Constrained peptides, developed through innovative technologies, such as novel drug delivery systems and peptide mimetics and modification, address the shortcomings of endogenous peptides. These novel peptides exhibit enhanced stability, potency, and target selectivity, making them attractive for drug development.

Due to these properties, pharmaceutical companies and biotech manufacturers are showing a growing interest in constrained peptides, which is attracting investments and collaborations in the market, driving growth.

According to data insights from BIS Research, the global constrained peptide drugs market is anticipated to be $0.06 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $17.38 billion in 2040, growing at a CAGR of 38.94% during the forecast period 2025-2040.

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This article explores the growing potential of constrained peptide drugs market, presenting new treatment options for various diseases.

Growing Potential of Constrained Peptide Drugs Market

1.    Technological Advancements

The development of innovative techniques for peptide synthesis has resulted in the production of more complex and diverse peptide structures with higher purity and yield. Consequently, novel constrained peptide drugs with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties have been made possible.

Another notable trend in the market is the emergence of peptide drug delivery systems. Various innovative technologies, such as nanocarriers, liposomes, and microneedles, have been developed to overcome challenges associated with administering peptide drugs, such as limited bioavailability, rapid clearance, and systemic toxicity.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is anticipated to significantly impact the constrained peptide drugs market. AI and ML can aid in the design and optimization of peptide drug candidates, prediction of drug efficacy and toxicity, and acceleration of drug discovery and development processes. These technologies have the potential to reduce both time and cost in bringing new constrained peptide drugs to market.

2.    Enhanced Pharmacological Properties

In recent years, constrained peptides have emerged as a solution to overcome challenges associated with protein-protein interactions that were traditionally considered difficult to target. Constrained peptides, particularly those with a helical conformation, offer distinct advantages over non-constrained peptides, including improved stability, enhanced cellular penetration, and increased affinity. By employing constrained peptides, researchers can develop inhibitors that specifically target protein-protein interactions, utilizing preorganized peptides to mitigate the entropic cost of binding.

Different methods, including lactam bridges, hydrocarbon linkages, and disulfides, have been utilized to constrain peptides. Constrained peptides with defined active conformations exhibit high affinity, structural balance, and resistance to protease degradation, thereby enhancing their pharmacological properties.

Moreover, the ability of constrained peptides to control the three-dimensional shape offers opportunities to design compounds with predictable cell penetration, expanding their potential in targeting intracellular processes.

3.    Development of Synthetic Constraining Methods

Innovative technologies, including chemical and hybrid approaches, have facilitated the discovery of diverse synthetic peptides. Modern techniques such as termini protection, non-chemical residue identification, amino acid substitution, backbone modification, and computational methods have fueled research on constrained peptides. Chemical modifications enhancing specificity, stability, and affinity have propelled interest in peptide biotherapeutics.

Key innovations include solid-phase synthesis, phage display libraries, and computational prediction, offering the stability of small molecules combined with antibody-like selectivity and potency.

4.    Addressing Limitations of Traditional Peptides

5.    Strategic Collaborations Between Pharmaceutical Companies

As announced on March 28, 2023, Novartis, a Swiss multinational, joined Bicycle Therapeutics in leveraging peptide technology for radioconjugates, investing $50 million upfront and an additional $1.7 billion in the future of the collaboration. The partnership focuses on developing Bicycle radio-conjugates (BRCs) for undisclosed oncology targets.

Moreover, in May 2023, Bayer, a German multinational pharmaceutical company, collaborated with Bicycle Therapeutics with a $45 million upfront payment. Bayer will oversee and finance all development stages, potentially reaching a total payout of $1.7 billion, including milestone fees. Bicycle's phage platform would be utilized to discover and develop bicyclic peptides targeting multiple undisclosed oncology targets.

Osaka-based Ono Pharmaceutical disclosed on March 15, 2023, that it has engaged in a collaborative drug discovery agreement with PeptiDream located in Kanagawa, Japan. The collaboration aims to identify and advance novel macrocyclic-constrained peptide drugs targeting various targets of interest to Ono.

The companies such as Protagonist Therapeutics Inc and Spexis AG are attracting investors with successful orally administered peptide-based products.

Conclusion

The constrained peptide drugs market is expected to experience significant growth globally from the year 2025 to 2040, leading to a market size of $17.38 billion. This growth is primarily driven by the emergence of a new and diverse pipeline of constrained peptides that target beyond receptors.

Advancements in chemical technologies, the successful therapeutic outcomes of synthetic peptides in the market, and their affordability in treating various diseases are additional factors contributing to the projected growth during the forecast period.

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