The global downstream processing market was valued at approximately USD 30.96 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.84% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is largely driven by the increased use of downstream processing techniques, particularly in the context of biopharmaceuticals and vaccine development. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the application of these techniques, particularly for the development of vaccines and therapeutics, as companies and organizations sought efficient, scalable, and safe methods to produce biologic products on a global scale.

One major contributing factor to the market's growth is the continued advancement of vaccine development technologies. For instance, in March 2022, Rentschler Biopharma and Vetter announced the launch of the Xpert Alliance, a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing their capabilities in downstream processing for the biopharmaceutical industry. This alliance was designed to offer innovative solutions that address the growing demands for the production of complex biologics, particularly in response to the pandemic. The initiative emphasized their commitment to providing effective downstream processing solutions for biologics, ensuring that production can keep up with the high global demand for COVID-19 vaccines and other biologic therapies. By pooling their expertise in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, both companies aim to meet the evolving needs of the market and enhance the efficiency of the downstream processing operations required for challenging biopharmaceutical products.

Additionally, in April 2022, Bayer made an announcement regarding a potential collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks, a leader in synthetic biology. Bayer revealed that it was considering a deal where Ginkgo Bioworks would acquire Bayer's West Sacramento Biologics R&D site, along with its internal discovery and lead optimization platforms. This collaboration highlights Bayer's strategic initiative to strengthen its leadership in biologics research and development (R&D) and expand its capabilities in synthetic biology—a rapidly advancing field within the broader biopharmaceutical sector. The deal would provide Bayer with enhanced access to critical supporting technologies in synthetic biology while allowing Ginkgo Bioworks to leverage Bayer's established biologics infrastructure. This strategic move is expected to solidify Bayer’s position as a key player in the biologics sector while expanding its reach into cutting-edge areas of synthetic biology. The move also reflects the broader trend within the biopharmaceutical industry to innovate and collaborate to accelerate the development of biologic drugs, vaccines, and therapies.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Downstream Processing Market

Regional Insights

North America

North America held the dominant position in the global downstream processing market, accounting for the largest revenue share of 34.57% in 2022. Several factors contributed to North America's market leadership, including government support for the promotion of bioprocess technologies, high medical expenditure, and the presence of well-developed healthcare infrastructure. These factors have created a conducive environment for the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry in the region. Additionally, North America has witnessed a surge in collaborative activities between leading healthcare giants and biotech companies, with many organizations investing heavily in the research and development (R&D) of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. This trend has resulted in increased demand for downstream processing solutions that are essential for manufacturing biologic drugs and vaccines at scale.

Furthermore, key players operating in the downstream processing market are expanding their presence in North America. For instance, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. made a significant move to strengthen its capabilities in the region by announcing a USD 97 million investment to expand its clinical research facilities in Richmond, Virginia. This expansion is part of the company’s effort to meet the growing demand for high-quality laboratory services in the biopharma sector, which is crucial for advancing drug development. These expanded facilities, which include operations acquired through the purchase of PPD, Inc. in December 2021, will support biopharmaceutical development and offer a variety of laboratory services tailored to meet the needs of the growing market for biopharmaceutical products.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to register the highest growth rate of 15.67% in the downstream processing market during the period from 2023 to 2030. The region's rapid growth can be attributed to significant investments from both developers and consumers in the biotechnology sector. Asia Pacific's large population base has spurred an increasing demand for advanced medical facilities, leading to greater implementation of rapid analytical methods to support bioprocessing and in-process designing. This trend is expected to continue as the demand for biologic therapies and vaccines rises, particularly in emerging economies.

Among the key countries in the Asia Pacific region, China is the dominant player, leading the market share due to its growing biopharmaceutical industry and rising demand for medicines and vaccines. The biopharmaceutical sector in China is one of the most active and rapidly evolving industries, supported by continuous advancements in biopharmaceutical equipment and bioprocess technologies. For example, in April 2021, Asahi Kasei Corporation, a prominent solution provider in the biologics manufacturing sector, expanded its operations in China by establishing Asahi Kasei Bioprocess Co., Ltd.. This move was aimed at enhancing inventory management and order processing, which would enable faster delivery periods and improve the efficiency of biopharmaceutical production. By localizing these functions, Asahi Kasei is better positioned to meet the growing demand for biologics in the Chinese market and to contribute to the country's ongoing biopharmaceutical revolution.

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Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Several key companies are at the forefront of innovation and market growth in the downstream processing industry. These companies are continuously focusing on the development of new products and technologies to meet the evolving needs of the market.

For instance, Sartorius, a leading player in the biopharmaceutical equipment sector, expanded its product offerings in February 2022 by acquiring Novasep's chromatography division. This acquisition brought with it a specialized portfolio of chromatography systems designed for smaller biomolecules such as peptides, oligonucleotides, and insulin. The acquisition also included new technologies aimed at supporting the continuous production of biologics, which is increasingly becoming a critical aspect of biomanufacturing. Sartorius’s move aligns with the industry's shift toward more efficient, scalable, and flexible manufacturing processes for biologic drugs.

Moreover, Sartorius also made strides in January 2023, collaborating with RoosterBio Inc. to enhance its downstream purification processes for exosome-based therapies. This collaboration highlights the company's commitment to supporting emerging areas of biopharmaceutical research, particularly in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies, which often require advanced purification technologies. Through these strategic initiatives, Sartorius is strengthening its market position and meeting the growing demand for specialized downstream processing solutions.

Some of the prominent players in the downstream processing market include:

• Merck KGaA

• Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A

• GE Healthcare

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• Danaher Corporation

• Repligen

• 3M Company

• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

• Corning Corporation

• Lonza Group Ltd

• Dover Corporation

• Ashai Kasei

• Ferner PLC

• Eppendorf AG

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