Biotechnology Up-Stream and Down-Stream Processing Technology Analysis (Technical Insights)

Research Overview

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Biotechnology: UpStream and DownStream Processing Technology Analysis examines the developments in bioprocessing and enabling technologies such as transgenic production of proteins in plants, microorganisms, mammalian cells, and eggs. It also includes an in-depth analysis of new separation technologies for downstream processing and technologies for genetically engineering more potent antibodies and enzymes with higher activity, among others. In this study, Frost & Sullivan’s expert analysts thoroughly examine both upstream and downstream processing of biotechnology.

Market Overview

Biopharmaceuticals Experience Rapid Growth as Manufacturing becomes Cheaper and Demand for Enzymes Rises

The global market for biopharmaceuticals has been growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 30 percent over the last five years. "Currently, this market is likely to be worth around $50 billion," according to the analyst of this study. "More than 500 products are estimated to be in active clinical trails."

Manufacturing can constitute as much as half of a pharmaceutical company's expenses. Due to these expenditures, pharmaceutical companies opt for biotech processing - both upstream and downstream - to increase production and reduce costs. Moreover, enzymes currently used in many end-user industries such as agriculture, food processing, textiles, detergents, and pharmaceuticals are in demand. This growth in demand is creating opportunities for novel enzymes or their applications. This, in turn, fuels research requirements in bioprocess and handling.

Soaring Sales of Monoclonal Antibodies and Advantages of Biocatalysis Over Chemical Synthesis Drive Growth of Biotechnology

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a primary sector of the biopharmaceuticals market. The specificity of mAbs against antigens has tremendous clinical value, making them effective therapeutic agents. Many large-sized pharmaceutical companies are looking at mAb research more closely after the success of products such as Remicade and Rituxan. Processes for the purification of these antibodies will have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.

On another front, biocatalysis provides major advantages over standard chemical syntheses, such as its use in producing chiral compounds with lower production costs than synthetic techniques. This is likely to tilt the biotechnology market in its favor as cost of materials drives the entire pharmaceutical industry. Separation also plays a major role in pharmaceutical product development, due to the need to separate the target molecule resulting from chemical synthesis. "As a result, costs are high because of solvent consumption and lower throughputs in the development stage," notes the analyst. "Separation technologies that are scalable from the analytical stage through to the industrial scale are in demand." Overall, due to various factors in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology is likely to be in very high demand.