Increasing Demand for Sustainable and Ethical Alternatives to Traditional Animal-based Biologics to Propel the Growth of the Plant-based Biologics Market by 2031

Plant-based biologics are made by genetically engineering plants to produce proteins that are identical to those produced by the human body. Plant-based biologics have gained increasing interest in recent years due to their potential advantages over traditional animal-based systems, including lower production costs, increased scalability, and improved safety profiles. One of the key benefits of plant-based biologics is their potential to reduce production costs. Animal-based systems require extensive resources and infrastructure to produce biopharmaceutical drugs, including dedicated facilities for housing and caring for animals. In contrast, plant-based systems can be grown in a wide range of environments, including greenhouses and indoor facilities, making them more cost-effective and easier to scale up. Additionally, plant-based systems can produce large quantities of biological proteins, reducing the need for costly downstream processing steps. One example of a plant-based biologic currently in development is a Covid-19 vaccine produced by Medicago. 

Forecast Analysis of the Global Plant-based Biologics Market

According to the report published by Research Dive, the global plant-based biologics market is anticipated to generate a revenue of $182.9 million and rise at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period from 2022 to 2031.

The rising demand for more ethical and ecological solutions to produce medical products with the use of bioengineered plants and offer a better alternative to conventional animal cell-based biologics is expected to foster the growth of the plant-based biologics market over the forecast period. Besides, the growing improvements in plant molecular biology enable the production of plant-based biologics with better efficacy and safety which is further expected to amplify the growth of the market throughout the estimated period. Moreover, the rapid growth in the biopharmaceutical sector is expected to create immense growth opportunities for the plant-based biologics market during the analysis period. However, the complexity of protein expression and the struggle to achieve consistent yields and quality may impede the growth of the market in the coming period. 

The major players of the plant-based biologics market include Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc., IBIO, Inc., Pfizer Inc., InVitria, PlantForm Corporation, Ventria Bioscience Inc., Planet Biotechnology Inc., Medicago Inc., Zea Biosciences, Eleva GmbH, Leaf Epression Systems, and many more. 

Key Developments of the Plant-based Biologics Market

The key companies operating in the industry are adopting various growth strategies & business tactics such as partnerships, collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and launches to maintain a robust position in the overall market, which is subsequently helping the global plant-based biologics market to grow exponentially. For instance:

• In September 2021, Leaf Expression Systems Ltd., the leading UK-based pharmaceutical company mainly focuses on plant-based drugs announced the launch of its new product, namely, SupraVec®, a new plant transient expression system designed for the rapid development and manufacturing of proteins, complex biomolecules, and vaccines with the help of plant-based tissues.
   
• In September 2022, KBio, a leading biotech company leveraging a plant-based platform to enhance R&D productivity announced its collaboration with Leaf Expression Systems Ltd. (LES), the renowned UK-based pharmaceuticals R&D company, specializing in plant-based drugs. With this collaboration, KBio aimed to apply LES’s cutting-edge technology to boost the future development and production of novel protein-based therapeutics for rare and infectious diseases.
   
• In November 2022, Biocon Biologics Ltd., a global biopharmaceutical company announced its acquisition of Viatris Inc., a leading American-based global pharmaceutical and healthcare corporation. With this acquisition, Biocon Biologics aimed to provide commercial capabilities and supporting infrastructure in several emerging economies and deliver high-quality and life-saving biosimilar medicines to patients across the globe.

Most Profitable Region

The North America region of the plant-based biologics market held the highest market share in 2021. The high demand for biopharmaceuticals and the growing consumer interest in eco-friendly and plant-based products across the region is expected to boost the regional growth of the market over the estimated period. Moreover, the supportive regulatory environment and robust research infrastructure in the region are expected to enhance the development of plant-based drugs over the forecast period. 

Covid-19 Impact on the Plant-based Biologics Market

Though the rise of the novel coronavirus has devastated several other industries, it has had a moderate impact on the plant-based biologics market. This is mainly because of the increasing demand for plant-based medicines during the pandemic owing to the growing need for ethical and sustainable alternatives to conventional animal-based biologics. However, the disruptions in supply chains along with transportation restrictions and difficulty in the purchase of raw materials have affected the growth of the market over that period. Additionally, many pharmaceutical firms have redirected their attention and resources toward Covid-19 research and development which has further hampered the market growth throughout the crisis.