# The Pharmaceutical Industry in 2025: An Analysis of FDA Drug Approvals from the Perspective of Molecules

## TL;DR

In 2025, the FDA approved 44 new drugs, showing trends in biologics, small molecules, and challenges in cost and sustainability.

## Contribution

A structural and chemical analysis of FDA-approved drugs in 2025, highlighting molecular design and therapeutic trends.

## Key findings

- Biologics accounted for 25% of approvals, with cancer as the main therapeutic focus.
- Small molecules dominated with N-aromatic moieties and fluorine atoms prevalent.
- TIDES, including GalNAc-targeted oligonucleotides, showed growing market presence.

## Abstract

In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 44 new drugs, reflecting a slight decrease compared to previous years but maintaining the overall trends in pharmaceutical innovation. Biologics accounted for 25% of approvals, including nine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), two antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), and one fusion protein, with cancer remaining the primary therapeutic focus. TIDES, comprising three oligonucleotides and one peptide, continued to consolidate their presence in the market, with the three oligonucleotides featuring N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) for liver-targeted delivery. Small molecules dominate the remainder, with a high prevalence of N-aromatic moieties and fluorine atoms present in most of the molecules. Peptide manufacturing and sustainability concerns, including PFAS usage, remain key challenges. Despite these advances, the high cost of innovative therapies limits access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This report provides a structural and chemical analysis of the newly approved drugs, highlighting trends in molecular design, therapeutic areas, and technological innovations shaping modern drug discovery.