PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1811024
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1811024
Semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing refers to a specialized pharmaceutical service where a third-party manufacturer is hired to produce medicinal formulations with intermediate consistency on behalf of another company. This setup enables the hiring company to outsource the manufacturing process while concentrating on primary functions such as research or marketing.
The primary categories of semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing include topical, transdermal, and oral. Topical semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing entails the external production of products like creams, gels, or ointments that are designed for direct application to the skin. It involves the use of various materials, including synthetic, natural, and bio-based, and caters to companies of all sizes-large, medium, small, and others. Its applications span across areas such as dermatology, pain relief, hormonal treatment, wound healing, eye disorders, and more, serving a range of end users including pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical companies, among others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the healthcare sector, particularly in the supply of critical medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Hospitals and healthcare providers are facing higher costs for imported surgical instruments, imaging equipment, and consumables such as syringes and catheters, many of which have limited domestic alternatives. These increased costs are straining healthcare budgets, leading some providers to delay equipment upgrades or pass on expenses to patients. Additionally, tariffs on raw materials and components are disrupting the production of essential drugs and devices, causing supply chain bottlenecks. In response, the industry is diversifying sourcing strategies, boosting local manufacturing where possible, and advocating for tariff exemptions on life-saving medical products.
The semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market statistics, including semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market share, detailed semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing industry. This semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing 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 semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $16.23 billion in 2024 to $17.97 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The growth during the historic period can be credited to the expansion of the geriatric population, rising global healthcare spending, increased demand for hormone replacement therapies, heightened awareness of skincare health, and the development of biologics and biosimilars in topical formulations.
The semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The anticipated growth during the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing demand for dermatological treatments, a growing prevalence of chronic skin conditions, the expansion of generic drug manufacturing, the cost-effectiveness of contract manufacturing, and a rising preference for topical drug delivery. Key trends expected during this period include progress in formulation technologies, the need for adaptable manufacturing capacity, the adoption of quality-by-design methodologies, technological advancements in semi-solid processing equipment, and an increasing demand for accelerated drug development.
The increasing prevalence of skin diseases is expected to drive the growth of the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market. Skin diseases are conditions that impact the skin's appearance or function and can result in symptoms such as irritation, inflammation, or abnormal skin growths. This rise in skin disorders is largely attributed to growing environmental pollution, which compromises the skin's protective barrier, making it more susceptible to sensitivities, allergic reactions, and chronic issues. Contract manufacturing of semi-solid dosage forms plays a critical role in addressing these conditions by producing high-quality, precisely formulated topical treatments that support skin health. For example, in February 2023, Cancer Research UK reported that the average annual number of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK is projected to rise from around 20,800 in 2023-2025 to approximately 26,500 by 2038-2040. This surge in skin disease incidence is contributing to the expansion of the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market.
Key companies in the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market are making strategic investments to enter new markets and drive innovation. Strategic investments are long-term financial decisions that aim to enhance a company's core operations, support future growth, or strengthen competitive positioning. For example, in March 2025, LGM Pharma, a US-based provider of contract manufacturing services for semi-solid dosage forms, announced an investment of over $6 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Rosenberg, Texas. This initiative is intended to increase production capacity for liquid, suspension, semi-solid, and suppository drug formulations in response to rising demand for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The expansion supports LGM Pharma's continued growth in prescription drug development, including 505(b)(2) and ANDA programs. The Rosenberg site will remain operational throughout the upgrade while maintaining full compliance with FDA standards and current good manufacturing practices.
In June 2024, Aterian Investment Partners, a US-based private equity firm, acquired Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited Canada for an undisclosed sum. Following the acquisition, CPL is poised to enter a new phase of development by enhancing its talent, technological infrastructure, and operational capabilities. This acquisition strengthens CPL's ability to provide value and reinforces its position as a reliable global partner for pharmaceutical companies. Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited is a Canada-based company specializing in the contract manufacturing of semi-solid dosage forms.
Major players in the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market are Eurofins Scientific SE, The Lubrizol Corporation, Grunenthal, Recipharm AB, Piramal Pharma Solutions Inc., Cambrex Corporation, Sharp Services, ANI Pharmaceuticals, Pierre Fabre SA, Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited, DPT Laboratories Ltd., Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mission Pharmacal Co., Pace Analytical Life Sciences LLC, Bora Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Ascendia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Fermion Oy, Ferndale Pharma Group, Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Aphena Pharma Solutions Inc., Eubioco LLC, LGM Pharma LLC, Madras Pharmaceuticals, Quality CDMO, and Axxelent Pharma Science.
North America was the largest region in the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as process development, formulation support, analytical method development, and quality control testing. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market also includes sales of medicated balms, moisturizing agents, lubricating agents, and skin repair agents. 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.
Semi-Solid Dosage Contract Manufacturing Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The semi-solid dosage contract manufacturing market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.