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What Is a Small Molecule Drug?

By Rachel Warren – Updated Jul 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

  • Small molecule drugs dominate new drug approvals and are crucial for treating diverse diseases.
  • They are typically low-weight, providing easy absorption and versatile delivery methods.
  • Their simpler chemical synthesis results in more predictable costs and broader availability.
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About the Author

Rachel Warren
Rachel Warren is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, information technology, and consumer goods. Prior to The Motley Fool, Rachel was a paralegal and legal administrator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from Liberty University School of Law.
TMFRachelW
The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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