Explore the Recombinant Proteins Market-Key Drivers & Top 5 Companies

Introduction

A recombinant protein is a protein expressed by genetically engineering DNA containing the gene of interest. The engineered DNA is introduced into the host cell to regulate and control desired protein expression. Recombinant protein manufacturing offers the benefit of large-scale production of proteins with high purity. Recombinant proteins have broad applications in biomedical research, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other industrial applications. They offer the advantages of high purity, high yield, customization, and cost-effectiveness.

This blog provides you with the top key drivers, future market projections, and the leading companies that fuel recombinant proteins market.

Top Key Drivers

Drivers are factors that boost the growth of a market. Key drivers of the market for recombinant proteins include the increasing R&D investments and clinical activities in biopharmaceuticals and growing demand for animal-free recombinant products.

1. Growing R&D Investments in Biopharmaceuticals - Recombinant proteins have applications in therapeutic areas, including cancer, metabolic disorders, diabetes, blood disorders, and hepatitis. Many companies such as Roche, Amgen, Pfizer, and Novo Nordisk have a strong R&D pipeline for recombinant proteins. These companies spend a significant share of their net sales on R&D expenses every year.

For example, Lilly spent 27.3% of its net sales for R&D activities in 2023 (Lilly annual report, 2023). Companies are venturing into concepts of technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in biologics discovery and development. Companies are engaging in research collaborations to develop novel protein drugs. For instance, Amgen and Generate Biomedicines signed a research partnership to use Generate’s machine learning-enabled platform to develop new protein drugs.

2. Increasing Demand for Non-Hybridoma Techniques - Growing ethical concerns about using animals in hybridoma techniques drive the need for alternate techniques. Growing ethical concerns about using animals in hybridoma techniques drive the need for alternate techniques. The production of monoclonal antibodies is highly time-consuming and relies on the use of animals. The antibodies produced through recombinant technology do not involve passive immunization in animals.

rDNA technology minimizes various limitations of the hybridoma technique, such as higher timelines, batch-to-batch variations, heterogeneous batches, etc. Recombinant antibodies can be generated in large quantities within just a few weeks. Increasing ethical concerns over animal use and a growing preference for animal-free protein production are other factors driving the growth of the market.

The recombinant therapeutics market is fragmented, with many biologics companies making a foray into the market every year. However, large biopharmaceutical companies currently dominate the market. Many companies have recombinant products based on hormones, enzymes, antibodies, blood products, and cytokines.