Biopharma evolution - Innovation in biomanufacturing

In 2022, out of the ten most sold drugs, six were biologics. In the US in 2022, new drug approvals (NDAs) were on the decline in terms of numbers, but innovation has certainly not slowed down. Antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific proteins, and cell and gene therapies accounted for about a third of 2022 approvals, helping push biologic approvals ahead of small molecules for the first time. The COVID pandemic vaccine opened the door to new technologies, allowing for a breakthrough of mRNA- and adenovirus-based products that were until then stuck in clinical phases. Driven mostly by oncology and vaccines, these drugs offer many advantages such as targeted therapy, gene cell therapy and more personalised medicine. (1,2)

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a spotlight on vaccines. This could never be described as a trend but, more as an important innovation area: developing more bespoke methods of vaccine treatment is central to how the world of biopharma operates today. Solutions cover not only vaccines but also diagnostic approaches and treatment methods, for example when treating people outside of hospital. There is also significant interest in the potential of cell and gene therapy, which involves working with genetic material to understand how to support a patient’s cells in defence against pathogens. This can result in a highly personalised therapeutic approach against some of the greatest human health challenges such as cancer and non-treatable hereditary diseases. Biotechnology products are forecast to take majority share in the top 100 drug sales by 2026, accounting for 55%. This represents a 16% increase compared to 2012. Global prescription sales of biotechnology products continue to grow rapidly with a CAGR of 9.6% between 2019 and 2026, compared to conventional product growth of 5.5% in the same timeframe. (1,2,3).