The Global Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market was valued at USD 2,548 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5,919 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.7% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is fueled by the rising demand for targeted cancer therapies, the expanding pipeline of ADC-based drugs, and significant advancements in conjugation technologies.

As the pharmaceutical industry pivots towards more effective and less toxic cancer treatments, the spotlight is on the specialized companies manufacturing the highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) that serve as the cytotoxic “warheads” in ADCs. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Highly Potent API /HPAPI for ADC Industry—a mix of established CDMOs, biopharma giants, and innovative specialists shaping the future of oncology.

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Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🔟 1. Lonza

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: HPAPI Development & Manufacturing, ADC Linker-Payload Conjugation

Lonza is a global leader in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), providing end-to-end services for HPAPIs used in ADCs. Their specialized facilities feature containment technology to handle highly potent compounds safely, supporting clients from early-stage development to commercial-scale production.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• State-of-the-art high-containment suites for OELs < 0.1 μg/m³

• Integrated services from cytotoxic payload synthesis to drug-linker conjugation

• Strategic partnerships with top-tier biopharmaceutical companies

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9️⃣ 2. Pfizer CentreOne

Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
Key Offering: HPAPI Synthesis, Sterile Potent Drug Manufacturing

Leveraging Pfizer’s extensive internal expertise in ADCs (e.g., Mylotarg®), Pfizer CentreOne offers contract manufacturing services for complex HPAPIs. They provide access to specialized infrastructure and regulatory knowledge critical for bringing ADC therapies to market.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Proven track record with commercially approved ADC payloads

• Advanced analytical and characterization methods for HPAPIs

• Global regulatory support for market approvals

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8️⃣ 3. Merck

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: High-Potency Active Ingredients, ADC Payloads

Merck’s life science business offers a portfolio of building blocks and services for ADC development. Their expertise spans the synthesis of potent cytotoxic agents and the development of sophisticated linker technologies, serving as a critical partner in the ADC value chain.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Portfolio of Auristatin and Maytansinoid payload precursors

• Investment in continuous manufacturing for HPAPIs

• Global supply chain for critical raw materials

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Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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7️⃣ 4. Piramal Pharma Solutions

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: HPAPI Development, Complex API Manufacturing

Piramal Pharma Solutions is a leading CDMO with significant capabilities in handling highly potent compounds. Their dedicated HPAPI facilities are designed to meet stringent safety standards, offering scalable manufacturing from grams to commercial metric tons.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Dedicated HPAPI plants in the UK, US, and India

• Expertise in controlled substances and cytotoxic agents

• Strong focus on process optimization and cost-effective manufacturing

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6️⃣ 5. Catalent

Headquarters: Somerset, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: HPAPI & ADC Drug Product Services

Catalent is a key player in drug development and delivery, offering specialized services for highly potent compounds. Through its acquisition of Juno Therapeutics’ manufacturing facility and other investments, Catalent has strengthened its position in the cell and gene therapy space, which includes ADC support services.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Integrated offerings from biomanufacturing to fill-finish for ADCs

• High-potency oral solid dose and sterile manufacturing expertise

• Speed to clinic and market via accelerated development pathways

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5️⃣ 6. AbbVie Contract Manufacturing

Headquarters: North Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Potent Compound Synthesis, ADC Payload Manufacturing

Building on the legacy of AbbVie’s innovative oncology pipeline, its contract manufacturing arm offers specialized capabilities for HPAPIs. They provide access to world-class R&D and manufacturing expertise for complex molecules, including those used in targeted therapies.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Expertise derived from internal ADC programs

• Robust process development and analytical controls

• Flexible manufacturing scales to support clinical and commercial needs

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4️⃣ 7. CARBOGEN AMCIS (a Dishman Group company)

Headquarters: Bubendorf, Switzerland
Key Offering: HPAPI Development, Highly Potent Compound Manufacturing

CARBOGEN AMCIS specializes in the development and production of highly active and complex APIs. With state-of-the-art containment technology, they are a preferred partner for pharmaceutical companies developing next-generation ADCs requiring sophisticated and potent payloads.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Advanced containment capabilities for ultra-potent compounds

• Strong track record in oligonucleotide and peptide-based HPAPIs

• Comprehensive services from preclinical to commercial supply

Download FREE Sample Report:
Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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3️⃣ 8. Siegfried

Headquarters: Zofingen, Switzerland
Key Offering: HPAPI Manufacturing, Drug Substance & Product Services

Siegfried is a globally active CDMO with a strong focus on controlled substances and highly potent compounds. Their integrated approach covers the entire development chain, making them a valuable partner for companies navigating the complexities of ADC payload manufacturing.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Dedicated HPAPI center of excellence

• Fully integrated services from API to finished dosage form

• Emphasis on quality, safety, and regulatory compliance

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2️⃣ 9. Evonik Health Care

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: Lipid & Polymer-based Excipients, Drug Delivery Technologies for HPAPIs

Evonik is a leading specialty chemicals company that provides critical excipients and formulation technologies for HPAPIs. Their expertise in drug delivery, including lipid nanoparticles and functional polymers, supports the stable formulation and targeted delivery of potent ADC payloads.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• Innovative RESOMER® biodegradable polymers for controlled release

• Expertise in formulating poorly soluble HPAPIs

• Strategic focus on targeted delivery systems for oncology

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1️⃣ 10. DPE Pharma (Aji Bio-Pharma Services)

Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
Key Offering: Peptide HPAPIs, Oligonucleotide Synthesis, ADC Linker Technologies

Following its acquisition by DPE, the former Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services is a prominent CDMO specializing in complex molecules, including peptide-based HPAPIs and linkers for ADCs. Their expertise is crucial for developing the next wave of targeted therapies beyond traditional small-molecule payloads.

Innovation & Capabilities:

• World-class peptide and oligonucleotide manufacturing

• Specialized expertise in cleavable and non-cleavable linker chemistry

• Strong presence in both North American and Asian markets

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Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🔬 Outlook: The Future of HPAPIs for ADCs is More Targeted and Complex

The HPAPI for ADC market is undergoing a significant transformation. While auristatins and maytansinoids remain foundational payloads, the industry is rapidly advancing towards novel warheads, more sophisticated linker technologies, and expanded therapeutic applications beyond oncology.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Development of novel payload classes with unique mechanisms of action (e.g., topoisomerase I inhibitors, DNA alkylators)

• Increasing adoption of site-specific conjugation technologies for improved ADC homogeneity and therapeutic index

• Expansion of ADC applications into autoimmune diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other therapeutic areas

• Growing investment in continuous manufacturing and green chemistry principles for HPAPI production

Read Full Report:
Highly Potent API /HPAPI For Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying critical components for modern medicine—they’re pioneering the next generation of targeted cancer therapies that offer new hope to patients worldwide.