Research-grade Proteins Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Cytokines & Growth Factors, Antibodies), By Host Cell (Mammalian Cells, Bacterial Cells), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global research-grade proteins market size was estimated at USD 845.1 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.53% from 2023 to 2030. The advancements in proteomics research, an increase in R&D activities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and the rising demand for personalized medicine are some of the factors anticipated to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Moreover, the rising investments from the government and various academic institutes are further expected to drive the growth of the market from 2023 to 2030.

The pandemic fueled the R&D race to find treatments and diagnostic tools for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Recombinant technology was at the forefront during this phase, and many recombinant COVID-19 vaccines entered the market with emergency use approval. For instance, in December 2021, WHO issued a 9th COVID-19 vaccine for Emergency Use Listing (EUL). This EUL allowed vaccination access in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to the actions taken to develop recombinant vaccines, intense efforts are being made by multiple players for therapeutics via accelerated cycles of innovation to bring breakthroughs to patients faster. Furthermore, the search for safe, efficacious, and efficient drugs increased the popularity of biopharmaceuticals. The rapid R&D of the COVID-19 vaccine and its continuous commercial manufacturing activities had a positive impact and encouraged biologics-based research activities, eventually boosting market growth.

Furthermore, the shift of the healthcare industry toward biologics can be attributed to the progress in synthetic biology over the years. Recombinant DNA technology has created the way for the production of recombinant proteins, which can be further used for drug discovery, therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines, and even advanced therapies such as cell & gene therapy, which have lesser side effects and more accuracy. Moreover, the wide applications of recombinant proteins at both research and industrial scale have led to the development of innovative bioprocessing technologies. The inclination toward biologics can also be seen in the number of licensed products. For example, as per a fact sheet in November 2021, the U.S. FDA stated that there are about 621 biologics products that are licensed. Thus, the rising adoption of biologics & biosimilars is anticipated to propel the growth of the market.

In addition, the increasing preference for recombinant proteins over natural proteins for research is driven by the advantages offered by these proteins. For instance, recombinant proteins can be synthesized with a high protein yield, no animal contaminants, and controlled batch-to-batch variation. Moreover, the amino acid sequences of these proteins can be easily altered, and unnatural amino acids can be incorporated as required. Commonly used recombinant proteins for research applications include growth factor family proteins, such as fibroblast growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factors, and neurotrophins. Similarly, cytokines, such as interferons, chemokines, interleukins, & pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enzymes, such as recombinant proteases, kinases, & nucleases, are used for life science research that requires biologically active proteins. Therefore, increasing the use of recombinant proteins in research activities is projected to accelerate the growth of the market for research-grade proteins over the forecast period.

Product Insights

Based on product, the market is segmented into cytokines & growth factors, antibodies, immune checkpoint proteins, virus antigens, enzymes, recombinant regulatory proteins, hormones, and others. The cytokines & growth factors segment held the largest market share of 23.36% in 2022, and the segment is anticipated to grow with the fastest CAGR of 17.62% over the forecast period. These proteins are primarily used in biomedical research and drug development, particularly in understanding diseases, identifying potential therapeutic targets, and developing drugs or therapies to modulate specific biological processes. Moreover, they are widely used for various research applications, such as cell culture, immunology, oncology, and regenerative medicine. In August 2023, PeptiGrowth, Inc., a Japanese biotech firm specializing in the advancement of synthetic peptide-based growth factors, collaborated with Orizuru Therapeutics, Inc. (OZTx), a Japanese biopharmaceutical company dedicated to researching and developing regenerative medicine derived from induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). Thus, the rapid launch of novel cytokines & growth factors due to the rising demand for research-grade proteins is propelling the growth of the segment.

The antibodies segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 15.63% from 2023 to 2030. Antibodies play an essential role in the immune system and are widely used in various research areas. Due to the versatile molecules of antibodies, they are employed to detect and quantify specific proteins in biological samples. They are most commonly used in techniques such as Western blotting, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA), immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry. Researchers use antibodies for the understanding of protein expression and their functions, making them a fundamental component of many experimental workflows. In March 2022, Sanofi announced its collaboration with IGM to discover, create, manufacture, and launch immunoglobulin M antibodies, which would target oncology. This collaboration would combine the antibody engineering skills and disease biology expertise of both companies to expedite the discovery and development of new antibody-based treatments.

Host Cell Insights

Based on host cells, the market is segmented into mammalian cells, insect cells, yeast & fungi, bacterial cells, and others. The mammalian cells segment held the largest market share of 55.73% in 2022. Due to the similar biological makeup to human cells, mammalian cells are widely used in the production of biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and growth factors, among others. In a clinical study conducted by researchers of Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital and published in March 2023, a possible basic mechanism for the enhancement of cardiac pump function using ghrelin was identified by scientists by studying isolated mouse heart cells in the laboratory. Thus, growing research, especially in the field of oncology and immunology is anticipated to drive the demand for mammalian cells over the period.

The bacterial cells segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 15.73% from 2023 to 2030. The use of bacterial cells as host cells in biotechnology and research has significantly increased, driving the expansion of the market. Bacterial cells, mainly Escherichia coli (E. coli), are favorable choices for protein expression due to their rapid growth, well-characterized genetics, and ease of handling. The growing demand for a wide range of applications, such as drug development and antibodies, is anticipated to propel the growth of bacterial cells over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

Based on end-use, the market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, academic & research institutes, and others. The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment held the largest market share of 61.35% in 2022. The growing drug discoveries & development, rising demand for personalized medicines, and increasing number of clinical trials are anticipated to propel the growth of the segment over the forecast period. Moreover, continuous investments by governments to support rising R&D activities are further expected to accelerate the growth of the segment.

The others segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 16.21% during 2023-2030. The others segment includes contract research organizations and manufacturing organizations. These end-users employ these proteins in medical research activities, enabling the advancement of novel therapies, precision medicine, and the validation of diagnostic tests, ultimately translating scientific discoveries into improved patient outcomes. In February 2023, Lunaphore, a Swiss-based life sciences firm developing innovative technology for facilitating spatial biology in laboratories, collaborated with Sirona Dx, a prominent player in multi-omics and single-cell analytical services. Thus, this is anticipated to speed up drug research and development, as well as bring significant advancements to the field.

Regional Insights

North America held the largest revenue share of 44.86% of the global market in 2022. The rising research funding, presence of key players, and availability of healthcare infrastructure contribute to the high market share of North America. For instance, in September 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services announced an investment of USD 40 million to enhance the significance of biomanufacturing in the creation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and antibiotics. for manufacturing vital medications and addressing pandemic situations. Thus, continuous advancements and increasing investments are anticipated to boost the market.

The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 18.49% from 2023 to 2030. Due to the increasing awareness of novel technologies, developing healthcare infrastructure, and surging demand for advanced diagnostics & efficient therapeutic solutions, the market is expected to have a lucrative growth rate. Furthermore, regional emerging economies are establishing research facilities and infrastructure for the biotechnology sector. With the rising number of clinical studies on cancer research, and drug development, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to boost over the years.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market leaders are involved in extensive R&D for manufacturing cost-efficient and technologically advanced products. Several strategies, such as mergers & acquisitions, undertaken by these organizations to expand their market presence are anticipated to create significant growth opportunities over the forecast period. For instance, in May 2023, GenScript Biotech Corporation extended its principal oligonucleotide and peptide manufacturing plant in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China. For the past 20 years, GenScript has supported scientists worldwide by providing high-quality oligo and peptides. Thus, such company expansions are expected to accelerate the growth prospects for the market. Some prominent players in the global research-grade proteins market include:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• Abcam Plc

• Miltenyi Biotec

• GenScript

• Bio-Techne

• Proteintech Group, Inc.

• ACROBiosystems

• Sino Biological, Inc.

• Prospec-Tany Technogene Ltd.

• New England Biolabs

Research-grade Proteins Market Report Scope

Global Research-grade Proteins Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global research-grade proteins market report based on product, host cell, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Cytokines & Growth Factors

    • Interferons (IFNs)

    • Interleukins (ILs)

    • Others

  • Antibodies

  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins

  • Virus Antigens

  • Enzymes

    • Kinases

    • Metabolic Enzymes

    • Others

  • Recombinant Regulatory Proteins

  • Hormones

  • Others

• Host Cell Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Mammalian Cells

  • Bacterial Cells

  • Fungi & Yeast

  • Insect Cells

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

  • Academic & Research Institute

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait