Sector of Focus One: Biotechnologies

Biotechnology involves applying biological entities such as organisms, systems, and processes to develop or modify products, including foods, pharmaceuticals, waste management, and hydroponics. While definitions vary across sectors and countries, biotech is distinct from traditional small-molecule drug production. It is expected to drive significant advancements, potentially alleviating 45% of the global disease burden, replacing 60% of physical inputs in industries, and contributing up to $4T in economic impact over the next two decades. Key innovations include cell therapies, such as Seraxis’s lab-grown pancreatic cells for diabetes, with the cell therapy market projected to grow from $7.8Bn in 2020 at a 14.5% CAGR. DNA origami nanobots, developed by Nanovery, use AI to detect circulating tumor DNA, contributing to the companion diagnostics market, which is expected to grow from $4.66Bn in 2021 to $12.88Bn by 2026 at a 22.5% CAGR. CRISPR-edited microalgae, developed by Synthetic Genomics and ExxonMobil, aim to reduce fossil fuel dependence, with the biofuels market projected to grow at a 6.9% CAGR from $135.7Bn in 2019. Cultured meat, developed using cellular agriculture by companies like Future Fields, is set to transform food sustainability, with the market expected to grow from $103Mn in 2020 to $248Mn by 2026 at a 15.7% CAGR. These advancements highlight biotechnology’s role in reshaping healthcare, sustainability, and global industries.