Market Trends of Single-use Bioprocessing Industry
Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
The biopharmaceutical manufacturer segment is expected to grow significantly in the single-use bioprocessing market over the forecast period owing to factors such as the rising adoption of single-use technologies and systems, increasing demand for biologics, and growing company activities. In addition, some of the advantages offered by single-use technologies and products, such as reduced initial investment and research and development costs, low labor and material costs, and easy disposal over conventional bioprocessing methods, are also increasing their adoption across the biopharmaceutical industry. Additionally, these single-use bioprocessing plants produce a 35% more favorable carbon dioxide (CO2) balance than stainless steel reactors used in conventional bioprocessing and are highly adopted by the manufacturer.
The growing investment in research, development, and production of biopharmaceuticals by these companies is expected to be the key driving factor for biopharmaceutical manufacturers' high demand for single-use bio processors during the forecast period.
For instance, in April 2023, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), granted a fund of GBP 12 million (~USD 15 million) to fund the Future Vaccines Manufacturing Hub for the next seven years, up to 2030. Further, the hub wants to make the United Kingdom the global center for vaccine discovery, development, and manufacture. This is expected to increase investments in the region further and drive the demand for single-use bioprocessing products such as filtration assemblies, disposable/single-use bioreactors, and disposable mixers.
The rising number of biologics approvals is also contributing to the increased demand for single-use bioreactors and technologies. For instance, in February 2023, the US FDA approved Bioverativ Therapeutics's Altuviio, a first-in-class, high-sustained factor VIII replacement therapy. It is indicated for routine prophylaxis, on-demand treatment to control bleeding episodes, and perioperative management (surgery) for adults and children with hemophilia A. In January 2022, Moderna Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, received approval for the Biologics License Application for Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) from the FDA to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Moreover, the companies are opening up single-use bioprocessing plants to expand their protein, cell line, and process development services. For instance, in April 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a 55,000 sq. ft single-use technology (SUT) facility in Ogden to increase the production of single-use bioprocess containers for developing vaccines and therapies. The plant provides additional capacity to produce various techniques and materials needed to develop emerging vaccines and breakthrough therapies. The facility manufactures customizable bioprocess container (BPC) systems for the delivery, processing, separation, storage, and transportation of liquids.
Therefore, due to factors such as the high number of biologics, growing strategic activities, and facility-expanding activities by the key players, the segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant market share over the forecast period owing to the increasing research and development spending, the presence of large manufacturing units, the growing popularity of disposables, increasing healthcare expenditure, the well-established biopharmaceutical sector, and widespread availability of various single-use assembly products for bioprocessing supplied by regional market leaders.
Furthermore, an increase in investment by the US government to support the bioprocessing industry, the presence of prominent players in the country, and the rising number of product developments by the major players are projected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
The government authorities in Canada are highly focused on the biomanufacturing and pharma sectors to meet the rising demand for medicines and biologics. For instance, data published by the government of Canada in June 2023 stated that it invested about USD 2.1 billion in 36 projects in the biomanufacturing, vaccine, and therapeutics ecosystem, strengthening domestic pandemic response capabilities and life science innovation. The investments were spread across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada. Thus, such investments in biomanufacturing are likely to create a high demand for single-use assemblies in the country, as the single-use technologies can lower turn-around costs by reducing or eliminating the need for expensive stainless-steel equipment and the associated expenses of installation and cleaning. This is expected to ultimately fuel market growth over the forecast period.
The government is investing enormously in developing biopharmaceutical products, which is expected to drive the market for single-use bioreactors, containers, media, filtration assemblies, and others, propelling market growth. For instance, as per the fact sheet released in September 2022 by the Department of Health and Human Services, the government planned to invest USD 40 million to expand the role of biomanufacturing for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), antibiotics, and the critical starting materials needed to produce essential medications and respond to pandemics.
Additionally, the rising company activities in establishing single-use bioprocessing plants and launching new products such as bioreactors, filtration assemblies, and other consumables are also expected to contribute to market growth in the region. For instance, in March 2024, Single Use Support, one of the leading providers of fluid management and freeze-thaw logistic solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, expanded its services and opened a new office in Lexington, Massachusetts, equipped with a product showroom. Single Use Support’s portfolio includes its patented RoSS Shell for single-use bags, which are designed to reduce the risk of product loss and increase process efficiency during cold chain handling.
Similarly, in November 2022, Cardinal Health expanded its single-use device reprocessing facility in Riverview, Florida, with a capacity of 100,000 sq. ft. Thus, owing to such strategic expansions by the key players, the demand for single-use assemblies is likely to rise, thereby fueling market growth over the forecast period.
Therefore, owing to factors such as government investment activities and new product launches by the key players, the market studied is expected to grow significantly in the region over the forecast period.
