Protein Engineering Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Insulin, Monoclonal Antibodies, Coagulation Factors {Blood Factors + Tissue Plasminogen}, Vaccines, Growth Factors {Hormones + Cytokine}, and Other Product Types), By Technology (Irrational Protein Design and Rational Protein Design), By End User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Academic Institutions, and Contract Research Organizations {CROs}), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

 Market Overview

Global Protein Engineering Market has valued at USD 2.87 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.74 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 12.25% during the forecast period. 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 factors mentioned above have led to a rising demand for protein engineering instruments, driving the development of innovative treatments and accelerating market growth. Furthermore, an increasing number of government initiatives aimed at enhancing protein engineering capabilities are expected to provide substantial growth opportunities for the market. As a result, there has been a surge in research activities, funding allocation, and R&D investments in this field. For example, Nabla Bio completed a USD 11 million seed funding round in December 2021. This funding will be used to develop an AI-first design platform to advance the creation of next-generation antibody therapeutics.

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. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's healthcare sector is set to reach US$ 320 billion (Rs. 27,28,320 crore) by 2028, with pharmaceuticals targeting US$ 130 billion (Rs. 11,08,380 crore) and biotechnology US$ 300 billion (Rs. 25,57,800 crore) by 2030.

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.

Download Free Sample Report

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

Based on Technology, The rational protein design category holds the largest market share in the protein engineering market. This technology involves the process of designing and optimizing proteins based on their structure and function, which has proven to be highly effective in creating targeted therapeutics, enzymes, and antibodies. By using computational tools and detailed knowledge of protein structures, rational protein design allows for the development of proteins with enhanced stability, specificity, and activity, which makes it a preferred method in various biopharmaceutical applications. The widespread adoption of rational protein design in drug discovery, vaccines, and therapeutic protein development is contributing significantly to its dominant market position.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

Based on the region, North America holds the largest market share in the protein engineering market. The region's dominance can be attributed to the presence of well-established biopharmaceutical companies, significant investment in research and development, and advanced technological infrastructure. North America benefits from a strong regulatory framework, leading to rapid commercialization of protein-based therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics. Additionally, the growing demand for personalized medicine, coupled with the region's focus on innovation in biotechnology, further supports the market's expansion.

The availability of skilled professionals and research funding also plays a key role in reinforcing North America's leading position in the protein engineering market. An increasing number of collaborations driven by key market players to enhance their R&D capabilities is expected to contribute to North America's larger market share. For example, in September 2021, Selecta Biosciences, Inc. and Cyrus Biotechnology, Inc. formed a partnership that combined Selecta's ImmTOR platform with Cyrus' expertise in fundamentally redesigning protein treatments. The collaboration's primary focus was to develop a unique interleukin-2 (IL-2) agonist designed to selectively promote the growth of regulatory T cells (Treg) for treating individuals with autoimmune disorders.

Europe is expected to experience significant growth in the protein engineering market. The increasing focus on advanced research and technological innovations in the region, along with the presence of leading biopharmaceutical companies, is driving market expansion. Additionally, the rising investment in healthcare infrastructure, regulatory support for drug development, and a growing number of collaborations and partnerships among European firms are expected to contribute to the market's growth. Furthermore, the demand for personalized medicines and biologics in Europe is also fueling the adoption of protein engineering technologies. Europe has a substantial increase in biopharmaceutical R&D activities due to rising scientific awareness and growing investments in the healthcare sector. The R&D investments in the pharmaceutical industry in the country reached USD 1382 million (EUR 1,267 million) in 2021, recording an increase of 9.2% over 2020. These factors are expected to support the market in the region.

Recent Developments

• In January 2024, Biognosys expanded its presence in the U.S. by opening a new proteomics CRO facility in Massachusetts. This expansion will allow Biognosys to offer proteomics services to its U.S.-based biopharma clients. Biognosys was acquired by Bruker Corporation in January 2023.
• In January 2024, Agilent Technologies Inc. introduced a new automated parallel capillary electrophoresis system designed for protein analysis.
• In July 2021, A private biotech startup called Protomer Technologies ("Protomer") has been acquired by Eli Lilly and startup. To find and create molecules that can detect glucose or other endogenous modulators of protein activity, Protomer uses its patented peptide and protein engineering platform. Next-generation protein therapies that can detect cellular molecular activators are being developed by Protomer. The company can create therapeutic proteins and peptides with tunable activity that can be regulated by tiny molecules thanks to its patented chemical biology-based platform. This method has been employed by Protomer to advance a variety of therapeutic candidates, such as glucose-responsive insulins that can detect blood sugar levels and automatically kick in as needed throughout the course of the day.
• In March 2022, A research partnership between Amgen and Generate Biomedicines was announced to identify and develop protein therapies for five clinical targets across a variety of therapeutic domains and delivery systems. A Digital Biologics Discovery group has been formed because of Amgen's generative biology strategy to capitalise on the Company's cutting-edge strengths in biology, automation, and protein engineering. The objective of generative biology at Amgen is to use this biologics experience and expertise along with cutting-edge sequence-based drug design technology to develop complicated multispecific therapies for a range of challenging disorders. By reducing the time needed for drug discovery and producing potential lead molecules with predictable manufacturing and clinical behaviour, Amgen's biologics drug discovery expertise can be combined with Generate Biomedicines' Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform to further facilitate multispecific drug design.

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

 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:

o   Insulin

o   Monoclonal Antibodies

o   Coagulation Factors (Blood Factors + Tissue Plasminogen)

o   Vaccines

o   Growth Factors (Hormones + Cytokine)

o   Other Product Types

• Protein Engineering Market, By Technology:

o   Irrational Protein Design

o   Rational Protein Design

• Protein Engineering Market, By End User:

o   Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

o   Academic Institutions

o   Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

• Global Protein Engineering Market, By region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  South Korea

§  Australia

§  Japan

o   Europe

§  Germany

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Spain

§  Italy

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   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.

Available Customizations:

Global Protein Engineering Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

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

Global Protein Engineering Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at sales@techsciresearch.com