Targeted Protein Degradation Market: Growth, Size, Share, and Trends

The global targeted protein degradation market, valued at US$XX billion in 2024, is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of XX%, reaching US$XX billion in 2025 and an impressive US$XX billion by 2030. Growth of the targeted protein degradation market can be attributed to advances in biotechnology and drug discovery. TPD provides a new way to target and break down disease-causing proteins, offering potential treatments for diseases once considered untreatable, such as certain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. With the rise of precision medicine, TPD’s ability to deliver highly specific treatments tailored to individual disease mechanisms meets the growing demand for personalized therapies. Furthermore, tools like proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have improved our understanding of protein degradation, increasing the promise of TPD as an effective therapeutic approach. However, the high cost of development of these drug modalities and off-target effects may hamper the growth of the market.

Global Targeted Protein Degradation Market Dynamics

DRIVER: Advances In Biotechnology And Drug Discovery

Advancements in biotechnology and drug discovery are driving the growth of the targeted protein degradation (TPD) market. TPD research is progressing rapidly, with new molecular glues (MGS) and TPD technologies advancing to clinical trials. These therapies have shown promise in treating complex diseases like cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and blood cancers. TPD technologies work by targeting proteins for degradation through different pathways, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the endolysosomal pathway, and autophagy. Each of these pathways offers unique benefits. For example, UPS-based TPD targets proteins through specific complexes, while LYTACS and AUTACS target proteins in various parts of the body. Innovations in ligand design and E3 ligase recruitment are improving the specificity of TPD drugs, making them more effective and safer. Additionally, new delivery methods like degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs) and nanotechnology are enhancing drug precision and efficiency. With over 1,000 TPD-related research projects globally, including significant progress in China, the expanding potential of TPD is opening up opportunities for treating diseases that were once thought to be undruggable. For example, in March 2024, researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard developed a new system using compact degron tags and molecular glues to precisely degrade a cell's native proteins. In October 2024, researchers from the University of Dundee used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study protein degraders at an atomic level. These advancements are contributing to the rapid growth of the TPD market by enhancing the understanding and application of TPD therapies.

RESTRAINT: High complexity and cost of TPD drug development

The high complexity and cost of developing targeted protein degradation (TPD) drugs present a significant restraint in the market. TPD drug development involves intricate processes, including the identification and design of specific degron molecules, molecular glue complexes, and the careful selection of target proteins. This requires advanced technologies like gene editing, protein engineering, and high-throughput screening, all of which add complexity to the development pipeline. Furthermore, the specialized equipment and expertise needed to develop and manufacture TPD therapies result in substantial costs. As a result, the high financial investment required for research, clinical trials, and production limits the number of companies capable of entering the market, slowing the progress and widespread adoption of TPD-based therapies. Additionally, the extended timelines for regulatory approval and validation of these therapies further hinder market growth.

OPPORTUNITY: Increasing focus on Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs) for Targeted Treatment

Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs) offer a valuable opportunity in the Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) market by improving the effectiveness of protein-degrading treatments. TPD is a promising approach that aims to selectively remove harmful proteins linked to diseases, especially cancer. However, PROTACs, the main tool for TPD, face challenges such as poor absorption and quick breakdown in the body, which limits their success. By combining PROTACs with monoclonal antibodies, DACs help solve these issues. The antibody targets specific cells or tissues, improving the delivery of the PROTAC to the right location and enhancing the treatment's effectiveness. This approach makes TPD therapies more practical for patients, especially in cancer treatment. As interest in DACs grows, it opens up new possibilities in the TPD market, attracting investment and research to further develop these therapies.

CHALLENGE: Off-Target effects of the TPD drugs

Off-target effects are a significant challenge in the targeted protein degradation (TPD) market. These occur when degraders, like PROTACs, unintentionally bind to and degrade proteins that were not meant to be targeted, which can lead to toxicity, disruption of normal cell functions, and side effects. This happens because E3 ubiquitin ligases, which help recruit proteins for degradation, may not always be specific enough, increasing the risk of unwanted interactions. Predicting these effects is also difficult due to the complexity of cellular protein interactions. To address this, researchers are focusing on designing more selective degraders and using advanced models to identify potential off-target effects early in the development process. Despite the challenges, improvements in degrader design and monitoring during clinical trials are helping to reduce off-target effects and improve the safety of TPD therapies.

Key Market Players

• Arvinas (US)
• Ranok Therapeutics Co. Ltd. (US)
• C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (US)
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (US)
• Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals (China)
• Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (US)
• Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. (US)
• oghorn Therapeutics (US).

Recent Developments:

• In October 2024, Biogen and Neomorph announced a research collaboration to discover and develop molecular glue degraders for treating Alzheimer’s, rare neurological, and immunological diseases.
• In September 2024, PhoreMost Ltd. raised USD 12 million in Series B financing. The funds will advance PhoreMost's pipeline of novel degrader assets in oncology and inflammation, supporting preclinical development and further expansion of its GlueSEEKER platform for molecular glue discovery.
• In July 2024, Pinetree Therapeutics successfully raised USD 17 million in a Series A funding round, co-led by STIC Investments and DSC Investment, along with new investors. The funds will support the development of the company’s AbReptor antibody degrader platform, aimed at combating drug resistance in oncology and other therapeutic areas.
• In July 2024, Draupnir Bio, a Danish biotechnology company, completed a USD 12.4 million seed round to advance its development of oral, small-molecule degraders targeting extracellular disease-causing proteins.
• In April 2024, Novartis partnered with Arvinas, investing USD 150 million upfront and up to USD 1.01 billion in milestones. The deal focuses on ARV-766, a second-generation androgen receptor degrader for prostate cancer, currently in Phase I/II trials. Novartis gains global rights to develop and commercialize ARV-766 and the AR-V7 program.

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