Protein Expression Market

Protein Expression Market by Cell Expression (Prokaryotic Expression, Eukaryotic Expression, Yeast Expression, Insect Based Expression, Mammalian Based Expression, and Cell Free Expression), Product (Reagents & Kits, Vectors, Competent Cells, and Others), Application (Therapeutics, Industrial, and Research), End-Users (Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Companies, Research Centers, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) is expected to grow at a steady CAGR forecast till 2032 owing to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases leading to increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals, and growing technological advancement in protein expression domain.

The global protein expression market was valued at USD 3,603.20 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.67% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032 to reach USD 6,491.18 million by 2032. The market for protein expression is primarily driven by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases leading to increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Additionally, the increasing research and development in proteomics, structural biology, therapeutic protein development, personalized medicine, and continuous technological advancements in the field of protein expression are some of the crucial drivers, that are propelling market of protein expression market during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

Protein Expression Market Dynamics:

According to the latest data from the Global Cancer Observatory (2025), an estimated 20 million new cancer cases were reported globally in 2022. This number is projected to rise significantly, reaching approximately 32.6 million by 2045. In Europe alone, new cancer cases were estimated at 4.47 million in 2022, with projections indicating an increase to 5.48 million by 2045. As cancer incidence continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for advanced research focused on identifying novel biomarkers to better understand cancer progression and develop innovative treatment strategies. This rising demand is fueling the need for high-quality protein expression systems, which are essential for producing large quantities of proteins used in diagnostics, drug development, and personalized medicine thereby driving growth in the protein expression market.

Technological advancements in protein expression have significantly transformed the biotechnology landscape by improving the efficiency and yield of protein production. A notable innovation is the development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which allows for precise genetic modifications to optimize gene expression pathways. One of the major benefits of CRISPR is its ability to enhance the development of recombinant proteins critical components in therapeutic applications such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. By enabling researchers to edit genes with high specificity, CRISPR facilitates the creation of customized cell lines capable of producing proteins with improved characteristics, such as enhanced stability or activity. For example, CRISPR can be employed to knock out inhibitory genes or introduce genes that boost the production of therapeutic proteins, thereby improving yields and reducing production costs.

Moreover, increased product development activities by key market players are further propelling the protein expression market. For instance, in November 2023, Lonza launched its new GS Effex® cell line, designed to support the development of therapeutic antibodies with enhanced potency. This platform offers a reliable protein expression system that enables efficient production of monoclonal antibodies with increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).

Despite these advancements, technical challenges associated with protein production, along with the need for sophisticated and complex infrastructure, may pose minor obstacles to the continued growth of the protein expression market.

Protein Expression Market Segment Analysis:

Protein Expression Market by Cell Expression (Prokaryotic Expression, Eukaryotic Expression, Yeast Expression, Insect Based Expression, Mammalian Based Expression, and Cell Free Expression), Product (Reagents & Kits, Vectors, Competent Cells, and Others), Application (Therapeutics, Industrial, and Research), End-Users (Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Companies, Research Centers, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

In the host cell expression segment of the protein expression market, the cell-free protein expression category is estimated to have a significant revenue share in the protein expression market in 2024. Cell-free protein expression, also known as in vitro protein synthesis, offers several advantages over traditional cell-based protein expression systems, significantly impacting the protein expression market. In cell-free systems, the protein synthesis machinery is extracted from cells and used in a controlled, cell-free environment, allowing for rapid and efficient production of proteins. This method bypasses the complexities of maintaining living cells, reducing the time and cost associated with cell culture and transformation. The growing adoption of cell-free protein expression is driving market growth by catering to the increasing demand for recombinant proteins in research, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. It accelerates the development of novel therapeutics, including vaccines and biologics, by enabling rapid prototyping and optimization of protein candidates.

 Furthermore, cell-free systems are instrumental in high-throughput screening and synthetic biology, supporting the design and production of complex protein assemblies and pathways. The flexibility, speed, and scalability of cell-free protein expression make it an attractive option for companies seeking to streamline their production processes and innovate in protein engineering. As a result, the protein expression market is experiencing a boost, driven by technological advancements and expanding applications of cell-free systems.

Additionally, the increasing number of mergers and acquisitions across the globe further boosts the revenue for cell-free protein expression category. For instance, in March 2022, BigHat Biosciences, Inc. acquired Frugi Biotechnology, which develops cost-effective, high-quality cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) technology. BigHat plans to integrate CFPS into its AI/ML-enabled drug discovery platform to rapidly scale and meet growing demands from partners and internal therapeutic programs.

Furthermore, in January 2023, Moderna acquired OriCiro Genomics, a leading innovator in cell-free DNA synthesis and amplification technologies. This acquisition provides Moderna with top-tier tools for cell-free synthesis and amplification of plasmid DNA, essential for mRNA manufacturing.

Thus, all the above-mentioned factors are expected to escalate the revenue of cell-free protein expression category thereby boosting the overall market of protein expression.

North America is expected to dominate the overall protein expression market:

North America is expected to account for the highest proportion of the protein expression market in 2024, out of all regions. The rising incidence of cancer in North America is driving demand for protein expression due to its critical role in cancer research, diagnostics, and treatment. Further various ongoing strategic initiatives between companies and academic institutions to develop innovative protein expression technologies and growing technological advancements along with increased demand for sophisticated protein-based therapeutics are collectively playing a vital role in boosting the protein expression market in North America.

According to recent data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2025), in 2022, North America saw an estimated 2.67 million new cases of cancer, with forecasts indicating a rise to 3.83 million by 2045. As per the same source, in Canada, the number of new cancer cases was around 292,000 in 2022, projected to reach 449,000 by 2045. Meanwhile, in Mexico, there were approximately 207,000 new cases of cancer in 2022, expected to increase to 360,000 by 2045. Thus, the increasing incidence of cancer in North America is significantly boosting the market for protein expression due to its critical role in cancer research, diagnostics, and treatment. As cancer rates rise, there is a growing demand for effective and targeted therapies, many of which rely on protein-based drugs such as monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and vaccines.

The upward momentum of the market is anticipated to be supported by strategic initiatives between companies and academic institutions to develop innovative protein expression technologies in North America. Numerous players are also employing strategic initiatives to expand their market presence. For instance, in August 2022, BioIVT announced the acquisition of Cypex, enhancing its product range of proteins and complementing BioIVT’s solutions for drug research and development.

Additionally, the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, is a major driver of the protein expression market. For instance, as per the latest facts provided by the Food and Drug Administration (2024), as of 2023 the FDA approved over 100 monoclonal antibodies for cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases, and inflammatory conditions, among other indications. For example, in May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to tarlatamab-dlle (MDELLTRA) for extensive stage small cell lung cancer. MDELLTRA is a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®, (scFv)2-scFc)) antibody targeting DLL3 on tumor cells and CD3 on patient T cells. It includes Fc mutations (N297G; R292C, V302C) to extend its half-life, enhancing therapeutic effects by facilitating T cell-mediated tumor cell destruction. Thus, this increased demand for sophisticated protein-based therapeutics necessitates robust protein expression systems to produce these complex molecules at high quality and scale. Consequently, the continuous approval of such cutting-edge therapies not only highlights the need for efficient protein expression technologies but also propels investments and advancements in the field, significantly boosting the market for protein expression.

Thus, the above-mentioned factors are expected to escalate the market of protein expression in North America during the forecast period.

Protein Expression Market Key Players:

Some of the key market players operating in the protein expression market include Agilent Technologies Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, Lonza Bioscience, Promega, BioLinker, Biotechrabbit, CellFreeSciences, Creative Biolabs, QIAGEN, Biocon Biologics Ltd., Takara Bio, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Genscript Biotech Corporation, Hudson Robotics Inc., BD, Oxford Expression Technologies, and others.

Recent Developmental Activities in the Protein Expression Market:

• In June 2024, Syngene International Ltd., a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), unveiled a new protein production platform. This platform integrates a cell line and transposon-based technology licensed from Swiss biotech company ExcellGene with Syngene’s proprietary clone selection and development processes.
• In July 2023, Lonza Bioscience launched the TheraPRO CHO Media System, a new cell culture platform that enhances productivity and protein quality, especially with GS-CHO cell lines. This system aids pharmaceutical and biotech companies in producing therapeutic proteins more efficiently, improving quality and speeding up time-to-market.

Key Takeaways from the Protein Expression Market Report Study

• Market size analysis for current protein expression size (2024), and market forecast for 8 years (2025 to 2032)
• Top key product/technology developments, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures happened over the last 3 years.
• Key companies dominating the protein expression market.
• Various opportunities available for the other competitors in the protein expression market space.
• What are the top-performing segments in 2024? How these segments will perform in 2032?
• Which are the top-performing regions and countries in the current protein expression market scenario?
• Which are the regions and countries where companies should have concentrated on opportunities for protein expression market growth in the coming future?

Target Audience Who Can be Benefited From This Protein Expression Market Report Study

• Protein expression product providers
• Research organizations and consulting companies
• Protein expression-related organizations, associations, forums, and other alliances
• Government and corporate offices
• Start-up companies, venture capitalists, and private equity firms
• Distributors and traders dealing in protein expression
• Various end-users who want to know more about the protein expression market and the latest technological developments in the protein expression market. 

Frequently Asked Questions for the Protein Expression Market:

1. What is protein expression?

• Protein expression is the process by which a gene's DNA sequence is used to synthesize proteins. It involves transcribing the DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) and translating the mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids, which fold into functional proteins. This process occurs in cells or in vitro systems and is crucial for biological research, biotechnology, and drug development. Protein expression is essential for studying protein function, producing therapeutic proteins like antibodies, and advancing our understanding of diseases and biological processes.

2. What is the market for protein expression?

• The global protein expression market was valued at USD 3,603.20 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.67% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032 to reach USD 6,491.18 million by 2032.

3. What are the drivers for the global protein expression market?

• The market for protein expression is primarily being driven by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases leading to increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Additionally, the increasing research and development in proteomics, structural biology, therapeutic protein development, personalized medicine, and continuous technological advancements in the field of protein expression are some of the crucial drivers, that are propelling market of protein expression market during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

4. Who are the key players operating in the global protein expression market?

• Some of the key market players operating in protein expression are Agilent Technologies Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, Lonza Bioscience, Promega, BioLinker, Biotechrabbit, CellFreeSciences, Creative Biolabs, QIAGEN, Biocon Biologics Ltd., Takara Bio, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Genscript Biotech Corporation, Hudson Robotics Inc., BD, Oxford Expression Technologies, and others.

5. Which region has the highest share in the global protein expression market?

• North America is expected to account for the highest proportion of the protein expression market in 2024, out of all regions. The rising incidence of cancer in North America is driving demand for protein expression due to its critical role in cancer research, diagnostics, and treatment. Further various ongoing strategic initiatives between companies and academic institutions to develop innovative protein expression technologies and ongoing technological advancements along with increased demand for sophisticated protein-based therapeutics are some of the key factors boosting the demand for the protein expression market.