Protein Engineering Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028

Protein Engineering Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028

Global Protein Engineering Market has valued at USD 2.56 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to witness an impressive growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 11% through 2028. Protein engineering is a branch of biotechnology that involves the deliberate design, modification, and optimization of proteins to create new functions, improve existing ones, or tailor them for specific applications. Proteins are essential biological macromolecules that perform a wide range of functions in living organisms, including catalyzing chemical reactions (enzymes), transporting molecules, providing structural support, and regulating cellular processes. Protein engineering harnesses the understanding of protein structure and function to manipulate these molecules for various purposes. Advances in molecular biology techniques have made it possible to synthesize and modify genes encoding proteins with specific sequences. This allows researchers to create entirely new proteins or modify existing ones for various applications.

The growing demand for biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and other protein-based therapies, was a significant driver. Protein engineering techniques are essential for optimizing the production and efficacy of these drugs. Ongoing advancements in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics were providing valuable insights into the role of proteins in disease pathways. This knowledge fueled the demand for protein engineering techniques to develop targeted therapies. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries were experiencing sustained growth, with increased investment in research and development. This growth was driving the demand for protein engineering tools and services. Protein engineering was playing a crucial role in the development of therapies for rare and orphan diseases. The potential for high returns in this niche market was a driver for investment and innovation. Protein engineering was being used to design enzymes with enhanced properties for various industrial applications, including biofuel production, food processing, and waste management.

Key Market Drivers

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements in protein engineering have played a pivotal role in shaping the field and expanding its applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, and industrial processes. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology revolutionized protein engineering. It allows precise genome editing, making it possible to modify genes and engineer proteins with high specificity and efficiency. This has far-reaching implications in drug development, agriculture, and basic research. Directed evolution is a powerful technique that mimics natural selection to optimize proteins for specific functions. Through iterative rounds of mutation and selection, researchers can engineer proteins with enhanced properties, such as increased affinity, stability, or enzymatic activity. High-Throughput Screening (HTS) methods have become more sophisticated and automated, enabling the rapid screening of large libraries of proteins for desired properties. This accelerates the discovery of novel enzymes, therapeutic antibodies, and other protein-based products. Advances in computational methods, including molecular modeling and machine learning, allow researchers to predict the structure and function of engineered proteins. This saves time and resources in the design phase and helps in understanding protein-ligand interactions. Synthetic biology techniques enable the creation of entirely new proteins and biological systems. Researchers can design and synthesize genes encoding novel proteins with tailored functions, expanding the possibilities for protein engineering. Improvements in protein expression systems, such as yeast, bacteria, and mammalian cells, have enhanced the production of recombinant proteins and therapeutic antibodies. These advancements increase the yield and quality of engineered proteins.

Understanding protein folding and stability is crucial for protein engineering. Computational tools and experimental techniques have improved the prediction of protein structures and stability, aiding in the design of more robust proteins. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have facilitated the analysis of genetic variation and expression patterns, allowing researchers to identify and characterize potential protein engineering targets more effectively. Cell-free protein synthesis systems have become more efficient and versatile. They enable the rapid production of proteins without the need for living cells, making it easier to engineer and study various proteins. Recent developments in genome editing technologies like CrispRGold and Prime Editing offer even greater precision and control in modifying genetic sequences. These advancements have far-reaching implications for gene therapy and protein engineering. Techniques such as ChIP-seq and protein-DNA cross-linking enable researchers to study protein-DNA interactions at the molecular level. This is critical for understanding gene regulation and designing DNA-binding proteins. Advancements in single-cell proteomics technologies allow the profiling of individual cells' protein content, providing insights into cellular heterogeneity and disease mechanisms. This factor will help in the development of the Global Protein Engineering Market.

Growing Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sectors

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have witnessed a shift towards biologics, which are drugs derived from living organisms. This includes monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and other protein-based therapeutics. Protein engineering plays a crucial role in designing, optimizing, and producing these biologics, meeting the increasing demand for more targeted and effective treatments. The process of discovering and developing new drugs often involves the identification and modification of specific proteins associated with diseases. Protein engineering techniques enable the modification of these proteins to enhance their therapeutic properties or to create entirely new drug candidates. The pharmaceutical sector is increasingly moving towards personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to individual patient profiles. Protein engineering allows for the customization of therapeutic proteins to match the genetic and molecular characteristics of individual patients, improving treatment outcomes. Protein engineering has been instrumental in the development of therapies for rare and orphan diseases, which may not have large patient populations. The pharmaceutical industry has shown interest in these niche markets, driving demand for protein engineering services and technologies.

The biopharmaceutical industry relies on biomanufacturing processes to produce large quantities of protein-based drugs. Protein engineering helps optimize the expression, yield, and stability of these therapeutic proteins, ensuring efficient and cost-effective production. Pharmaceutical companies continuously seek to expand their drug pipelines with innovative and differentiated products. Protein engineering allows for the development of novel biologics and protein-based therapies, helping companies stay competitive. The development of combination therapies, where multiple drugs are used to target different aspects of a disease, is a growing trend in the pharmaceutical sector. Protein engineering can be employed to design complementary therapeutic proteins that work together synergistically. As patents for some biologic drugs expire, there is a growing market for biosimilars, which are highly similar versions of existing biologics. Protein engineering is used to create biosimilars with comparable efficacy and safety profiles. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in research and development to bring new drugs to market. This investment includes funding for protein engineering research and technology development. Collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic institutions in protein engineering research has become common. These partnerships drive innovation and accelerate the development of protein-based therapies. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for rapid vaccine and therapeutic development. Protein engineering played a pivotal role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, showcasing its importance in addressing global health challenges. This factor will pace up the demand of the Global Protein Engineering Market.

Increased Focus on Rare Diseases

Rare diseases, also known as orphan diseases, often lack effective treatments due to their low prevalence. Protein engineering offers a promising approach to develop tailored therapies for these diseases, addressing significant unmet medical needs. The study of rare diseases often involves identifying specific genetic mutations or protein abnormalities that underlie these conditions. Protein engineering allows for the customization of therapeutic proteins to precisely target the molecular pathways involved in rare diseases, enabling precision medicine approaches. Governments and regulatory agencies worldwide provide incentives for the development of orphan drugs to treat rare diseases. Protein engineering is instrumental in designing and optimizing these drugs, including monoclonal antibodies and enzyme replacement therapies. Rare diseases are often caused by specific protein abnormalities. Protein engineering techniques enable the development of targeted therapies that can correct or compensate for these abnormalities, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

Monoclonal antibodies engineered to target rare disease-related proteins have shown significant promise in treating conditions such as certain forms of muscular dystrophy and lysosomal storage disorders. Protein engineering is closely linked to gene therapy, which holds great potential for treating rare genetic disorders. Engineered proteins, such as viral vectors or enzymes, can be used to deliver therapeutic genes to patients with rare diseases. For certain rare metabolic disorders, enzyme replacement therapies are essential. Protein engineering techniques can optimize the stability, activity, and targeting of these therapeutic enzymes. The orphan drug market has been growing steadily, driven by a combination of regulatory incentives, increased funding, and advances in protein engineering technologies. This growth encourages investment in research and development for rare diseases. Collaboration between academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy groups in the field of rare diseases has become more common. Such collaborations accelerate research and the development of protein-based therapies. Strong advocacy efforts by patient groups and foundations dedicated to rare diseases have raised awareness and support for research and treatment development. These efforts drive funding and interest in protein engineering solutions. Advances in diagnostic technologies, such as genomics and proteomics, enable the identification of rare disease-specific biomarkers. Protein engineering can then be used to develop diagnostics and targeted therapies. This factor will accelerate the demand of the Global Protein Engineering Market.

Key Market Challenges

Complexity of Protein Design

Proteins have complex three-dimensional structures that are crucial for their functions. Designing proteins with specific structures that fold correctly is a challenging task, as small changes in amino acid sequences can lead to misfolding and loss of function.Predicting the exact function of a designed protein can be challenging. Many proteins have multifaceted roles within biological systems, and designing a protein to perform a specific function can be highly complex. Ensuring that a designed protein is stable and properly folds into its functional conformation is a significant challenge. Achieving the correct protein fold is crucial for its activity and efficacy. Proteins often interact with other molecules, such as ligands, cofactors, or other proteins. Designing a protein that interacts selectively and with high affinity with a particular molecule can be complex. Designing proteins that engage in specific protein-protein interactions can be particularly challenging. Predicting how different proteins will interact with one another and engineering those interactions accurately is complex. Protein design requires expertise in multiple disciplines, including biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and structural biology. Collaborations among experts in these fields are often necessary.

Sustainability and Environmental Concerns

Protein engineering research often requires substantial resources, including laboratory equipment, consumables, and energy. The environmental impact of these resource-intensive processes can be a concern. The production of protein-based products, such as therapeutic proteins, enzymes, and alternative proteins (like plant-based and cell-based meats), can have environmental implications. Optimizing biomanufacturing processes to be more sustainable is a challenge. The development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for various applications, including agriculture and industrial biotechnology, raises environmental and regulatory concerns. Ensuring the safe use of GMOs and addressing potential ecological impacts is essential. Biomanufacturing processes can generate waste and byproducts that may have environmental consequences. Managing and minimizing waste streams is a sustainability challenge. Many protein engineering processes require controlled environments and precise conditions, which can be energy intensive. Reducing energy consumption and transitioning to renewable energy sources are priorities for sustainability. The use of chemicals in protein engineering, such as reagents for DNA synthesis and protein purification, can have environmental impacts. Developing greener chemistry approaches is a sustainability goal. While alternative proteins (plant-based and cell-based) are often considered more sustainable than traditional animal agriculture, their environmental footprint can vary. Reducing the environmental impact of these technologies is an ongoing challenge.

Key Market Trends

Expansion of Protein Engineering

Protein engineering is used to modify the genetic makeup of crops to enhance specific traits. This can include increasing resistance to pests and diseases, improving tolerance to environmental stressors (e.g., drought or salinity), and optimizing nutritional content. Developing crops with enhanced disease resistance through protein engineering reduces the need for chemical pesticides, contributing to environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture. Engineering crops for pest resistance can protect yields and reduce the reliance on chemical insecticides, benefiting both the environment and farmers. Protein engineering can help create crops that are more resilient to drought conditions, which is critical in regions facing water scarcity and climate change challenges. Protein engineering is applied to increase the nutritional value of crops by enhancing the content of essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. By improving crop yields and reducing the need for chemical inputs, protein-engineered crops can contribute to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The use of genetically modified crops designed through protein engineering may lead to reduced soil erosion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decreased agricultural runoff, thus mitigating environmental harm. Biofortification involves increasing the levels of essential nutrients in crops. Protein engineering can play a role in biofortifying staple crops to address malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations.

Segmental Insights

Technology Insights

In 2022, the Global Protein Engineering Market rational protein design segment held the largest share and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. The technology's vast application in enzyme engineering and antibody development accounts for the dominant share. Enzyme engineering has seen a tremendous increase in its commercial uses, which has led to the creation of improved and modified enzymes with the appropriate catalytic capabilities. Site-directed mutagenesis is one method that is often employed in rational design engineering approaches, and its high market penetration helps to drive the category.

Product Type Insights

In 2022, the Global Protein Engineering Market monoclonal antibodies segment held the largest revenue share and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. The rising R&D expenditure for creating therapeutically improved monoclonal antibodies is one of the main factors influencing the increased utilisation of these technologies. Soon, the segment is anticipated to grow due to the rising use of targeted monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. Like this, the emergence of genetic platforms that employ cutting-edge technology, such as next-generation sequencing for enabling effective protein engineering for the development of monoclonal antibodies, is anticipated to significantly boost the growth potential.

End Use Insights

In 2022, the Global Protein Engineering Market pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment held the largest share and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. The significant portion is a result of the expanding usage of in silico drug research models for the treatment of neurological issues, cancer, and diabetes. These businesses constantly strive to preserve their market presence by using computer modelling to create drug versions of patent-expiring medications. The segment is also being driven by the increasing funding and financial support from public and commercial healthcare organisations for the creation of sophisticated protein engineering technologies that will improve patient outcomes.

Regional Insights

The North America region dominated the Global Protein Engineering Market in 2022. The bigger proportion that this region has grabbed is probably due to the increasing number of collaborations that major market participants have promoted for improving their R&D capabilities. The high market share has been influenced by the existence of important companies in the area, including Agilent Technologies and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Because developing Asian nations have high rates of autoimmune, cardiovascular, and cancer diseases. Additionally, the high economic development in emerging economies like India and China is anticipated to support the sector's expansion in this area's unexplored prospects. Additionally, it is projected that the region's expansion will be aided by the availability of a sizable population base for the research and clinical testing of protein engineering applications.

Key Market 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

Genscripts USA, Inc.

GE Healthcare

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Protein Engineering Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Protein Engineering Market, By Product Type:
• Insulin
• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Coagulation Factors (Blood Factors + Tissue Plasminogen)
• Vaccines
• Growth Factors (Hormones + Cytokine)
• Other Product Types
• Protein Engineering Market, By Technology:
• Irrational Protein Design
• Rational Protein Design
• Protein Engineering Market, By End User:
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
• Academic Institutions
• Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Global Protein Engineering Market, By region:
• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Australia
• Japan
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Italy
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Protein Engineering Market.

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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