Custom synthesis (CDMO): Production route
Small molecules, biologics or peptides: why each CDMO picks a lane
What this tab covers How it is made: the main production routes or, for product families, the main product types and technologies, compared on share of supply, inputs per tonne, plant scale, yield, co-products and unit cost.CDMOs differ by what they make and how much. The main types are small-molecule API CDMOs (Lonza, Siegfried, Divi's, Laurus, Cohance, Asymchem), integrated CRO-CDMOs that start from discovery (WuXi AppTec, Syngene), biologics CDMOs (Samsung Biologics, WuXi Biologics, Fujifilm), and niche specialists in peptides, oligos and high-potency APIs (Bachem, CordenPharma, Piramal). Margins depend on asset utilisation, the share of commercial versus clinical work, and long-term contracts.
Routes compared
| Route | Share of supply | Inputs per tonne | Typical scale | Yield | Co-products | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-molecule API CDMO | about 62% of CDMO market by molecule type (Mordor 2025) | PMI 168-308 kg per kg API (indicative) | Laurus 8,200 kL reactor volume (FY26) | not applicable | solvent waste | EBITDA margins: Lonza small molecules 41.8% (2025), Divi's 32.6% (FY26), Laurus 26.8% (FY26, group) |
| Integrated CRO-CDMO | not published | not applicable | WuXi AppTec RMB 45.45 billion revenue (2025); Syngene Rs 3,739 crore (FY26) | not applicable | not applicable | Syngene EBITDA margin 25% (FY26) |
| Biologics CDMO | about 38% (derived) | not applicable | Samsung Biologics KRW 4.557 trillion revenue (2025) | not applicable | single-use plastics | very high capex per litre |
| Peptide, oligo and HPAPI specialists | not published | PMI 4,300-13,000 kg per kg (indicative) | Bachem CHF 695 million sales (2025) | not applicable | solvent waste | Bachem EBITDA margin 30.9% (2025) |
How each route works
Small-molecule API CDMOMultipurpose GMP reactor trains run customer processes in campaigns, from intermediates to final API. Revenue comes from per-kg supply prices and development fees.
sticky contracts; lumpy as products launch or fail
Lonza FY2025; BoB on Divi's; Laurus FY26 Integrated CRO-CDMODiscovery chemistry and biology services feed development and manufacturing. Large scientist headcount, high asset turnover.
early access to molecules; exposed to biotech funding
GEN (2026); Syngene Q4 FY26 release Biologics CDMOMammalian cell culture in large stainless-steel or single-use bioreactors, purification and fill-finish.
high growth; capital-heavy
GEN (2026) Peptide, oligo and HPAPI specialistsSPPS, LPPS and oligo synthesisers; contained suites for potent compounds and ADC payloads.
GLP-1 driven boom; capacity race
Bachem FY2025 Unit economics are indicative ranges from the sources named; costs move with feedstock and energy prices, plant size and region.