Antibody Discovery Market Size, Share, Growth by 2030

The antibody discovery market is anticipated to experience significant growth, with projections indicating an increase from US$ 2.94 billion in 2022 to US$ 4.92 billion by 2030. This growth trajectory suggests a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2022 to 2030.

Several factors are driving the expansion of the antibody discovery market, including heightened investments in research and development alongside a rising prevalence of cancer. The biopharmaceutical sector's growth, particularly its focus on biologics, has led to an increased demand for antibody research services. Collaborations between industry stakeholders and academic institutions are fostering resource sharing, which accelerates the antibody discovery process. Additionally, the trend towards patient-centered drug development, which prioritizes personalized medicine and patient preferences, is further propelling market growth.

Technological advancements such as high-throughput screening, phage display, and next-generation sequencing have significantly enhanced the efficiency and speed of antibody discovery. Increased funding for research and development from both governmental and private entities is also stimulating antibody discovery initiatives. Monoclonal antibodies are becoming increasingly popular in therapeutic applications due to their specificity and effectiveness in targeting specific antigens, leading to a heightened demand for antibody research services. Consequently, the growing need for antibody-based therapies and the trend towards outsourcing are expected to have a substantial impact on the antibody discovery market in the coming years.

The Rising Incidence of Cancer Fuels the Antibody Discovery Market

According to estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) published in 2020, there were approximately 19.3 million cancer cases globally, with the highest numbers reported in the US, China, and India. GLOBOCAN projects that cancer cases in India could reach around 2.08 million by 2040, marking a 57.5% increase from 2020. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in February 2022 that around 10 million people died from cancer worldwide. A report by the American Cancer Society indicated that approximately 16.9 million individuals with a history of cancer were living in the US as of January 2019, with projections suggesting that this number could rise to 22.1 million by January 2030, largely due to an aging population. The most commonly reported cancer types include lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. The increasing incidence of cancer has raised global health concerns, as illustrated in the following table of new cancer cases reported worldwide in 2020.

Table 1. New Cancer Cases Worldwide, in 2020

Sr. No. Cancer Type Number of Cases (Million)

1 Stomach 1.09

2 Skin (non-melanoma) 1.2

3 Prostate 1.41

4 Colon and rectum 1.93

5 Lung 2.21

6 Breast 2.26

Source: World Health Organization, February 2020

Cancer has become a lifestyle disease, often associated with poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco further increases the risk of developing cancer. In low- and middle-income countries, chronic infectious diseases can exacerbate cancer risk factors. The rising incidence of cancer underscores the urgent need for innovative treatment options. Monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a promising class of targeted anticancer agents that enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer cells. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have also shown encouraging results in cancer therapies. Advances in biotechnology are enabling researchers and companies to develop well-designed novel antibodies, paving the way for effective treatments for various cancer types. Thus, the increasing prevalence of cancer is a significant driver of growth in the antibody discovery market.

Market Trends

Advancements in Custom Antibodies

Antibodies are essential tools in research, allowing scientists across various fields to specify, identify, localize, and quantify protein targets. Recent advancements in medical technology have facilitated faster and more efficient antibody discoveries tailored to customer specifications. The integration of bioinformatics into antibody discovery has led to significant improvements in custom antibody research. Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to become a crucial tool in the development of custom antibodies. AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms can analyze extensive datasets, predict antibody-antigen interactions, and optimize antibody characteristics. These technologies can assist in design, screening, and lead optimization, as well as identify patterns, predict binding affinities, and prioritize antibody candidates for further study. The growing availability of big data analytics solutions and advancements in computational power, coupled with the need to efficiently analyze large-scale antibody screening data, are driving the adoption of AI and ML in antibody discovery. The integration of these technologies has the potential to enhance the success rates of antibody discovery projects and facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic antibodies.

The use of custom monoclonal antibodies is particularly appealing in oncology research. Most clinical trials utilize monoclonal antibodies derived from rabbits. For example, anti-VEGF, a humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (rabbit mAb), is currently undergoing clinical trials to assess its effects on metastatic colorectal cancer and other solid tumors. Similarly, anti-VEGF is being studied for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Rabbit-derived monoclonal antibodies are considered superior to those derived from mice due to their larger complementarity-determining region (CDR) in the antigen-binding site, allowing for the production of higher affinity clones. Creative Biolabs, for instance, offers a range of custom polyclonal and monoclonal antibody production services, from gene expression or peptide synthesis to antibody purification and labeling. Therefore, the trend towards custom monoclonal antibodies is expected to gain traction in the antibody discovery market during the forecast period.

The "Global Antibody Discovery Market" is categorized based on antibody type, nature, services, end users, and geographical regions.

Insights Based on Antibody Type

The antibody discovery market is segmented into monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, and others. The monoclonal antibodies segment accounted for a significant market share in 2022 and is projected to exhibit a higher CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are specifically designed to interact with diseased cells while sparing healthy cells. They are widely used in cancer therapy, representing a major application area. These biologics are gaining acceptance and are expected to present substantial opportunities for pharmaceutical manufacturers in the coming years. Furthermore, awareness of mAb therapies is increasing among both patients and healthcare providers. Consequently, the approval of blockbuster mAbs for various indications is likely to support the growth of the antibody discovery market during the forecast period. Notable FDA-approved drugs include Avastin, Herceptin, Remicade, and Rituxan, which are used for treating cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, among others.

Insights Based on End Users

The antibody discovery market is also segmented by end users, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research laboratories, and others. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to achieve a higher CAGR of 7.2% from 2022 to 2030.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies play a crucial role in the antibody discovery process due to their ability to identify specific antibodies for diseases and produce them at a commercial scale. The increasing demand for high-specificity antibodies for drug discovery and development, along with growing research in proteomics and genomics, the need for antibodies to identify new targets and assays, and rising R&D activities in therapeutic areas such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, immunodeficiency diseases, and blood disorders are key factors driving the demand for antibody discovery products, solutions, and services in these sectors.

Sources such as the US Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Cancer Observatory, World Health Organization, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) have been referenced in the preparation of the antibody discovery market research report.