The global antibody discovery market is estimated at USD 7.56 billion in 2023, which is expected to reach USD 18.85 billion at a CAGR of 9.57% during 2023-2033.
The market is concerned with the identification of antibody-based drug targets and the development of novel antibodies. These novel antibodies enable enhancements in the diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Enhancements in the therapeutic process, for example, involve optimization of treatments, minimization of side effects, and improved efficiency.
The antibody discovery market is situated at the confluence of the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
Drivers in the antibody discovery market may be primarily noted as being biologics and immunotherapy. Biologics encompass Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and protein-based therapeutic procedures. They are particularly effective in dealing with an array of ailments. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, has specifically revolutionized cancer treatment by utilizing the body’s immune defenses against tumors with note-worthy examples including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies, both of which rely heavily on antibodies. This has had a steering effect on the efforts undertaken to study and develop novel antibodies able to modulate immune responses, in turn, further improving immunotherapy. The congruence of the two noted drivers allows the establishment of a breeding ground for antibody discovery market initiatives, innovation within biologics and immunotherapy, investments, collaborations, and partnerships.
Restraints, however, manifest as high costs associated with the antibody discovery market process. Also, the intricacies of the related regulatory frameworks conducting authority over antibody-based therapeutics necessitate air-tight clinical testing. The market, furthermore, tends to be characterized by cut-throat competition, which requires continual catching up with and optimal exploitation of accelerated technological advancements, routine adaptation, and allocation of resources towards research and development programs.
Opportunities and the prospect of future avenues are maintained and molded on account of the wide-ranging applicability of antibody discovery in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, as well as research. These factors present promising potency, especially when paired with variegated set of participating entities encompassing biotechnology enterprises, contract research organizations (CROs), and academic institutions. The establishment of antibody development forces forward the frontiers of drug advancement, personalized medicine, and diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedural applications, in turn generating growth in a sustainable fashion. Also, the streamlining of the process of antibody discovery has allowed for optimal project completion timelines and associated management of expenses via the evolutionary enhancement of technologies such as Phage display and Hybridoma technology. The continual nature of such an exercise of enhancement and the associated gains present promising avenues for investors, both pharmaceutical and entrepreneurial in nature. Market expansion may also confidently count on the role of collaborations and partnerships among/across business and academic circles. Potential of branching off into niche specializations such as personalized medicine and companion diagnostics demonstrates room for distinct and expansive strategies, and expert employment of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to tame rigorous datasets can allow enhanced antibody discovery and efficient candidate identification. Moreover, advancing the scope of antibodies beyond therapeutic procedures to also feature in diagnostic procedures and research practices presents a crucial argument for market augmentation.
Several investments in the antibody discovery market have been directed in recent years, which would boost the overall antibody discovery market. Some of them are:
• Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, issued a request for proposal (RFP) in collaboration with Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to promote drug development in global South, in a document dated 21 November 2019. The issued RFP notes intention to invest in antibody discovery market and establish it as an available and accessible public health amenity, and underlines the requirement for India to initiate development of efficacious antibodies that align with India’s disease-based priorities.
• Eurofins Scientific, in a fact sheet last modified on 27 February 2024, noted plan for further expansion of PFAS testing activities in clinical diagnostics and launch of “DiscoveryAI SAFIRE”, a premium platform that utilizes proprietary datasets, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, allowing speedy and high standard of pharmaceutical product discovery.
• NanoCellect Biomedical, in a press release dated 16 September 2021, announced acceleration of commercial growth targets and fresh product development plans with a close of $35 million of financing in Series C and D rounds led by Vertical Venture Partners and Warburg Pincus. The company hence opted for onboarding of new international distribution partners, and nearly doubled their global installations. Successful securing of funding by new investors for firms such as NanoCellect Biomedical highlights the active interest captured by the key players in antibody discovery market.
The antibody discovery market is segmented based on methods, nature, antibody type, end users, and region.
Based on methods, the antibody discovery market is further segmented according to applied technology into “Phage display”, “Hybridoma”, “Transgenic animal”, “Single cell”, and “Yeast Display”.
Phage display segment sustains significant claim to revenue share owing to Phage display’s ability to adaptably generate comprehensive antibody libraries. Phage display is preferred since it allows presenting antibodies on genetically manipulated bacteriophage, aiding in selection of candidate antibody out of an expansive pool aimed to target some specified antigen. This is also preferred owing to production by it of antibodies that bind quickly to the antigen, allow higher sensitivity in assays, and hold this bond more promptly under adverse conditions. Such antibodies are called high-affinity antibodies, and they find application across a variety of domains such as therapeutics, diagnostics, and research work. This is also notably efficient at discovering antibodies appropriate for enigmatic target entities, issuing this method a prepotent position in the antibody discovery market.
Hybridoma technology segment showcases sustained and significant growth owing to the technology’s defining ability to produce Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) particular to antigens of interest. Hybridoma technology targets a variegated set of diseases enabling its application to a broad pool of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Being a traditionally employed method of generation of Monoclonal antibodies aiding production of highly sensitive binders establishes Hybridoma technology as an industry-wide preference.
Other methods include Transgenic animal (mouse) method, Single cell-based method, and Yeast display.
Based on antibody type, the antibody discovery market is further segmented into Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), Polyclonal antibodies (pAbs), and Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs).
Monoclonal antibodies segment consolidated the largest market share in 2022. Monoclonal antibodies interact exclusively with diseased cells without affecting healthy cells by design. They have secured claim to significant applicability within therapeutic procedures for cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies-based drugs have been approved by the FDA for treating cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Polyclonal antibodies are defined as a heterogenous mix of antibodies generally secreted by separate B-cell clones of an animal. Their heterogenous binding affords them a high sensitivity to antigens in a range of applications. They are recognized as a research tool of value and are often used to assist in observations of variances in human samples. They are notably effective at viral and toxin neutralization owing to their multi-epitope binding capability which allows them to be qualitatively similar to the natural immune system. Their use is veritably valuable in anti-tumor immunotherapy to mediate effector functions and induce cancer cell apoptosis.
Bispecific antibodies are an emergent class of antibodies. They provide singular therapeutic modes of action (advantageous over traditional Monoclonal antibodies with respect to specificity, efficacy, toxicity, and drug resistance), such as activating and engaging immune cells to dispose of tumor cells while acting on two synergizing therapeutic targets at the same time. However, an inefficient, sluggish, and expensive development process has dampened prospect of their broad clinical availability for a range of diseases.
Based on end users, the antibody discovery market is further segmented into Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry, research laboratory, and academic laboratory.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry segment consolidated largest market share in 2022 owing to its sizeable research and development investment undertakings (such as funding antibody discovery market programs, as well as studies on proteomics, genomics, and therapeutic procedures concerning cancer, HIV/AIDS, immunodeficiency diseases, blood disorders, etc.), expansive infrastructure, and specialization in drug development. Noted factors and features situate this segment at a position of competitive advantage, allowing constituent companies to maneuver regulatory proceedings into realized outcomes such as new therapies. The claim to resources of companies in this segment aids routine innovation and commercialization of antibody discovery-based drugs and therapeutic procedures.
Research laboratory segment is characterized by ongoing projects engendering scientific progress.
Academic laboratory segment is characterized by high-end research practices, regular pursuit and maintenance of niche specializations, access to funds focused on innovative practices, and ubiquity of collaboration-based interdisciplinary activities within academia. Instrumentality of academic circles as breeding ground for conduction of research, identification of targets, and early-stage antibody development is key to establishing candidacy of novel therapeutic antibodies. As an example, consider Robert Laboratory at Monash University's Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, which notes that Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) present unparalleled opportunities for drug development owing to their ability to target (more or less) any cell surface or secreted molecule with unmatched specificity and safety. Robert Laboratory aims to develop new classes of therapeutic Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to counter G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using cutting-edge technologies in development, engineering, and pre-clinical validation of Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
Based on region, the antibody discovery market is further segmented into North America (The USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe, Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (South America, Central America, and Middle East and Africa).
North American region consolidated the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to the following:
North American region lays commendable claim to Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries. It is inhabited by many key antibody discovery market players and research-based institutions. The North American segment’s landscape is characterized by sizeable funding funneled into research and development (also allowing conduction of large-scale clinical trials to study suitability of specific candidate antibodies), a robustly defined regulatory framework, and a welcoming investment environment. Another factor necessitating segmental growth is the regional rise in cases of cancer (according to American Cancer Society in 2022, ~1.9 million new cancer cases and ~609,368 cancer deaths were forecast in the United States). Further factors such as availability of and access to the latest technology and highly trained workers along with an active focus on innovation-based activities add to the segment’s strength.
European region is considered as a dominating region owing to the following:
European region features a dynamic regulatory domain which is appropriately scrutinous yet encouraging, and engenders growth and innovation via smoother market adoption and proper allocation of priority, apart from streamlining timely approval of novel antibody discovery-based therapeutics. Said scrutinous yet backing nature of European regulators guarantees the safety and efficacy of newly identified antibodies, in turn driving investment. Another favorable factor is the segment’s role of being a tactical biotechnology hub. The region also lays claim to extensive research capabilities characterized by collaboration.
Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period.
It is worth noting that China consolidated the largest market share in 2022 owing to its Biopharmaceutical industry experiencing an enormous evolutionary shift from generic drugs-oriented offerings to an innovation-focused framework on top of industrial progress as well as the integration of novel antibody discovery-based drugs and latest medical equipment into the country’s healthcare and medical market. India, on the other hand, is speculated to secure rapid rates of growth. Lastly, according to the SCImago Institutions Ranking, in 2022, there were reportedly around 170 research centers for medicine in China, 72 in Japan, 17 in India, and 53 in Australia, enabling further development and testing of novel antibodies, research on antibody sequences, and optimization of existing antibodies.
The antibody discovery market is associated with the following key players:
• NanoCellect Biomedical
• Aragen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
• Bruker Cellular Analysis
• BioDuro-Sundia
• Creative Biolabs
• Fairjourney Biologics S.A.
• Sartorius AG
• Biocytogen
• Genscript Technology Corporation
• Charles River Laboratories
• Twist Bioscience
• Evotec
• Eurofins Scientific
• Danaher Corporation
In recent years, the antibody discovery market has witnesses various developments, such as:
• Bruker Cellular Analysis issued a press release dated 3 October 2023, announcing its acquisition of PhenomeX, a prominent provider of single-cell biology tools for research, whose singular research tool offerings have attracted loyal customers in the antibody development space, among others. Bruker also offers a broad overview of the “Opto B Discovery Application” on their website, an offering that enables expeditious antibody screening and candidate finalization and is suited for small- to mid-sized Biopharma and CROs. It is also noted to be affordable allowing a broad customer access to antibody discovery market technologies.
• FairJourney Biologics was invited by UK’s Department for International Trade and awarded the ‘Investment Award’ for the fruitful merger in partnership with GHP Capital, with IONTAS (Cambridge, UK) in 2020, birthing a global “one-stop-shop for antibody discovery and development”, as noted in a press release issued by FairJourney Biologics dated 15 March 2022.
• Danaher Corporation issued a press release dated 5 February 2024, announcing the launch of a tactical teaming up with collaborator Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre aimed to span multiple years and enhance patient safety in early drug development, potentially saving billions of dollars in failed research and development productivity each year. Also, in a press release dated 6 December 2023, the company announced completion of Abcam (supplier of protein research tools to life scientists) acquisition for “$24.00 per share in cash”.
• Evotec, in a press release dated 6 March 2024, announced an agreement with Claris Ventures (Biotech venture capitalist firm) to streamline easy access to Evotec's entire range of pre-clinical and clinical development and manufacturing tools to drive programmes from Claris Ventures' portfolio companies into the clinic, building on fruitful collaboration between Evotec and Claris Ventures' portfolio company IAMA.
Antibody Discovery Market Scope:
Report Data | Antibody Discovery Market |
Antibody Discovery Market Forecast Value 2033 | 18.85Billion |
Antibody Discovery Market CAGR 2023 - 2033 | 9.57% |
Antibody Discovery Market Forecast Period | 2023 - 2033 |
Antibody Discovery Market Base Year | 2022 |
Regional Scope | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa |
Key Companies Profiled | NanoCellect Biomedical, Aragen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Bruker Cellular Analysis, BioDuro-Sundia, Creative Biolabs, Fairjourney Biologics S.A., Sartorius AG, Biocytogen, Genscript Technology Corporation, Charles River Laboratories, Twist Bioscience, Evotec, Eurofins Scientific, Danaher Corporation, and Others. |
Key Segments | By Methods By Nature By Antibody Type By End User By Region |
Report Coverage | Market Sizing, Market Forecasting, Market Dynamics, Market Trends, Market Development Analysis, Market Share Analysis, Regional Analysis, Competitive Positioning, Competitive Benchmarking, Competitive Landscape, Company Profiling, Regulation Analysis, etc. |
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