Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Excipient Type (Oils, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils, GMCC (Glyceryl Monostearate), Hard Fats, and Others), By Product Applications (Oral Formulations, Parenteral, Topical Formulations, Ophthalmic Applications, and Others), By Industry Application (Pharmaceutical (OTC & Rx) and Nutraceutical (Dietary Supplements & Others)), By End-Use (Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), and Other End Users), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035.

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Size Was Estimated at USD 1.75 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 4.53% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 2.85 Billion by 2035
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights and Consulting, the global pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market size was worth around USD 1.75 Billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 2.85 Billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.53% from 2025 and 2035. The market for pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients has a number of opportunities to grow due to the ongoing development of lipid-based formulations.

Market Overview

The Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Size is a sector of the pharmaceutical industry focused on lipid-based inactive ingredients (excipients) used to improve drug delivery. The lipid-based excipients used in the pharmaceutical industry aid in enhancing the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of drugs, as well as controlling drug release in the body. They are derived from natural sources like vegetable oils and animal fats, or are synthesized in the laboratory. Further, their bioavailability and biodegradability make them suitable for use in drug delivery systems.

Innovation and market expansion are anticipated as a result of major players' growing R&D expenditures for promoting innovation for new drug development. The surging development of nanoparticles for a broad range of clinical applications is contributing to a significant surge in the global pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market.    

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market. 

Driving Factors

The Pharmaceutical Lipid Based Excipients Market Size is primarily driven by emphasis on advanced drug delivery systems, along with the development of mRNA and siRNA pipelines. The implementation of patient-centric design of topical dermatological medicines for improving drug adherence is propelling the market demand. For instance, in October 2024, a lipid-based formulation of baricitinib for the topical treatment of psoriasis was developed, especially for patients who experience side effects from systemic treatments.

Restraining Factors

The Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market Size is restricted by the strict quality regulations that affect the time and money spent on product development. Furthermore, complexity in supply chain management as well as increasing investment & development costs, are challenging the market.

Market Segmentation

The pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market share is classified into excipient type, product applications, industry application, and end-use.   

• The oils segment dominated the market with a significant share of 40% in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the excipient type, the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market size is divided into oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, GMCC (glyceryl monostearate), hard fats, and others. Among these, the oils segment dominated the market with a significant share of 40% in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Oils are used in a wide range of pharmaceutical products, from parenteral nutrition to soft gel formulations with poor aqueous solubility and poor oral bioavailability. For instance, the use of injectable grade oil in the pharmaceutical industry in depot formulations, suitable for avoiding first pass metabolism or for drugs with low oral bioavailability. The increasing need for oils across pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial sectors is driving the segmental market demand.

• The topical formulations segment accounted for the leading market share of 51% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the product applications, the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market is divided into oral formulations, parenteral, topical formulations, ophthalmic applications, and others. Among these, the topical formulations segment accounted for the leading market share of 51% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Topically applied drug loaded nanoparticles are intended for local effect to prevent drug administration and lower the amount of dose required to reach a therapeutic level. For instance, Niosomal formulations were explored in the topical delivery of resveratrol for the pain-related disorder. An increasing demand for patient-friendly topical treatments in dermatology and mucosal applications is propelling market growth.

• The pharmaceutical (OTC & Rx) segment accounted for the dominant share of nearly 61% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the projected period.

Based on the industry application, the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market is divided into pharmaceutical (OTC & Rx) and nutraceutical (dietary supplements & others). Among these, the pharmaceutical (OTC & Rx) segment accounted for the dominant share of nearly 61% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the projected period. In pharmaceutical drug development, especially for poorly aqueous soluble drugs, lipids are used for designing formulations for enhancing the aqueous solubility and drug bioavailability. Strategic collaborations among drug developers and lipid excipient manufacturers, along with an increased emphasis on enhancing solubility & permeability of oral drug delivery formulation, are propelling the market growth.

• The pharmaceutical manufacturers segment dominated the market with a major share of 64% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the projected period.

Based on the end-use, the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market is divided into pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract development & manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and other end users. Among these, the pharmaceutical manufacturers segment dominated the market with a major share of 64% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the projected period. An increasing need for new drug formulations along with advanced delivery systems is propelling the market in the pharmaceutical manufacturers segment. For instance, ABITEC Corporation is a global leader in the development and manufacture of highly functional lipid-based excipients for the pharmaceutical industry.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients market over the predicted timeframe.

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of over 38% in the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market size over the predicted timeframe. The market ecosystem in North America is strong, with both cutting-edge startups and major industrial heavyweights well-represented. For instance, in April 2023, Evonik officially begun construction of its USD 220 million global-scale production facility for pharmaceutical specialty lipids in Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States. The market for pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients has been driven by the region's advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure, strong R&D base, and leading global drug makers. The increasing trend towards more personalized therapies, which is influencing the need for tailored excipient solutions is contributing to promoting the market. The U.S. is leading the North America pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market during the forecast period, due to the increasing chronic disease prevalence and personalized medicine approach.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR of 5.6% in the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific area has a thriving market for pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients due to its increasing geriatric population and prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, which drive the demand for advanced drug delivery systems with high-quality excipients. China is dominating the Asia Pacific pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market, driven by the increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing, investment in drug delivery technologies, and cost-effective production.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• ABITEC Corporation
• BASF
• Gattefossé
• CordenPharma
• Lipoid
• IOI Oleo GmbH
• Croda International
• Evonik Industries
• Ashland
• Merck KGaA
• Alsiano
• Biopharma PEG Scientific
• CD Formulation
• CLARIANT
• CREMER OLEO
• Kao Corporation
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Recent Development

• In September 2025, Gattefosse is strengthening its global footprint with the grand opening of its first production facility in North America. The French supplier of ingredients and formulation solutions for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries has inaugurated its first North American manufacturing facility in Lufkin, Texas. This new site complements the group’s existing operations in France and Singapore.

• In September 2025, Evonik, a global specialty chemicals company, and Ethris, a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering next generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, entered into a strategic collaboration to develop and market a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for nucleic acid delivery.

• In January 2025, Evonik partnered with ST Pharm, a CDMO based in South Korea that manufactures active ingredients for gene therapy, to expand its RNA and nucleic acid therapeutic services. Through the partnership, Evonik would be able to provide customized nucleic acids from ST Pharm alongside its portfolio of lipid and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug product development services.

• In November 2024, Gattefosse, a provider of excipients and technical support for pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, and dietary supplements, opened new offices and a state-of-the-art Technical Center of Excellence in Mumbai to support the growing market in India.

• In June 2024, CordenPharma, a global CDMO leader in the manufacture of Drug Substances (APIs) for complex modalities (such as peptides, GalNAc, lipids, etc.), Lipid NanoParticles (LNPs) containing xRNA / xDNA, and injectable Drug Products, and Certest, a Spanish company focused on the development of new products with special emphasis on Drug Delivery with LNPs and API synthesis, have signed a partnership agreement.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the pharmaceutical lipid-based excipients market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market, By Excipient Type

• Oils
• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils
• GMCC (Glyceryl Monostearate)
• Hard Fats
• Others

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market, By Product Applications

• Oral Formulations
• Parenteral
• Topical Formulations
• Ophthalmic Applications
• Others

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market, By Industry Application

• Pharmaceutical (OTC & Rx)
• Nutraceutical (Dietary Supplements & Others)

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market, By End-Use

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
• Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)
• Other End Users

Global Pharmaceutical Lipid-Based Excipients Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa