Segments - Difficult-to-express Proteins Market by Protein Type (Proteases, Kinases, Membrane Proteins, and Others), Expression Technology (Cell-free Protein Synthesis, Prokaryotic Expression Systems, SUMO Fusion Systems, Gene Fusion System, and Others), Application (Drug Discovery, Protein Purification, Biopharmaceuticals, Protein Therapeutics, and Disease Diagnostics & Monitoring), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2024 – 2032
The global difficult-to-express proteins market size was USD 4.9 Billion in 2023 and is likely to reach USD 13.8 Billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 12.2% during 2024–2032. The market growth is attributed to the rising demand for protein therapeutics and drug discoveries and increasing demand for recombinant protein.
Difficult-to-express proteins, despite their potential as drug targets and therapeutic tools, pose a significant challenge due to their complex structures and production difficulties. These proteins often clump together, require specific modifications, or have intricate folding patterns that current expression systems struggle to replicate. Overcoming these hurdles requires substantial investment and expertise, limiting their accessibility for small research groups.
Advancements in artificial intelligence and new expression technologies offer promising solutions. AI virtually designs and optimize these proteins for improved production, while novel methods, such as cell-free synthesis or microfluidics provide control over the expression environment. Difficult-to-express proteins have the potential to revolutionize various fields, from drug discovery to protein-based therapeutics, as these innovations continue to develop.
AI algorithms act as powerful tools for designing and optimizing difficult-to-express proteins. By analyzing vast datasets of protein structures and sequences, they predict to changes in a protein's makeup will impact its folding, stability, and overall function. This allows researchers to virtually tailor expression systems or engineer the proteins themselves for improved solubility, high yields, and desired functionalities.
AI algorithms are being used to predict protein structures and design expression systems effectively. This accelerates the process of optimizing protein production and potentially lead to the creation of entirely new functional proteins. For instance,
In January 2023, Evozyne, a US-based biotech company has unveiled a powerful new AI tool named Protein Transformer Variational AutoEncoder. This technology acts as a platform specifically designed to train and use powerful language models for biological applications. This cutting-edge approach to deep learning opens exciting possibilities for using data to design and engineer proteins with tailored functions. In simple terms, Evozyne's AI creates new proteins with specific jobs based on a massive amount of biological data.
Rising demand for protein therapeutics and drug discoveries is propelling the market. Rising global burden of chronic and lethal diseases is surging the demand for R&D activities for drug discovery. Furthermore, the increasing demand for recombinant proteins is fueling the market. For instance,
In 2022, the annual report of Prolia (Denosumab), a recombinant human monoclonal antibody, registered a growth of 12% in its annual sales, reaching USD 3,628 million in 2022 as compared to USD 3,248 million in 2021.
Technical challenges in the producing the difficult-to-express proteins such as protein folding and post-translational modifications is hindering the global market. Moreover, high development costs of these proteins for its R&D are restraining the market.
Novel expression technologies such as cell-free protein synthesis, microfluidic technologies, and engineered expression systems is creating opportunities in the market. Researchers are constantly developing new and improved methods for producing difficult-to-express proteins.
The market report includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Difficult-to-Express Proteins Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2023 |
Historic Data |
2017–2022 |
Forecast Period |
2024–2032 |
Segmentation |
Protein Type (Proteases, Kinases, Membrane Proteins, and Others), Expression Technology (Cell-free Protein Synthesis, Prokaryotic Expression Systems, SUMO Fusion Systems, Gene Fusion System, and Others), and Application (Drug Discovery, Protein Purification, Biopharmaceuticals, Protein Therapeutics, and Disease Diagnostics & Monitoring) |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report |
BioLegend Inc.; Enzo Life Sciences; LifeSensors Inc.; Lucigen ; Novasep Holding SAS; Rentschler Biopharma SE; Research and Development Systems; Sino Biological; StressMarq Biosciences; and Thermo Fisher Scientific |
In terms of region, the global difficult-to-express proteins market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the global market in 2023 owing to the presence of strong market players. Moreover, increasing R&D activities is propelling the regional market. Additionally, growing investments by biopharmaceutical companies in this region is accelerating the regional market. For instance,
In July 2022 a report by a biopharmaceutical industry group named Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) showed nearly USD 97 Billion invested in R&D by the companies in the US. Surge in biopharmaceutical research is a major reason why the market for difficult-to-produce proteins is growing rapidly.
The market in Europe is projected to grow at a significant pace in the coming years owing to a significant number of sales of difficult-to-express proteins. Furthermore, increasing investments by government and private organizations are propelling the regional market. Moreover, rising prevalence of chronic disease is increasing the requirement for a proper treatment technique, thus boosting the regional market.
Based on protein type, the difficult-to-express proteins market is divided into proteases, kinases, membrane proteins, and others. The membrane protein segment held the largest share of the market in 2023 owing to the increasing R&D activities. Moreover, the membrane proteins are a major target for drugs, thus driving the segment. Companies are actively developing new technologies and methods for efficient expression, purification, and functional analysis of membrane proteins, thus propelling the segment.
The proteases segment is anticipated to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand in various industries such as, food & beverage, and detergents, pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, growing awareness about health and hygiene is fueling the segment. Additionally, the upcoming innovations in protein technology such as genetic engineering and fermentations is expected to boost the segment during the forecast period.
On the basis of expression technology, the global market is segregated into cell-free protein synthesis, prokaryotic expression systems, sumo fusion systems, gene fusion system, and others. The prokaryotic expression systems segment is anticipated to register a considerable CAGR in during the forecast period due to its simplicity and speed. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of E. coli cultures in its growth and maintenance is boosting the segment.
The cell-free protein synthesis segment is projected to register a robust growth rate during the assessment years owing to several reasons. The cell-free protein synthesis technology offers several advantages, including speed, bypassing the need for live cells, and the potential for protein expression under specific conditions. Moreover, the growing popularity and suitability for certain protein types is driving the segment.
In terms of application, the difficult-to-express proteins market is segmented into drug discovery, protein purification, biopharmaceuticals, protein therapeutics, and disease diagnostics & monitoring. The drug discovery segment registers a robust growth in 2023 owing to the high demand of new drugs. Moreover, the versatile application of difficult-to-express proteins such as identification and validation of target drugs, development of high-throughput screening assays, and study of protein-drug interactions, is fueling the segment significantly.
The biopharmaceutical segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period owing to the increasing demand for novel therapeutics. Moreover, the focus on target therapeutics and increasing investments in biopharmaceuticals by key players are propelling the segment. For instance,
In July 2023, a Finland-based biopharmaceutical company, Biovian Oy, contracts development and manufacturing services (CDMO), announced a major investment of over USD 53.249 million to enlarge their production. This strategic investment aims to meet the escalating demand for top-tier biopharmaceutical manufacturing services, further solidifying Biovian Oy's position as a reliable partner in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Key players competing in the global difficult-to-express proteins market are BioLegend Inc.; Enzo Life Sciences; LifeSensors Inc.; Lucigen ; Novasep Holding SAS; Rentschler Biopharma SE; Research and Development Systems; Sino Biological; StressMarq Biosciences; and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
In March 2022, Cobepa Inc., recently acquired Reaction Biology Corporation. The financial details of the deal were not revealed. This strategic move by Cobepa Inc. aims to give Reaction Biology Corporation resources and capital to improve serve the ever-changing needs of the biopharmaceutical industry.