The global protein expression market size was estimated at USD 3,749.3 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5,619.8 million by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2025 to 2030. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for recombinant proteins used in a wide range of therapeutic applications, including biologics, vaccines, enzymes, and antibodies. Continuous advancements in biotechnology have significantly improved the efficiency, scalability, and yield of protein production systems, enabling manufacturers to meet rising demand more effectively. In addition, the growing focus on personalized medicine has increased the need for customized protein-based therapies tailored to individual patient profiles, further stimulating market expansion. These factors collectively support the steady growth trajectory of the global protein expression market.

The protein expression market is experiencing strong momentum due to the rising adoption of personalized therapeutics and the rapid expansion of research and development activities across academic, clinical, and industrial settings. Protein therapeutics discovery is increasingly driven by advances in protein engineering techniques, along with the artificial construction of recombinant proteins designed to achieve specific biological functions. Technological progress is creating favorable opportunities to enhance patient care by enabling the development of precision-based medical therapies that offer improved efficacy and safety profiles. Moreover, strategic collaborations between biotechnology companies and academic institutions aimed at developing innovative protein expression technologies are expected to sustain upward market momentum. For example, in February 2025, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in India launched a joint call for proposals under the theme “Smart Proteins,” highlighting government-backed initiatives to accelerate innovation in this field.

The protein expression industry is characterized by a high degree of innovation, driven by rapid technological advancements and continuous methodological improvements. Key innovations include the use of recombinant DNA technology, CRISPR-based gene editing, and cell-free protein synthesis systems, all of which have expanded the scope and efficiency of protein production. In June 2024, the Broad Institute announced the development of a novel epigenetic editing technique that enables permanent silencing of the gene responsible for producing prion proteins in the brain. This approach, delivered through a single intravenous injection of an engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV), demonstrated the ability to reduce prion protein levels by more than 80% in animal studies, indicating strong potential for the effective treatment of prion diseases.

The level of merger and acquisition activity in the protein expression market remains moderate, reflecting a strategic approach by companies seeking growth through capability expansion and portfolio diversification. Market participants are increasingly engaging in M&A activities to acquire specialized technologies, enhance product offerings, and expand their geographic footprint. For instance, in August 2022, BioIVT announced the acquisition of Cypex, a move that strengthened BioIVT’s solutions for drug research and development. Cypex’s product portfolio complements BioIVT’s offerings and is based on patented technology that enables the expression of human drug-metabolizing enzymes in bacterial systems without requiring significant modifications to the proteins, thereby improving efficiency and functionality.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• North America dominated the global protein expression market in 2024, accounting for a market share of 40.88%. This leadership position is largely attributed to the strong presence of major industry players in the region, substantial investments in research and development, and robust pipelines of biosimilar products. Well-established biotechnology infrastructure and favorable funding environments further support regional market growth.
• The Asia Pacific protein expression market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2030. This rapid expansion is driven by significant advancements in protein expression technologies across countries such as India and China, along with increasing adoption of these systems in pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and industrial applications.
• Based on expression systems, the mammalian cell segment held the largest market share of 37.57% in 2024, reflecting its widespread use in producing complex proteins that require post-translational modifications. Meanwhile, the prokaryotic expression system segment is expected to register a significant growth rate during the forecast period, owing to its advantages such as rapid protein production, scalability, and lower production costs.
• Based on product, the reagents segment dominated the market with a leading share of 44.20% in 2024. The high demand for reagents is driven by their recurring use in research and production processes. In contrast, the services segment is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast period, supported by increasing outsourcing of protein expression and purification activities.
• Based on application, the therapeutic segment accounted for the highest market share of 43.47% in 2024, reflecting the strong demand for protein-based drugs and biologics. The industrial segment is expected to witness a lucrative growth rate during the forecast period, driven by expanding applications in enzymes, biofuels, and industrial biotechnology.
• Based on end use, pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies held the maximum market share of 43.46% in 2024, due to their extensive involvement in drug discovery, development, and commercialization. Meanwhile, the contract research organizations (CROs) segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, supported by the growing trend of outsourcing research and development activities.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 3,749.3 million
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 5,619.8 million
• CAGR (2025-2030): 7.2%
• North America: Largest market in 2024

Key Players

• Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories
• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• Merck Millipore
• New England BioLabs, Inc.
• Promega Corporation
• QIAGEN
• Takara Bio, Inc.
• Oxford Expression Technologies
• Lucigen Corporation

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Conclusion:

The protein expression market is experiencing steady growth driven by rising demand for recombinant proteins in therapeutic and industrial applications, along with rapid expansion of personalized medicine. Continuous advancements in protein engineering, gene editing, and expression technologies are significantly improving production efficiency and enabling the development of innovative protein-based therapies. Strong research and development activity, supported by collaborations between industry and academic institutions, is further accelerating market expansion. While North America currently leads the market, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth due to increasing investments and technological adoption. Ongoing innovation and strategic acquisitions are strengthening market capabilities and expanding application areas. Overall, the increasing reliance on biologics and precision medicine is expected to sustain long-term growth of the global protein expression market.