RNA Targeting Small Molecule Drug Discovery Global Market Report 2024

The rna targeting small molecule drug discovery market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.45 billion in 2023 to $1.78 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be ascribed to a heightened comprehension of disease genetics, discoveries in genomics and proteomics, challenges related to drug resistance, substantial investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, and the emergence of RNA therapeutics.

The rna targeting small molecule drug discovery market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.97 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.2%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be linked to the expansion of research in RNA epigenetics, advancements in RNA-seq and functional genomics, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), patient-centric approaches, and the utilization of exosome-mediated drug delivery. Notable trends expected in the forecast period encompass the emergence of RNA editing technologies, progress in CRISPR technology, technological innovations, advancements in RNA biology, and the exploration of RNA targeting in neurodegenerative diseases.

The anticipated growth in the RNA-targeted small-molecule drug discovery market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cancer, genetic disorders, and viral infections. Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, and viral infections, caused by replicating viruses within living organisms, are targeted by RNA-based drug discovery due to their association with genetic abnormalities. For instance, the American Cancer Society projects a 47% increase in new cancer cases and deaths by 2040, totaling approximately 28.4 million cases. Additionally, in 2021, the World Health Organization reported around 38.4 million people living with HIV and 650,000 deaths attributed to HIV. This highlights the significance of RNA-targeted approaches in addressing such health challenges.

The growth of the RNA-targeted small-molecule drug discovery market is fueled by the rising interest in personalized medicine. Personalized medicine tailors medical decisions, interventions, and drug therapies to individual patients. In the context of RNA targeting, personalized medicines can offer higher specificity, minimizing off-target effects and catering to individual genetic variations. A report by STAT indicates over 75,000 genetic testing products and 300 personalized medicines in existence as of October 2022, underscoring the increasing emphasis on personalized approaches in healthcare. Hence, the surge in personalized medicine interest contributes to the expansion of the RNA-targeted small-molecule drug discovery market.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into drug discovery processes is a prominent trend in the small-molecule drug discovery market. Major companies within the market are embracing AI technology to expedite drug discovery procedures and maintain their competitive positions. For example, in May 2023, Google Cloud, the cloud computing suite of the US-based technology company Google, introduced the Target and Lead Identification Suite and Multiomics Suite to streamline drug discovery. The Multiomics Suite facilitates the identification and analysis of genetic data, aiding in the design of precision medicines. The Target and Lead Identification Suite supports researchers in comprehending the role of amino acids and predicting protein structures.

Companies in the RNA-targeting small-molecule drug discovery market are innovating by developing platforms such as software-as-a-service (SaaS) to enhance their competitiveness. SaaS is a software distribution model where applications are hosted by a third-party provider and made accessible to customers over the internet. In December 2023, Merck & Co. Inc., a US-based science and technology company, launched AIDDISON, a platform that recommends optimal ways to synthesize selected medications. This AI-driven approach aims to bring significant cost savings to the drug discovery process and improve the success rate of introducing novel medicines. AIDDISON integrates computer-aided drug design, machine learning, and generative AI to accelerate medication development by extracting insights from large datasets.

In December 2021, Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company, acquired Dicerna Pharmaceuticals for $3.3 billion. This acquisition incorporated Dicerna's ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) platform into Novo's research tools, enhancing their capabilities in RNA-based drug discovery for the development of novel therapeutics. Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, based in the United States, has been actively involved in RNA-based drug discovery.

Major companies operating in the rna targeting small molecule drug discovery market report are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd , Merck & Co. Inc, Bayer AG, Novartis AG, Sanofi SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca PLC, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Amgen Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Moderna Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Biogen Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics Inc., Evotec A.G., PTC Therapeutics Inc., Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc., Arrakis Therapeutics, Arbutus Biopharma Corporation, H3 Biomedicine Inc., Anima Biotech Inc., Ribometrix Inc., Quark Pharmaceuticals Inc., Regulus Therapeutics Inc., Skyhawk Therapeutics Inc., Accent Therapeutics Inc., Epics Therapeutics, Expansion Therapeutics.

North America was the largest region in the RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market in 2023. The regions covered in the rna targeting small molecule drug discovery market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rna targeting small molecule drug discovery market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary RNA types in the realm of RNA targeting small-molecule drug discovery, are messenger RNA (mRNA), non-coding RNA (ncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Messenger RNA (mRNA) serves as the carrier of genetic information from the DNA in the cell's nucleus to the ribosomes, where protein synthesis takes place. Various technologies, such as CRISPR-cas9, RNA aptamers, small interfering RNA (siRNA), ribozymes, and others, are employed across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, genetic conditions, and more. Delivery methods encompass intravenous (IV), oral, topical, and others, with applications in research, therapeutics, diagnostics, and various other uses.

The RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market statistics, including RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market share, detailed RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery industry. This RNA-targeting small molecule drug discovery market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing hit identification, hit validation, and hit characterization. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The RNA targeting small molecule drug discovery market also includes sales of asRNAs, and siRNAs. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.


The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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