The Rise of Peptide Therapies: What Pharmaceutical Companies Need to Know
Peptide-based drugs are transforming medicine, from GLP-1 weight loss treatments to targeted cancer therapies. Learn what is driving this growth and how to source quality peptides for your formulations.
Peptides have become one of the most exciting frontiers in pharmaceutical development. These short chains of amino acids sit between small molecule drugs and large biologics, offering the specificity of proteins with improved manufacturability and delivery options.
The numbers tell the story. Over 110 peptide-based therapeutics have been approved worldwide, and the global market is projected to exceed $40 billion by 2030. For pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, understanding this landscape is no longer optional.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are molecules consisting of two or more amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They typically range from 2 to 50 amino acids in length, distinguishing them from larger proteins. In the body, peptides serve as signalling molecules, hormones, and regulators of biological processes.
What makes peptides attractive as therapeutics is their ability to bind to specific receptors with high affinity. Unlike small molecules that may interact with multiple targets, peptides can be designed for precision. This specificity often translates to fewer side effects and more predictable pharmacology.
The challenge has historically been delivery. Peptides are susceptible to enzymatic degradation in the gut, which is why most peptide drugs require injection. However, advances in formulation science including PEGylation, lipidation, and cyclization have extended peptide half-lives and improved bioavailability. Oral peptide delivery is now a reality for select compounds.
GLP-1 Agonists: The Market Leaders
No discussion of peptide therapeutics is complete without addressing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, generating unprecedented commercial success.
Semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management, exemplifies peptide innovation. By modifying the native GLP-1 hormone with fatty acid chains that bind to albumin, researchers extended its half-life from minutes to approximately one week. In 2024 alone, Novo Nordisk generated $26 billion in revenue from these products.
Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound by Eli Lilly, represents the next evolution. This dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist demonstrated 22.9% average weight loss in clinical trials and reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% in adults with prediabetes. Combined sales approached $16 billion in 2024.
The GLP-1 market is expected to grow from $64 billion in 2025 to over $170 billion by 2033. With semaglutide patents expiring in several countries starting in 2026, generic and biosimilar manufacturers are preparing to enter the market. Companies like Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon, and Sun Pharma in India, along with Sandoz in Europe, have announced plans to produce generic versions.
Beyond Weight Loss: Expanding Applications
While metabolic diseases dominate headlines, peptide therapeutics are advancing across multiple therapeutic areas.
Oncology represents a significant growth area. Tumour-homing peptides can deliver cytotoxic payloads directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) using lutetium Lu 177 dotatate has proven effective for neuroendocrine tumours. As researchers at Mayo Clinic describe it, the peptide acts as a “Trojan horse” that binds to cancer cell receptors, allowing the attached radioisotope to destroy the tumour from within.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer hope against antibiotic-resistant infections. These naturally occurring defence molecules disrupt bacterial membranes through multiple mechanisms, making resistance development difficult. Machine learning approaches have accelerated discovery, with AI systems generating viable broad-spectrum candidates in as little as 11 days.
Cardiovascular applications continue to expand. Natriuretic peptide-based therapies are being developed for heart failure, with combination drugs that inhibit peptide breakdown showing promising results in clinical trials.
Rare diseases benefit from peptide precision. Targeted therapies for conditions with limited treatment options can be developed more rapidly when the biological pathway is well understood.
Sourcing Challenges in Peptide Manufacturing
The growth of peptide therapeutics creates significant supply chain demands. Manufacturing peptides at pharmaceutical grade requires specialised capabilities that not all suppliers possess.
Synthesis complexity varies dramatically. Short peptides of 10 to 15 amino acids can be produced relatively straightforwardly using solid-phase synthesis. Longer sequences or those containing unusual amino acids require more sophisticated techniques and quality controls.
Purity requirements are stringent. Therapeutic peptides typically require purity levels exceeding 95%, with some applications demanding 99% or higher. Achieving and verifying these specifications requires advanced analytical capabilities.
Regulatory documentation must accompany every batch. Drug Master Files, Certificates of Analysis, stability data, and process validation records are essential for regulatory submissions. Gaps in documentation can delay product development by months or years.
Scale-up challenges emerge as candidates progress from discovery to clinical trials to commercial production. A supplier capable of producing milligram quantities for research may lack the infrastructure for kilogram-scale GMP manufacturing.
Cold chain requirements apply to many peptide intermediates and finished products. Temperature excursions during shipping can degrade product quality, making logistics as important as manufacturing.
How Osuo Global Supports Peptide Sourcing
For pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing peptide therapeutics, managing this complexity internally is often impractical. This is where a specialised sourcing partner adds value.
At Osuo Global, we work with companies across the peptide development lifecycle to simplify procurement while maintaining quality standards.
Verified manufacturer network. We maintain relationships with peptide synthesis facilities worldwide, from custom research suppliers to large-scale GMP manufacturers. Every partner in our network has been assessed for technical capability, regulatory compliance, and quality system maturity.
Specification matching. Whether you need standard sequences or complex modified peptides, we identify suppliers with the specific expertise your project requires. This includes unusual amino acids, cyclic structures, lipid conjugates, and PEGylated variants.
Documentation coordination. Regulatory paperwork is handled as part of our service. We ensure that Certificates of Analysis, stability data, and supporting documentation meet your quality and regulatory requirements.
Supply continuity planning. Peptide supply chains can be vulnerable to disruption. We help clients establish backup sourcing options and manage inventory strategically to prevent development delays.
Single point of contact. Rather than managing relationships with multiple international suppliers, you work with one team that understands your requirements and coordinates on your behalf.
The Path Forward
Peptide therapeutics are no longer a niche category. They represent a mainstream and rapidly expanding segment of the pharmaceutical industry. The success of GLP-1 agonists has demonstrated that peptide drugs can achieve blockbuster status, attracting investment and talent to the field.
For companies entering or expanding in this space, the sourcing decisions made today will shape development timelines and commercial outcomes for years to come. Quality peptide supply is not a commodity. It requires partners who understand the technical requirements, regulatory landscape, and logistical challenges unique to this drug class.
If you are developing peptide-based therapeutics or considering entry into this market, we would welcome a conversation about how Osuo Global can support your sourcing needs.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
