Growth in size of global market primarily pushed ahead by increased investment in research and development associated with antibody discovery market, proliferation of infection-causing chronic diseases, and rise in individuals seeking timely detection/diagnosis of said diseases as well as individualized treatment. It is important to note that small- and medium-sized firms with a focus on development of therapeutic and diagnostic products prioritize increased research and development investments on a yearly basis. Abzena, a pharmaceutical company, is an example of increased research and development spending undertaken in September 2022. As far as infection-causing chronic diseases are concerned, numerous examples such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, etc., exist. Also, conduction of awareness-generating programs on timely diagnosis and improved treatment feed the demand for diagnostic testing such as oncology testing and immunology testing. Lastly, noted popularity of personalized medicine, which is tailored medical treatment based on available biological information from biomarker and genetic testing with an aim to design customizable antibodies serving to target specific pathogens, cannot be overstated.
Challenges facing the antibody discovery market relate primarily to “antigen identification”. Antigen identification is the identification of appropriate antigens given the disease being dealt with. It is a complex undertaking that takes considerable time. This may delay the commencement of antibody discovery market projects, and consequentially curtail the development of highly specific antibodies, cause divergence of effects off intended target(s), and cumulatively increase the probability of project failure. Some strategies to counter such challenges involve leveraging omics technologies and advanced screening methods to further fine-tune the identification and authentication of appropriate antigens.
The antibody discovery market is segmented based on methods, nature, antibody type, end users, and region.
Based on nature, the antibody discovery market is further segmented into Humanized antibody, Human antibody, Chimeric antibody, and Murine antibody.
Humanized antibody segment outdid all other segments in terms of revenue contribution to the market in 2022 owing to increased acceptance and adoption of human antibodies-based drugs since they promise higher specificity, stability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other segment types. Humanized antibodies are genetically engineered by combining the variable domains of mouse Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that identified a human antigen of interest with the constant domains of human antibodies.
Human antibodies are sourced from human immune system, promise pronounced safety profiles, contain possibility of the usually unwanted physiological response termed “immunogenicity”, and ensure higher efficacy. They feature compatibility with human targets fulfilling the functions of promising pronounced therapeutic potency while restraining the risk of immunogenicity. The Human antibody segment’s offerings are in concordance with the rising demand for personalized medicine and are backed by industry regulators owing to their preferred safety profiles.
Chimeric antibodies account for a tenth of all antibodies that are clinically approved. Their development is hence currently limited. Their production serves intermediary purposes in antibody humanization processes and, sometimes, as controls and calibrators for immunoassays in dedicated research and diagnostics applications.
Murine monoclonal antibodies were the first ever antibodies to be produced at a lab-scale due to the formulation of the Hybridoma technology in 1975. They continue to facilitate further antibody humanization processes by serving as requisite frameworks for the same. Their decades-spanning use has helped build up a reservoir of resources.
Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period.
The regional Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries have recorded an accelerated expansionary trend on top of a thriving healthcare infrastructure. The region represents reduced costs associated with running operations, promises availability of and access to highly trained technical workers, and features governmental measures taken to incentivize and promote innovation within antibody discovery market, in turn, attracting global players. The regional rise in cases of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases has also necessitated growth (according to an article published in ‘The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia’ in 2023, as of 2017, cardiovascular disease accounted for ~26.6% of total deaths in India, relative to ~15.2% in 1990). Additionally, Asia-Pacific’s populous patient demographic opens up opportunities for antibody discovery-based therapeutic procedures such as personalized medicine.
The antibody discovery market has been characterized by intense competition, with numerous companies vying for market share. Prominent entities in the market include 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, and Danaher Corporation.
