2024 mRNA Therapeutics CDMO Market: Partnerships, Flexible Manufacturing & Biologics Demand
The mRNA therapeutics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) market is set to experience significant growth, with an anticipated increase from USD 4.16 billion in 2023 to USD 13.52 billion by 2034. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.31% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2034. This promising outlook is driven by various factors, including advances in mRNA therapeutic technology, growing investments in the sector, and rising demand for biologics and personalized medicines. In addition, the flexibility and customization of manufacturing solutions, along with strategic collaborations and partnerships, are contributing to the expansion of the market.
Key Drivers of Market Growth
The mRNA therapeutics market is witnessing a surge in activity as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, and CDMOs (Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations) forge strategic partnerships and alliances to enhance their capabilities in the research and production of mRNA therapies. These collaborations enable CDMOs to meet the evolving needs of the market by offering enhanced services and adapting to technological advancements. Common features of these partnerships include technology transfer, process improvements, and capacity expansion, which allow CDMOs to cater to the increasing demand for mRNA-based treatments.
A prominent factor fueling the expansion of mRNA therapeutics is the rising demand for biologics and personalized medicine. As the healthcare sector increasingly focuses on tailored therapies, mRNA technologies are emerging as a viable and innovative solution for treating a range of diseases. Moreover, the development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapies has gained significant attention, especially in response to global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North American region is expected to hold the largest revenue share during the forecast period, thanks to the strong presence of leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies and substantial investments in mRNA therapeutics research and development. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR, driven by the rapidly expanding pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, increased healthcare infrastructure investments, and greater adoption of mRNA therapeutics.
Regional Insights
North America’s dominance in the mRNA therapeutics CDMO market can be attributed to the high concentration of key pharmaceutical and biotech firms in the region, such as Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech, as well as continuous advancements in mRNA vaccine technologies. The region also benefits from extensive government funding for biotechnology research and healthcare innovation, further boosting mRNA therapeutics development.
Meanwhile, the APAC region is emerging as a key growth area due to factors such as an expanding pharmaceutical industry, growing investments in healthcare infrastructure, and rising demand for mRNA-based therapeutics. In particular, countries like China, India, and Japan are making strides in adopting mRNA technologies, leading to increased market activity. Furthermore, major companies in the region, including Catalent, are expanding their mRNA manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand. For example, Catalent announced in June 2023 that it was expanding its OneBio Suite to include a broader range of biologic modalities, including mRNA, cell and gene therapies, as well as antibody and recombinant proteins.
Application-wise Market Analysis
By application, the viral vaccines segment led the market in 2023 and is expected to continue its dominance, growing at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The success of COVID-19 vaccines, developed using mRNA technology, has sparked a renewed interest in mRNA-based vaccine development, not only for pandemics but also for preparing for potential future global health threats. This segment benefits from increased global focus on pandemic preparedness and the speed at which mRNA vaccines can be developed. Notably, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Lonza formed a partnership in January 2024 to validate a unique test that utilizes both DNA template and mRNA sequencing to assess the quality of mRNA products, demonstrating continued innovation in the field.
Another key area is protein replacement therapies, where mRNA technologies are being explored for the development of treatments for rare genetic disorders that result in a lack of specific proteins. mRNA therapies offer a potential solution by enabling the production of the missing proteins within the patient’s body.
Cancer immunotherapies are also gaining traction as researchers are looking to harness the power of mRNA to enhance immune responses against cancer cells. Several companies are already exploring mRNA-based cancer vaccines and treatments, a trend expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Indication-wise Market Analysis
The infectious diseases segment was the largest revenue-generating category in 2023, largely due to the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and the development of mRNA-based therapies targeting pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for mRNA therapeutics, but efforts to develop mRNA vaccines and treatments for other infectious diseases such as flu, HIV, and Zika are also underway. The adaptability and speed at which mRNA vaccines can be produced make them a promising tool for combating infectious diseases.
The metabolic and genetic diseases segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. As medical research deepens its understanding of metabolic and genetic disorders, more targeted mRNA therapies are being developed for conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and various rare genetic disorders. Advances in genetic medicine are driving demand for these treatments, which leverage mRNA’s ability to instruct cells to produce the necessary proteins.
Additionally, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are emerging as new areas for mRNA-based therapeutic interventions. Research is ongoing to explore how mRNA can be utilized to target heart disease, strokes, and other related conditions.
End-User Market Analysis
By end-user, biotech companies were the highest revenue-generating segment in 2023. This is largely due to the growing pipeline of mRNA-based therapeutics being developed by biotech firms, which often outsource the manufacturing process to specialized CDMOs to scale production. Biotech companies frequently partner with CDMOs for their expertise in the cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) production of mRNA therapeutics.
The pharmaceutical companies segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, as major pharmaceutical firms increasingly turn to CDMOs for the production of mRNA-based drugs. The rapid development of mRNA vaccines and therapies, coupled with the growing trend of outsourcing manufacturing to specialized organizations, is driving this growth.
Government and academic research institutes are also significant end-users, as they conduct vital research and development activities in the field of mRNA therapeutics. Many of these institutions collaborate with CDMOs to accelerate the translation of their research into viable treatments.
Market Forecast by Region
The global mRNA therapeutics CDMO market is forecasted to grow across various regions, with North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region leading the way. North America is expected to maintain its dominance due to the presence of established pharmaceutical companies, ample research funding, and robust manufacturing capabilities. Europe and the APAC region are also poised for strong growth, driven by the expansion of biotechnology firms, healthcare infrastructure, and the increasing adoption of mRNA technologies.
The Latin America and Middle East & Africa regions are expected to show steady growth, although they are currently at earlier stages in the adoption of mRNA therapeutics. However, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and biopharmaceutical industries could boost the demand for mRNA-based therapies in these regions.
The mRNA therapeutics CDMO market is witnessing rapid growth, fueled by advances in mRNA technology, strategic partnerships, and rising demand for biologics and personalized medicine. With strong investments in research and development, especially in regions like North America and Asia-Pacific, the market is poised to expand significantly in the coming years.
Companies operating in this space, such as Catalent, Lonza, and BioNTech, are increasingly focusing on expanding their capabilities to meet the growing demand for mRNA-based vaccines, therapies, and other treatments. The increasing recognition of the potential of mRNA therapeutics to address both infectious and non-infectious diseases positions this market for continued expansion through 2034 and beyond.
