The protein engineering market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.61 Bn in 2024 and is projected to register a CAGR of 16.3% over the forecast period (2024-2031). Furthermore, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing R&D investments in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors are fueling the market growth.
Market Dynamics:
The protein engineering market is primarily driven by the surging demand for biologics and expanding therapeutics areas. Rapid advancement of biologics has increased the demand for protein engineering during drug development and discovery processes. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the global biologics market is expected to reach over USD 400 Bn by 2025, growing at a CAGR of above 10%. Rising demand from biopharmaceutical companies to develop biosimilar drugs is also contributing to the market growth. Additionally, the continuous expansion of application areas such as industrial enzymes, food and agriculture, and others are propelling the protein engineering market. However, high equipment costs and lack of skilled professionals are some of the challenges restraining the market growth.
Major Driver: Increasing Demand for Biologics Drives the Market Growth
The biologics industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade with the development and approval of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Biologics have revolutionized disease treatment compared to traditional small molecule drugs due to their high target specificity and efficacy. However, biologics are complex molecules produced in living systems and require extensive optimization through protein engineering techniques to enhance their therapeutic properties. This increasing demand for biologics is driving the need for protein engineering to develop biologics with improved potency, stability, and safety profiles.
Advancements in Gene Editing Tools Bolster Market Growth
Recent technological advancements in gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 have enabled protein engineers to precisely modify genes and proteins with high efficiency. CRISPR/Cas9 allows easy modifications of whole genomes or individual genes, which has revolutionized the field of protein engineering. It has enabled the rapid development of candidate proteins and streamlined workflows compared to previous technologies. The ability to precisely insert, delete, or modify genes has opened new avenues for improving protein properties and developing novel biologics. Advancements in other gene editing technologies, such as TALENs and ZFNs, are further empowering protein engineers with robust tools to engineer proteins. This is a key driver fueling the growth of the protein engineering market.
Major Restraint: Complex Manufacturing Processes Increase Production Costs
Producing engineered proteins on an industrial scale requires complex manufacturing processes involving cell culture, purification, analytical testing, and scale-up. Optimizing protein expression and recovery from living microbial, yeast, plant, or animal systems is a challenging task. Even minor genetic modifications can alter protein folding, stability, or yields. High production costs associated with establishing and validating robust manufacturing processes act as a restraint for the widespread application of protein engineering technologies.
Challenges in Developing Oral Biologics Limit Market Growth
Most biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies, are administered through parenteral routes due to the inability of proteins to withstand gastrointestinal conditions. Developing engineered proteins that can withstand the harsh oral environment and demonstrate adequate bioavailability still remains a significant challenge. Factors such as sensitivity to digestive enzymes and poor membrane permeability hamper progress in this field. The lack of viable strategies for oral delivery of biologics restricts the protein engineering market scope for certain applications.
Major Opportunity: Expansion into New Application Areas
Traditionally, protein engineering has focused on improving biologics for therapeutic use. However, newer opportunities exist in applying these techniques to develop industrial enzymes, agrochemicals, biofuels, and biomaterials. For example, engineering enzyme catalysts with tailored specificities, stabilities, and properties can boost production processes across various industries including food processing, cleaning agents, textiles, etc. This represents an avenue to diversify protein engineering applications beyond healthcare.
Partnerships with CDMOs Drive Commercialization
While academic institutions and startup biotechs pioneer new protein engineering approaches, establishing industrial-scale manufacturing remains a challenge. Contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) with requisite production expertise and facilities offer a viable solution. Partnerships between technology developers and experienced CDMOs accelerate commercialization by leveraging their manufacturing and regulatory knowledge. This reduces investment needs and assists commercialization, thereby strengthening the protein engineering ecosystem. Overall, the involvement of CDMOs expands available opportunities for protein engineers to translate innovations into practical solutions.
Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/protein-engineering-market-5272
Key Development
- In January 2024, Agilent Technologies Inc., life sciences, diagnostics company introduced a novel automated parallel capillary electrophoresis system designed for protein analysis
- In January 2024, Biognosys , proteomics company expanded its presence in the U.S. by establishing a new proteomics CRO facility in Massachusetts. This expansion enabled Biognosys to offer proteomics services to its biopharma clients in the U.S. Biognosys was acquired by Bruker Corporation, American manufacturer of scientific instruments for molecular and materials research in January 2023.
- In December 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. global supplier of analytical instruments, life sciences solutions disclosed a distribution agreement with AESKU.GROUP GmbH, research-focused supplier of innovative and efficient products and services to facilitate the support, marketing, and sale of its array of U.S.FDA-cleared automated instruments, IFA products, and software across the U.S.
- In April 2024, the Laboratory for Bioengineering Research and Innovation, funded by Northpond, made an investment in the Wyss Institute for the AmnioX project. This initiative aims to advance the development of protein-based drugs, thereby enhancing patients' access to medications.
- In March 2023, Arzeda , industry-leading Protein Design Company partnered with Takeda, apanese multinational pharmaceutical company. to utilize artificial intelligence-based protein design technology. This collaboration seeks to optimize protein biologics more effectively, potentially improving the development process and resulting products in therapeutic protein development.
Key Players: Agilent Technologies Inc., Amgen Inc., Bruker Corporation, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Merck KGaA, Novo Nordisk AS, PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waters Corporation, GenScript Biotech Corporation, GE Healthcare, Absci, ElevateBio, Ingenza, Anima Biotech, Ventus Therapeutics, and Aether Biomachines, Inc.
