Market Trends of Biopharmaceutical Fermentation Industry
Chromatography Segment Expects to Register a Significant CAGR Over the Forecast Period
Significant growth is projected for the chromatography segment in the biopharmaceutical fermentation market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by rising demand for innovative biopharmaceutical drugs and the introduction of new products.
Chromatography separates molecules based on size, charge, hydrophobicity, and specific ligand binding. The choice of chromatography type depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of the fermentation products. For example, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is employed to purify recombinant human insulin and separate biological variant insulin molecules from various species.
The introduction of new chromatography devices is expanding the segment's product portfolio. For instance, in November 2023, 3M expanded its chromatographic clarifier lineup with the Harvest RC Chromatographic Clarifier, BT500. This 500-mL, single-use clarifier is tailored for monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and biologics, delivering predictive yield samples in just 10 minutes from a 5–8% packed cell volume (PCV) culture.
In October 2022, Tosoh Bioscience GmbH unveiled the Octave BIO Multi-Column Chromatography (MCC) system, designed for downstream process intensification. Paired with SkillPak BIO pre-packed columns, it streamlines pre-clinical process development. Octave BIO is the one of the first in a series of MCC instruments targeting all biomolecule manufacturing phases, from pre-clinical to clinical and GMP production.
Strategic partnerships between pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are set to enhance chromatography solutions for efficient downstream processing. For example, in February 2024, Purolite and Repligen Corporation launched Praesto CH1, a 70μm agarose-based affinity resin, tailored for purifying specialized mAbs like bispecifics and recombinant antibody fragments.
Given these developments, especially product launches and collaborations between pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, the chromatography segment is poised for substantial growth in the coming years.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
North America is set for significant growth in the biopharmaceutical sector during the forecast period. This expansion is driven by a rising demand for biotech medications, heightened research and development activities, and increased investments in biopharmaceutical fermentation. Additionally, as chronic diseases become more prevalent, medication consumption rises, further propelling the biopharmaceutical sector. This trend not only boosts the demand for biologics and biotech drugs but also underscores the importance of biopharmaceutical fermentation.
Strategic moves by industry players, such as technological advancements, product launches, approvals, fundraising, and partnerships, are expected to drive market growth. For example, in January 2024, WuXi Biologics in the U.S. upgraded its new facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. This enhancement is set to raise the facility's commercial drug substance capacity from 24,000 liters to 36,000 liters, in response to growing service demand. Such an increase in capacity is poised to amplify the utilization of biopharmaceutical fermentation.
Furthermore, rising disease prevalence in North America, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer, is bolstering the market. These diseases drive the demand for biotech and biological drugs, produced through biopharmaceutical fermentation. Highlighting this, a 2023 report from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) emphasized the escalating cancer burden in Canada, signaling a growing opportunity for new biopharmaceuticals and, consequently, market growth.
In January 2024, Eurofins CDMO unveiled its pilot-scale biologic drug development facility in Ontario, tailored for pharmaceutical companies. This facility offers range of services, such as upstream and downstream development, supplies for preclinical or Phase 1 trials. Additionally, in October 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific boosted its manufacturing capacity in St. Louis, Missouri, for biologics production. The company further expanded its biopharmaceutical footprint by launching a cell therapy manufacturing facility in San Francisco, California, in March 2023.
Given the rising burdens of diseases like diabetes and cancer, the growing demand for biopharmaceutical fermentation, and heightened corporate activities, the market is poised for growth in the coming years.
