Protein Chip Market

Market Overview

The global protein chip market size was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The market for protein chips is being driven by the development of advanced and efficient diagnosis methods and the increasing number of cancer patients worldwide.

The Protein Chip Market comprises miniaturized and parallel test systems that contain small amounts of pure proteins arranged in a high-density configuration. The Protein Chip Market is alternatively referred to as protein microarrays. It allows concurrently identifying a broad spectrum of substances using smaller samples in a single experiment. Furthermore, the Protein Chip Market includes a substrate such as a bead, glass slide, nitrocellulose membrane, or microtiter plate, with various capture proteins attached. In addition, the array contains probe molecules that are typically tagged with a fluorescent dye.

The increasing need for customized treatment and substantial investments in proteomics research and development are the primary factors propelling the growth of the protein chip market. Additional factors contributing to the increase include the escalating rates of cancer occurrence and the growing utilization of improved technology for diagnostic tests. The protein chip market faces numerous challenges in several crucial areas, particularly in the manufacturing of proteins on a large scale. It is a scientific method that uses automation to screen large compound libraries for their activity against biological targets. Furthermore, assessing protein chips is essential in determining the quality of protein microarrays, and evaluating protein quality is a critical factor to consider.
 

Highlights

• Analytical microarrays generate the highest revenue share based on type.
• Antibody characterization accounts for the largest market share by application.
• Academic and research institutes generate the highest revenue share based on end-use.

Market Dynamics

Global Protein Chip Market Drivers

Growing Incidence and Prevalence of Cancer 

The increasing utilization of protein chips in cancer research and diagnostics can be ascribed to the growing knowledge of the disease and a robust diagnostic infrastructure. Approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths occurred in 2022. The projected population of those who survived five years after being diagnosed with cancer was 53.5 million. Approximately 20% of individuals experience the development of cancer at some point in their lives. Specifically, around 11% of men and 8% of women succumb to the disease. 

According to the global WHO survey on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and cancer, a mere 39% of the nations that participated in the survey included fundamental cancer management services in their funded core health services for all residents, known as 'health benefit packages' (HBP). Merely 28% of the countries that participated in the study provided supplementary coverage for those needing palliative care, encompassing general pain management rather than solely focusing on cancer-related cases.

Moreover, identifying biomarkers in cancer cells is a highly effective and cost-efficient procedure facilitated by utilizing a protein chip. Identifying biomarkers or protein arrays allows the oncologist to develop an effective, personalized treatment plan. The increasing occurrence and prevalence of cancer will drive the growth of the global protein chip market.

Global Protein Chip Market Restraints

Difficulty Obtaining Substantive and Quality Protein Samples 

Proteins require extraction from living creatures as they are minuscule and do not maintain their form or structural order outside their natural environment. Due to their extreme instability, collecting the required samples for analysis takes time and effort. Insufficient sampling data and arduous analysis due to limited quantity are significant obstacles to the protein chip market. The minuscule characteristics of the subject make it highly probable that the study overlooks significant protein expression. 

Moreover, the protein chip is an innovative technology, but it needs standards in sample processing. This lack of standardization increases the danger of high false positivity due to the wide range of sample dynamics. Moreover, the intricate nature of protein assays presents a challenge in obtaining a comprehensive analysis due to the unavailability of the analytic tools. Hence, the inherent difficulty in protein chip technology will impede the market's growth. 

Global Protein Chip Market Opportunity

Rising Research and Development

The protein chip market is expected to experience expansion due to the rising spending in research and development endeavors. The focus of research and development is to improve the functionalities and uses of protein chips, which stimulates innovation in the sector. Investments are critical in developing modern protein chip technologies, enhancing their sensitivity, specificity, and throughput. Protein chip technology can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnosing, predicting the course of a disease, discovering new drugs, monitoring diseases, and conducting other crucial medical research. The significant contribution of protein chips in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, encompassing diagnosis, disease monitoring, vaccine, and therapeutic research, exemplifies the immense potential of this technology in the field of medicine for the future. 

Furthermore, the increasing utilization of protein chips has motivated private and public market participants to augment their investment in research and development, creating profitable prospects for the market's growth in the projected timeframe. In June 2022, Sengenics publicly announced the official release of the i-Ome® Protein Array Kit for commercial use. The i-Ome® Protein Array Kit includes slide-based protein microarrays with a high density. These microarrays comprise over 1600 immobilized, full-length, and adequately folded human proteins. The new product makes the KREX™ technology accessible, providing a top-notch tool for discovering autoantibodies. It also empowers researchers who are studying autoantibody biomarkers in the disciplines of autoimmune illness, immuno-oncology, and neuroinflammation.

The increased emphasis on research and development highlights the positive prospects for the protein chip industry as further investments stimulate innovation and market growth.

Regional Analysis

The global protein chip market analysis is conducted across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global protein chip market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period.  The CDC has recently published revised maps for 2022 that depict the areas in America with significant levels of inactivity, indicating that 25% of U.S. adults fail to engage in sufficient physical exercise to safeguard their well-being. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently produced state maps indicating that more than 20% of adults are physically inactive in all states except for four. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of processed sugary foods, and lack of physical activity are contributing to the expansion of the market. 

Moreover, the market is driven by the elevated cancer incidence in the region, which is attributed to excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Prominent industrial firms and leading academic and research institutions additionally facilitate the regional market's growth.

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period. Germany dominated the protein chip market in terms of market share, while the United Kingdom experienced the highest growth rate among European protein chip markets. The growth can be attributed to the advancement of top-notch healthcare and a rise in cancer cases resulting from population expansion. As an example, the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Europe increased by 2.3% in comparison to 2020, reaching a total of 2.74 million in 2022. 

Additionally, according to the European Commission's estimations provided in the European Cancer Information System (ECIS), there was a 2.4% increase in cancer fatalities compared to 2020. The latest projections for EU Member States in 2022 indicate that approximately 31% of males and 25% of females are anticipated to receive a cancer diagnosis before turning 75 years old. The expected mortality rate from cancer before the age of 75 is 14% for males and 9% for women. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of cancer is fueling the growth of the local market. 

The Asia-Pacific protein chip market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR because of the region's escalating demand for technological advancements and the rising prevalence of illnesses, ailments, and cancer. The protein chip market in China had the highest market share, while the Indian protein chip market experienced the most rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific region. 

In addition, India's population is projected to reach 1,425,775,850 individuals by the end of 2024, thereby equaling and exceeding mainland China's population. This forecast is derived from the most recent United Nations statistics and projections of the worldwide population. In 2022, China's population reached its maximum size of 1.426 billion and has since declined. Projections suggest that the Chinese population may decrease to less than 1 billion by the end of the century. 

In contrast, India's population is projected to continue to expand for several decades. Therefore, the population surge in nations like China and India is the primary catalyst for the rise. Moreover, the rising number of illness instances in the region necessitating medical diagnostics is another fueling the market's expansion.

Segmental Analysis

The global protein chip market is segmented based on type, application, and end user.

The protein chip market is segmented based on type, including Analytical Microarrays, Functional Protein Microarrays, and Reverse Phase Protein Microarrays. 

The analytical microarrays segment dominated the market in 2023. An intricate blend of proteins is examined using analytical protein microarrays to determine their binding affinities. Analytical microarrays assess both the specificity and quantities of protein expression. Analytical protein microarrays are utilized to research antibodies, aptamers, or affibodies. However, the primary and paramount utilization of it is to study antibodies, which play a crucial role in monitoring the evolution of diseases and creating novel drugs.

The functional protein microarrays segment is the fastest growing. Functional protein microarrays are beneficial instruments in drug discovery and development. They enable the efficient examination of collections of chemical compounds to identify new drug candidates, pinpoint protein targets for pharmacological intervention, and evaluate the specificity and effectiveness of drugs. Due to the ongoing requirement for new treatments and the increasing focus on tailored medicine, there is still a strong demand for functional protein microarrays in drug development.

The market is segmented based on applications into antibody characterization, clinical diagnostics, proteomics, and others. 

The antibody characterization segment dominated the market in 2023. Characterizing antibodies is essential for a wide range of scientific research and clinical applications. It significantly impacts the development of antibody-based treatments, the identification of biomarkers, the diagnosis of diseases, the study of protein interactions, and immunodiagnostics. The broad range of applications for characterizing antibodies in various fields establishes it as a fundamental component in the worldwide market. In April 2023, scientists from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, developed a microfluidic chip to streamline monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing monitoring. This protein cartridge allows the simultaneous analysis of up to four proteins in cell cultures within a bioreactor.

The clinical diagnostics segment is the fastest growing. Protein chips identify biomarkers for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. With the rising need for early disease detection, precise diagnosis, and accurate prognosis evaluation, there is a rising need for protein chip-based assays in clinical diagnostics. In November 2023, Octave Bioscience, Inc. received a USD 10 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to create and verify a multi-analyte protein biomarker test for evaluating Parkinson's disease.

The market is segmented based on end-users into hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, academic and research institutes, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and others.

The academic and research institutes segment dominated the market. Protein chips, a revolutionary technology, are gradually replacing DNA microarrays in various fields. Protein chips have been employed to overcome the constraints of DNA microarrays about protein expression and profiling. In the last decade, protein chips have shown great promise in various areas, such as cancer detection, drug monitoring, drug development, targeted therapy, and personalized medicine. 

The diagnostic laboratories segment is the fastest growing. Protein chips are crucial in transforming healthcare delivery and improving diagnostic capacities in diagnostic centers. They provide a high-capacity analytical method that enables the examination of several samples simultaneously, making it easier to manage patients promptly. In September 2023, CCM Biosciences introduced CCM Protein Upregulation, a cutting-edge technique to enhance essential protein function to address conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, infertility, and hereditary illnesses.

Recent Developments

• January 2024 – Illumina Inc., a prominent company specializing in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, entered into a partnership with Janssen Research & Development, LLC. This partnership will mark the initial endeavor focused on the advancement of Illumina's innovative molecular residual disease (MRD) assay. The MRD assay employs whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and is designed to study multiple types of cancer. It identifies circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to gain deeper insights into the continued presence or reappearance of the disease after medical treatment.
• January 2024 – Illumina Inc., a prominent company specializing in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, partnered with Nashville Biosciences, a leading clinical and genomic data company and subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Together, they have recently added three new members to the Alliance for Genomic Discovery (AGD).