth in complex semi-solid formulations, with nano-based creams and transdermal patches showing the fastest market expansion.

Key Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Trends

• Expansion into complex formulations: Increasing development of advanced semi-solid dosage forms, including gels, creams, ointments, and transdermal systems for niche therapeutic areas like dermatology and chronic care.

• Use of innovative excipients and formulation technologies: Adoption of novel polymers, penetration enhancers, and rheology modifiers to improve stability, bioavailability, and patient compliance.

• Integration of AI and computational tools: Employing predictive modeling, high-throughput formulation screening, and in silico stability testing to accelerate product development timelines and optimize formulations.

• Focus on personalized and patient-centric therapies: Development of tailored semi-solid formulations considering patient-specific needs, including pediatric, geriatric, or dermatological sensitivities.

• Collaborations across pharma, biotech, and CDMOs: Strategic partnerships for co-development, licensing, technology transfer, and large-scale manufacturing to enhance market reach and regulatory compliance.

• Adoption of novel delivery platforms: Exploration of advanced semi-solid platforms like nanoparticle-loaded creams, hydrogel-based topical systems, and sustained-release ointments to improve efficacy and convenience.

• Growing pipeline, regulatory support, and market confidence: Increasing semi-solid product launches supported by robust clinical trials, improved regulatory frameworks, and stronger confidence in CDMO capabilities.

Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Report Highlights

The U.S. semi-solid dosage CDMO market was valued at USD 12.09 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 29.53 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.83% over 2025-2032. The U.S. leads in the semi-solid dosage CDMO market owing to a large number of pharmaceutical players, advanced R&D infrastructure, and higher outsourcing adoption. Besides, there are several FDA-approved semi-solid manufacturers in the country, which results in high realization of global regulatory compliance. In the US, demand for dermatology, pain management, and transdermal therapies is likely to remain robust, coupled with high generic drug penetration and strong biotech funding, making it the favored destination for innovation and large-scale semi-solid manufacturing partnerships prevalent in other regions.

Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Growth Drivers:

• Pharma & Biotech Outsourcing Trend is Driving the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Growth

The rising pharma and biotech outsourcing trend is the chief factor driving the global semi-solid dosage CDMO market share, as companies seek to slash operational costs, avoid investment in infrastructure, and tap into specialized formulation expertise. The semi-solid dosage CDMO market trends in Large and mid-tier drug makers are partnering with semi-solid dosage CDMOs to secure GMP compliance, scale up faster, and be ready for global regulatory inspection.

For instance, in September 2024, PhRMA found 78% of mid-to-large pharma firms outsourced semi-solid production, reflecting a rising Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market trend.

Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Restraints:

• Formulation Stability Challenges are Hampering the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Growth

Formulation stability challenges hold back the semi-solid dosage CDMO market analysis, as creams, gels, and ointments are prone to physical separation, viscosity changes, and degradation of active ingredients. This causes marketing complications, reduces shelf life, and lengthens the research and development timeline, often requiring reformulation, advanced excipients, or specialty packaging, which can increase cost pressure and program delays in launching a product.

Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Opportunities:

• Specialized And Personalized Formulations Drive Future Growth Opportunities for the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market

The potential is provided for customized treatments relevant to the proteomic and genetic backgrounds of individual patients through TPD-based therapeutics. Through targeting the proteins that truly drive disease, TPD can offer highly selective interventions, cut off-target damage, and deliver better treatments. These individualised strategies could facilitate precision medicine in cancer, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases, and lead to improved patient response and safety.

For instance, in June 2024, 32% of semi-solid products under development targeted pediatric and geriatric patients, highlighting growth in personalized formulations for specific age and sensitivity needs.

Key Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Segment Analysis

• By product, creams and lotions held the largest share of around 42.87%in 2024, and the ointments segment is expected to register the highest growth with a CAGR of 12.70%.

• By route of administration, the topical segment dominated the market with approximately 85.53% share in 2024, while transdermal is expected to register the highest growth with a CAGR of 12.97%.

• By service, contract manufacturing accounted for the leading share of nearly 69.92% in 2024, while contract development is expected to register the highest growth with a CAGR of 12.40%.

• By end user, the pharmaceutical companies segment led the market with about 42.80% share in 2024, while the biopharmaceutical companies segment is forecasted to grow the fastest at a CAGR of 12.84%.

By Product, Creams and Lotions Lead the Market, While Ointments Register Fastest Growth

The creams and lotions segment accounted for the highest revenue share of approximately 42.87% in 2024, as they have been extensively used in dermatology, cosmetics, and therapeutics due to providing patient-friendly non-invasive deliveries. Large-scale outsourcing, driven by high demand for OTC skincare, prescription dermatology treatments, and cosmetic cosmeceuticals. In comparison, the ointments segment is anticipated to achieve the highest CAGR of nearly 12.70% during the 2025–2032 period, driven by their predominantly occlusive properties, which are well-suited to chronically compromised skin and wound care, and for drug delivery with extended skin exposure.

By Route of Administration, the Topical Segment dominates, while the Transdermal Segment Shows Rapid Growth

The topical segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 85.53% in 2024, due to extensive use in dermatology, pain management, and cosmetic applications, and patient demand for localized non-invasive treatments. Increased OTC skincare, prescription dermatology drugs, and advanced transdermal delivery systems demand drives the outsourcing trends. On the other hand, the transdermal segment is predicted to grow at the strongest CAGR of approximately 12.97% during 2025–2032, as it slowly releases the drug into the body and can help adherence to therapy while reducing systemic effects of a drug.

By Service, Contract Manufacturing Segment Lead, While Contract Development Registers Fastest Growth

The contract manufacturing segment accounted for the largest share of the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market with about 69.92%, owing to pharmaceutical and biotech companies turning to third-party firms for manufacturing services in order to lower operational expenses, reduce the need for building new facilities, and tap into specialized formulation technology. In addition, the contract development segment is slated to grow at the fastest rate with a CAGR of around 12.40% throughout the forecast period of 2025–2032, as more traditional formulation expertise, stability optimization, and cutting-edge drug delivery innovation all demand specialized focus. Demand for Pharma & biotech to partner with CDMOs for complete end-to-end R&D. 

By End User, Pharmaceutical Companies Segment Lead, While the Biopharmaceutical Companies Segment Grows the Fastest

The pharmaceutical companies segment held the largest revenue share of around 42.80% in the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market in 2024, with their broad-based product pipelines in dermatology, pain management, and transdermal therapies that create high-volume outsourcing requirements. They need to save costs and time-to-market while adhering to the strict FDA and EMA guidelines & regulations. On the flip side, the biopharmaceutical companies segment, however, is projected to register the highest CAGR of around 12.84% during the forecast period of 2025 - 2032, as they specialize in advanced drug delivery, including biologic-embedded topicals and transdermal patches. Intensified CDMO outsourcing in specialized R&D and manufacturing competencies creates exigency and brings sustenance to the competitive intermediate phase.

Asia Pacific Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Insights

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing segment in the semi-solid dosage CDMO market with a CAGR of 12.91%, driven by burgeoning pharmaceutical industry growth, improved outsourcing over global drug makers, and competitive costs of production. Countries including India, China, and South Korea are spending a lot on GMP-certified semi-solid manufacturing facilities, which is attracting local and foreign clients to these regions. The occurrence of dermatological disorders on a global level, the extension of generic drug markets, and the increased adoption of OTC skincare & therapeutic products by the rising middle-class will continue to boost sales. A combination of government incentives, ready availability of skilled labour, and innovation in formulation technologies, including nano-based delivery systems and enhanced penetration systems, is further contributing to the capability building in the region.

North America Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Insights

North America accounted for the highest revenue share of approximately 41.72% in 2024 of the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market, owing to the presence of a robust pharmaceutical and biotech ecosystem, extensive outsourcing uptake, and numerous FDA-approved manufacturing plants. Other positives are its strong and well-developed R&D infrastructure, heavy investment in dermatology and transdermal therapies, and excellent generic penetration. With lenient regulatory norms, robust intellectual property protection, and increasing consumer demand for OTC and prescription semi-solid products in bulk quantities, North America continues to remain at the top of the table on account of enhanced prevalence of innovation-led large-scale semi-solid contract manufacturing deals.

Europe Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Insights

Europe is holding the second-largest market share of the semi-solid dosage CDMO market due to its well-established pharmaceutical manufacturing base, the presence of GMP-certified facilities, and the high prevalence rate of dermatological diseases and expertise in dermatology and transdermal drug delivery. Strength of the market is buoyed by the combination of advantageous regulation alignment across the EU, high demand in branded and generic semi-solids, and increasing use of CDMOs by domestic and international pharma companies to support innovation, with Germany, France, Italy, and the UK home to some bio/pharma-focused CDMOs relevant for small MedTech firms.

Latin America (LATAM) and Middle East & Africa (MEA) Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Insights

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) are evolving as potential growth regions of the semi-solid dosage CDMO market. The increasing incidence of dermatological and chronic diseases, along with growing regulatory guidelines and outsourcing of pharmaceutical services, is driving demand. Brazil, Mexico, the UAE and Saudi Arabia lead in terms of contract activity. CDMOs are using these areas for economical manufacturing and to grow in the market and reach underserved patients.

Competitive Landscape for the Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market:

Recipharm is a leading global CDMO specializing in semi-solid and oral dosage forms, offering end-to-end development, manufacturing, and regulatory support, with strong presence in Europe and North America.

• In March 2025, Recipharm expanded its semi-solid manufacturing capacity in Germany, adding advanced gel and cream production lines to support growing dermatology and chronic care demand.

Thermo Fisher provides integrated contract development and manufacturing services, leveraging advanced technologies, formulation expertise, and regulatory compliance to support pharmaceutical clients in semi-solid and other dosage forms globally.

• In August 2024, Thermo Fisher launched a new semi-solid formulation development platform in the US, integrating AI-driven predictive modeling to accelerate product optimization and reduce time-to-market.

Aenova is a major CDMO delivering high-quality semi-solid products, including creams, ointments, and gels, with capabilities in formulation development, manufacturing, and packaging, serving global pharmaceutical and consumer health markets.

• In November 2024, Aenova partnered with a European biotech firm to co-develop sustained-release semi-solid formulations, focusing on nanoparticle and hydrogel delivery systems for patient-centric therapies.

Semi-Solid Dosage CDMO Market Key Players:

Some of the medical suction device market companies are:

• Recipharm

• Thermo Fisher Scientific

• Aenova Group

• Fareva

• Famar

• Delpharm

• NextPharma

• Cambrex

• LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme

• Kindeva Drug Delivery

• Lubrizol Life Science Health

• Evonik Health Care

• MedPharm

• Tergus Pharma

• SGS Quay Pharma

• UPM Pharmaceuticals

• Aphena Pharma Solutions

• CoreRx

• Tiofarma

• Perrigo