Plant-Based Vaccines Market Size, Trends and Growth Analysis by 2027

The global market for plant-based vaccines is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately US$ 2,672.05 million by 2028, up from US$ 1,143.72 million in 2021. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2021 to 2028.

Several factors are driving this market expansion, including increased research and development (R&D) efforts and a rising incidence of infectious diseases. However, challenges such as the potential for contamination and environmental concerns associated with vaccine production may hinder market growth during the forecast period.

One of the key advantages of plant-based vaccines is their cost-effectiveness and scalability in production. These vaccines are generally well-accepted by patients and exhibit stability for long-term storage of antigens. Additionally, they contribute to alleviating the economic burden posed by infectious diseases on a global scale. Various plants, including potato, rice, maize, tomato, carrot, tobacco, soybean, and peanut, have been utilized in the development of these vaccines, with the choice of plant often depending on the intended route of vaccine administration. Numerous clinical trials are currently underway to explore plant-based vaccines for therapeutic applications, targeting diseases such as influenza, flu, and the Ebola virus.

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, and can be transmitted between individuals either directly or indirectly. These diseases can be categorized into three main groups: those that result in high mortality rates, those that cause significant disability within populations, and those that can spread rapidly and unexpectedly, leading to severe global repercussions. Many factors contributing to infectious diseases are outside the direct control of the healthcare sector.

The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza, the common cold, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis A and B, is expected to drive demand for plant-based vaccines throughout the forecast period. The first case of COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has posed significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, with hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs) facing overwhelming pressure. This situation necessitates the efficient allocation of healthcare resources, as providers struggle to care for critically ill patients with limited access to essential equipment and skilled personnel. The urgency to prevent the deterioration of COVID-19 patients and to avoid ICU admissions is paramount, highlighting the critical need for new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent future outbreaks.

Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites, remains the most prevalent tropical disease affecting humans, with rising incidence and mortality rates. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines available for malaria, which intensifies the demand for effective and reliable anti-malaria vaccines capable of protecting against various stages of parasitic infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were approximately 216 million malaria cases globally in 2016, resulting in 445,000 deaths. The plant-based vaccine market is also expected to benefit from the increasing rates of influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that influenza led to 49 million symptomatic illnesses and 79,000 deaths in the United States during the 2017-2018 season. Therefore, the growing incidence of infectious diseases worldwide is anticipated to significantly enhance the growth of the plant-based vaccines market during the forecast period.

The global plant-based vaccines market is categorized by application into segments such as influenza, Zika virus, Ebola virus, poultry disease, COVID-19, and others. The influenza segment currently holds the largest market share, while the COVID-19 segment is projected to experience the highest CAGR of 13.8% during the forecast period.

Key sources referenced in the preparation of this report on the plant-based vaccines market include the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).