Research Antibodies Market Trends

Growth Drivers  

• Rise of proteomics and genomics research: The rapid advancements in proteomics and genomics research are driving the research antibodies market. Increasing complexity in proteomics and genomics research warrants a wider range of research antibodies to study specific proteins and genes. In 2023, the latest findings from the Human Proteome Project (HGP) were shared in the Journal of Proteome Research. As per the latest findings, 18,397 of the 19,778 neXtProt predicted proteins in the human genome have been identified. Similarly, the HGP identified numerous unknown genes and proteins, leading to the identification of new drug targets and thereby increasing the demand for antibodies.

• Enhanced focus on biomarker development: The increasing focus on biomarker research has driven the demand for research antibodies targeting specific proteins that are associated with various diseases. Increasing investments and funds in research have spurred the growth of antibody engineering techniques. In 2021, Roche’s VENTANA PD L1 antibody received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

• Increasing need for personalized medicine: With considerable investments in genome studies, treatments for individual patients based on their genetic profile are possible which has driven the demand for antibodies. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques identify human genomes faster and more accurately. These trends have led to a paradigm shift in the healthcare sector as personalized medicine demands have increased. As per a paper published at the University of Cape Town, the time and cost required to develop personalized therapies can be reduced through SNAP-tag fusion proteins that are based on antibodies.

Challenges  

• High cost of production: The production cost of research antibodies is high which can prove as a deterrent to market growth. Maintaining quality and also getting approval from regulatory bodies can escalate the production costs. The lack of cost-effectiveness can diminish the accessibility to smaller institutions or in emerging economies which can hamper the research antibodies market growth.

• Concerns on quality: The lack of standardization in antibody production casts aspersion on quality control. Numerous studies have been retracted due to unreliable results which increases the time and investment in research. For instance, Nature Cell Biology research on insulin regulation was retracted after antibodies used in the research were deemed to be unspecific. Additionally, batch-to-batch variation and production bias pose challenges in reproducing findings.