In the realm of biopharmaceuticals and advanced medical processes, the global single-use bioprocessing market is positioned for significant expansion. Commencing from its 2022 revenue of USD 20.96 billion, the market is anticipated to experience a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.46% during the period 2023-2032. By 2032, industry estimates project the market revenue to surge to an impressive USD 84.14 billion, driven by the escalating demand for personalized medicines, increased investments in Research and Development (R&D), and the widespread adoption of decentralized clinical trials.

Single-Use Bioprocessing Market Size 2023 - 2032

Catalysts of Bioprocessing Evolution: Dynamics Shaping the Single-Use Bioprocessing Market

1. Growing Demand for Personalized Medicines:

At the core of the anticipated market surge is the burgeoning demand for personalized medicines. Single-use bioprocessing market solutions play a pivotal role in meeting the unique requirements of personalized medicine manufacturing, contributing to the overall growth of the market.

2. Rising Investment in Research and Development (R&D):

The increased focus on Research and Development is a driving force behind the market’s expansion. As pharmaceutical and biotech companies intensify their R&D efforts, the adoption of single-use bioprocessing market technologies becomes integral to streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.

3. Adoption of Decentralized Clinical Trials:

The paradigm shift towards decentralized clinical trials is reshaping the landscape of clinical research. Single-use bioprocessing market offers flexibility and efficiency in decentralized trials, addressing logistical challenges and contributing to the market’s upward trajectory.

Envisioning the Bioprocessing Future: Projections and Market Dynamics

1. Technological Advancements Enhancing Efficiency:

The integration of advanced technologies is revolutionizing single-use bioprocessing market , particularly in enhancing operational efficiency. From automation to real-time monitoring, technological innovations are propelling the market toward sustained growth.

2. Global Collaboration for Research Excellence:

Collaborations and partnerships among global stakeholders are fostering an environment of research excellence. Shared knowledge and collaborative initiatives are driving innovation, contributing significantly to the market’s positive outlook.

The single-use bioprocessing market is a rapidly growing industry of biopharmaceutical industry. Single-use bioprocessing is a method of manufacturing biopharmaceuticals that uses disposable, single-use equipment instead of traditional stainless-steel equipment. This method has several advantages, including reduced contamination risk, decreased setup time, and improved flexibility. The market growth is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for biologics, the growing biopharmaceutical industry, and the advantages of single-use bioprocessing market over traditional manufacturing methods. The market is highly competitive, with several key players investing heavily in research and development activities to stay ahead of the competition.

Biologics are complex molecules that are manufactured using living cells and are used to treat a varied range of diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. The increasing demand for biologics is driving the growth of the single-use bioprocessing market , as single-use bioprocessing is particularly well-suited for the production of these complex molecules. Geographically, North America is expected to dominate the single-use bioprocessing sector during the forecast period, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. This can be attributed to the presence of a large number of biopharmaceutical companies in these regions, as well as favorable government regulations and initiatives.

However, the market of single-use bioprocessing market also faces some challenges, such as concerns about the quality and consistency of single-use products, the lack of standardization in the industry, and the high cost of single-use equipment. These challenges are expected to be addressed through technological advancements, standardization efforts, and increased competition in the market.

The Power of Automation: Unlocking the Potential of Single-Use Bioprocessing Market 

The single-use bioprocessing market is rapidly evolving, and automation is expected to play a significant role in its future development. Automation offers numerous benefits to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process, including increased efficiency, improved product quality, and reduced labor costs.

One of the significant rewards of automation in single-use bioprocessing market is its ability to improve process control. Automation can provide real-time monitoring of critical process parameters, enabling manufacturers to detect deviations and make adjustments in real-time. This results in better product quality and consistency, as well as reduced process variability. Another advantage of automation in single-use bioprocessing is its ability to increase efficiency. Automation can reduce the need for manual intervention, leading to faster and more consistent processes. This can result in increased throughput and reduced production time, enabling manufacturers to bring products to market more quickly.

In addition, automation can also reduce labor costs, as it eliminates the need for manual labor in many areas of the manufacturing process. This can result in significant cost savings, particularly in high-labor areas such as cell culture and downstream processing. Furthermore, automation in single-use bioprocessing market can also improve worker safety. Many tasks in biopharmaceutical manufacturing involve working with hazardous materials, and automation can reduce the risk of exposure to these materials. This can improve worker safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. The benefits of automation in single-use bioprocessing are significant, and many manufacturers are already implementing automated systems in their facilities.

Thus, automation is expected to dominate the single-use bioprocessing market within the next five years. Automation offers numerous benefits, including improved process control, increased efficiency, reduced labor costs, and improved worker safety. As manufacturers continue to seek ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs, automation is likely to become an increasingly important part of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process.

Energy Consumption: Multiuse Stainless-Steel Systems vs. Single-Use Systems

The energy consumption of stainless-steel systems and single-use systems can vary significantly. Stainless steel systems require more energy to clean and sterilize between batches, as well as to maintain temperature control throughout the production process. The high energy demand associated with stainless steel systems is due to the need for steam and hot water, which are required for cleaning and sterilization.
Single-Use Bioprocessing Market Energy Consumption

Single-use systems, on the other hand, require less energy than stainless steel systems because they do not require cleaning and sterilization between batches. Single-use systems are designed for single-use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Furthermore, the materials used in single-use systems are lightweight, which can also reduce energy consumption during transportation and handling.

Another factor that contributes to the energy consumption of bioprocessing systems is the cooling and heating of media. Single-use systems can also have advantages in this aspect, as they are designed to have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which can improve heat transfer rates and reduce energy consumption.

Lessons from the Bioprocessing Industry for Single-Use Technology in Cell and Gene Therapies

The US FDA has approved more than 20 gene therapies and around 1000 gene therapy molecules are in the stages of clinical trials, reported as of February 2023.

Cell and gene therapies are emerging as promising treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. These therapies involve the use of living cells or genetic material to treat or cure diseases, and they require complex manufacturing processes. Single-use technology has emerged as a game-changing solution for the manufacture of cell and gene therapies, offering a range of benefits over traditional stainless-steel equipment.

The bioprocessing industry has been using single-use technology for several years, and the lessons learned from this industry can be applied to the manufacture of cell and gene therapies. The key benefits of single-use technology in the bioprocessing industry include reduced contamination risk, increased flexibility, and reduced turnaround time. These benefits also apply to the manufacture of cell and gene therapies.

One of the key advantages of single-use technology in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies is the ability to eliminate the need for cleaning and sterilization between batches. This reduces the risk of contamination and cross-contamination, which is particularly important in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies, where the cells or genetic material being used are extremely sensitive to contamination.

Cell and gene therapies are often developed for small patient populations, which means that manufacturing processes must be adaptable to changing needs. Single-use technology allows for quick and easy changes to manufacturing processes, allowing manufacturers to produce small batches of products without the need for significant reconfiguration of equipment.

In addition, single-use technology can significantly reduce the turnaround time for manufacturing processes. This is because single-use systems can be pre-sterilized and pre-assembled, reducing the time required for cleaning and preparation between batches. This results in faster production times, which is critical for the timely delivery of cell and gene therapies to patients.

Furthermore, single-use technology can also help reduce the capital costs associated with the manufacturing of cell and gene therapies. Traditional stainless-steel equipment can be expensive to install and maintain, whereas single-use systems can be more cost-effective and require less physical space. This can be particularly beneficial for small and mid-sized manufacturers who may have limited resources.

Biologics and Beyond

Biologics are complex molecules that are manufactured using living cells and are used to treat an extensive range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. The demand for biologics is increasing rapidly, driven by several factors such as the aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and technological advancements in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. To meet the growing demand for biologics, the biopharmaceutical industry is increasingly turning to single-use bioprocessing market technology. Single-use bioprocessing technology offers several advantages over traditional stainless-steel equipment, including increased flexibility, reduced contamination risk, and shorter turnaround times.

Single-use bioprocessing market technology is particularly well-suited for the production of biologics because it allows manufacturers to quickly and easily switch between different products or production processes. This flexibility is crucial in the biologics industry, where production runs can be short and manufacturers need to be able to quickly adapt to changing market demands. Single-use bioprocessing technology also reduces the risk of contamination and cross-contamination, which is particularly important in the manufacture of biologics. Biologics are complex molecules that are sensitive to even minor changes in the manufacturing process, and any contamination can have a significant impact on the safety and efficacy of the final product.

In addition, single-use bioprocessing market technology offers shorter turnaround times than traditional manufacturing methods. Biologics are often used to treat life-threatening conditions, and any delays in manufacturing can have serious consequences for patients. Single-use bioprocessing technology allows manufacturers to quickly set up and tear down production runs, reducing the time required to manufacture the therapies. Beyond biologics, single-use bioprocessing technology is also being used in the manufacture of other types of products, including vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and biosimilars. The advantages of single-use bioprocessing technology, including increased flexibility and reduced contamination risk, make it an attractive option for the manufacture of these complex products.

The single-use bioprocessing market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by several prominent growth drivers. One of the key growth drivers for the single-use bioprocessing market is the increasing demand for biologics. Single-use bioprocessing is particularly well-suited for the production of biologics because it offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing methods.

For example, single-use technology eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization between batches, reducing the risk of contamination and cross-contamination. It also offers increased flexibility, allowing manufacturers to quickly and easily switch between different products or production processes. Single-use bioprocessing market technology offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing methods, including increased flexibility, reduced contamination risk, and shorter turnaround times. As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to grow, single-use bioprocessing technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in the manufacture of biologics and other complex products.

The Biopharmaceutical Drug Market is Experiencing a Surge in Demand for Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

The surge in demand for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in the biopharmaceutical drug market has highlighted the need for specialized manufacturing processes and facilities. ADCs merge the potency of small molecules and the targeting capability of monoclonal antibodies, which requires extreme control measures during manufacturing. This has led to the recommendation of single-use containment systems for ADC handling.

Single-use technology can offer the required controls while minimizing manufacturing costs and enabling the operation of multi-use facilities. Flexible single-use isolators have been proven to meet the high-containment performance required for handling ADCs by risk assessment studies. Isolators can be used to manage solids in the chemical synthesis of harmful materials and downstream processing when managing liquids to protect from aerosolization and spills.

In addition to the cost benefits, single-use technology can also improve the efficiency and speed of ADC manufacturing. The elimination of cleaning and sterilization steps between batches reduces downtime and turnaround time, enabling faster production and greater capacity for meeting the demand for ADCs.

There are over 50 biopharma enterprises developing ADCs to treat cancer as well as a range of tumors, including lung, bladder, and gynecological tumors. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are growing in popularity, with a healthy pipeline that could lead to a market worth billions of dollars over the next few years. These novel treatments merge the high potency of small molecules and the targeting capability of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs).

However, the question of such treatments is whether they merge a toxic, highly potent material with a large protein that will aim for a treatment area. As a result, small molecule manufacturing requires extreme controls which is specific to facility design, personal protective equipment (PPE), high-containment isolators, and operator training.

Single-use containment systems are recommended for ADC handling. Such systems can offer the required controls while minimizing the manufacturing cost to enable the operation of multi-use facilities. Further, single-use flexible isolators have been proven to meet the high-containment performance required for handling ADCs (<30.0 ng/m3) by risk assessment studies. Isolators can be used both for managing solids in the chemical synthesis of harmful materials and in downstream processing when managing liquids to protect from aerosolization and spills.

COVID-19 Reshaping Bioprocessing with Single-Use Solutions

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the biopharmaceutical industry, with many manufacturers ramping up production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to combat the virus. Single-use bioprocessing market technology has played a critical role in enabling manufacturers to quickly respond to the pandemic and produce these life-saving products.

One of the crucial benefits of single-use technology is its flexibility, which has allowed manufacturers to rapidly scale up or down production as needed. This has been particularly important during the pandemic, as the demand for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics has fluctuated rapidly. Single-use bioprocessing market technology has allowed manufacturers to quickly adjust their production capacity to meet changing demand, without the need for significant reconfiguration of equipment.

COVID-19 has evolved from a localized emergency to a global pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on the global healthcare industry. However, the pandemic’s overall effects were noted to be favorable for market participants in single-use bioprocessing market . Single-use systems (SUS) reached their peak during the pandemic, as demand for reusable and adaptable technology for industrial-scale manufacturing rose sharply. Numerous renowned pharmaceutical firms and start-ups have offered their services to advance therapies and vaccines that treat the infection brought on by COVID-19. The market for single-use bioprocessing market has grown significantly as a result of the biopharmaceutical industry’s exponential growth in vaccine production.

In upstream R&D operations, the majority of pharmaceutical companies used single-use systems, and biopharmaceutical companies used single-use systems in commercial manufacturing. Many pharmaceutical companies worked hard to create vaccines quickly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Some of these vaccines were successful in the trial stages. Single-use products and systems have greatly aided commercial and manufacturing platforms as a result.

Since the majority of the top COVID-19 vaccine programs use cutting-edge techniques involving mRNA, DNA vaccines, and vectors, these platforms are designed for single use. Comparing single-use systems to traditional stainless-steel equipment, which requires significant upfront investments and has no assurance of long-term durability, single-use systems are more adaptable and can be quickly implemented at a lower cost.

Quality Value and Material Expertise

Quality and material expertise is highly valued in the single-use bioprocessing market due to the critical importance of maintaining product quality and ensuring the safety of patients. Single-use bioprocessing market products are made from a variety of materials such as plastics, resins, and films, which can vary in quality and performance. To ensure the integrity and consistency of these products, it is important to have expertise in materials selection, testing, and qualification.

Quality expertise is also essential in ensuring that the manufacturing processes and products meet the required regulatory standards, such as those set by the FDA and EMA. Quality assurance processes, including risk assessments and quality control measures, are critical to ensuring that single-use bioprocessing market products are safe and effective.

In addition, material and quality expertise is important for optimizing the performance and functionality of single-use bioprocessing market products. Through the development of specialized materials and coatings, as well as the use of advanced manufacturing techniques, companies can improve the performance and reliability of their single-use bioprocessing market products.

Facilities Using 100% Fully Disposable Technology

The use of fully disposable technology in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including single-use bioprocessing market , has been steadily increasing over the past several years. However, the adoption of fully disposable technology on a widespread basis is still in the early stages. There are several factors that are driving the shift towards fully disposable technology in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. One of the key drivers is the increasing demand for flexible manufacturing solutions.

Fully disposable technology allows manufacturers to quickly and easily switch between different products or production processes, which is crucial in the biopharmaceutical industry, where production runs can be short and manufacturers need to be able to quickly adapt to changing market demands. Another driver is the increasing emphasis on contamination control. Fully disposable technology can reduce the risk of contamination and cross-contamination, which is particularly important in the manufacture of biologics and other complex products.

Biologics are sensitive to even minor changes in the manufacturing process, and any contamination can have a significant impact on the safety and efficacy of the final product.

In addition, fully disposable technology can also reduce the need for cleaning and validation, which can save time and reduce costs. Traditional stainless-steel equipment requires extensive cleaning and validation between production runs, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Fully disposable technology eliminates the need for cleaning and validation, allowing manufacturers to reduce downtime and increase throughput.

Despite the advantages of fully disposable technology, the transition to 100% fully disposable facilities is likely to be a gradual process. There are still some challenges to be overcome, such as the need for increased supply chain security and the development of standardized interfaces between equipment. In addition, fully disposable technology may not be suitable for all applications, particularly those that require large-scale production. However, many manufacturers are already using fully disposable technology for certain applications, and the trend toward increased adoption is expected to continue.

Navigating Challenges: Strategic Approaches for Sustained Growth

While the outlook for the global single-use bioprocessing market is optimistic, it’s essential to address potential challenges. Regulatory considerations, technology integration hurdles, and market competition are areas where industry stakeholders are actively strategizing for sustained growth and continued market leadership.

A Pioneering Bioprocessing Frontier

The global single-use bioprocessing market is on the cusp of pioneering advancements, fueled by the demand for personalized medicines, intensified R&D efforts, and the evolution of clinical trial methodologies. The projected CAGR of 15.46% underscores the market’s resilience and adaptability. As single-use bioprocessing market becomes integral to modern pharmaceutical practices, the market is poised to achieve an estimated revenue of USD 84.14 billion by 2032. The future of bioprocessing is not only promising but also emblematic of a dynamic and responsive biopharmaceutical landscape.

By Sanskruti

Sanskruti Sathe is a passionate healthcare professional author dedicated to improve advancing healthcare knowledge. With over a decade of experience in the field, Sanskruti has worked in various healthcare research institutions. She holds a Master's degree in Public Health and has authored several articles and books on topics ranging from chronic disease management to healthcare policy. As an advocate for evidence-based practice, Sanskruti continues to contribute to the healthcare community through her writing and consulting work.