Since the first monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were approved by the FDA in 1986, the field of therapeutic antibodies has advanced significantly. Early hybridoma technology produced mouse-derived antibodies, but these were limited by human antibodies developing an immune response against them. By the late 1990s, chimeric, humanized, and fully human monoclonal antibodies were developed, improving efficacy and safety.
Today, antibody-based therapeutics have expanded beyond cancer and autoimmune diseases to address infectious diseases and chronic diseases. The first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) was approved in 2000, and these therapies continue to evolve. Bispecific antibodies, capable of binding two different targets, are also gaining traction, with over 85 currently in clinical trials—86% of which are being evaluated for cancer treatments.1
Next-Generation Therapeutic Antibodies
The next generation of therapeutic antibodies includes bispecific antibodies, ADCs, and engineered antibody fragments. These antibody-based therapeutics offer improved targeting, higher efficacy, and fewer side effects. AI-driven drug discovery is also accelerating the development of monoclonal antibodies, with pharmaceutical companies leveraging machine learning to optimize protein structures and predict cell interactions.
The market for next-generation antibody therapeutics is expected to grow from USD 2.7 billion in 2024 to USD 6.3 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 7.9%.2 This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for precision medicine and the ability of novel antibody formats to treat a wide range of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.227
Market Growth and Industry Trends
The global therapeutic antibodies market is projected to reach USD 445 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 13.2% from 2022 to 2028. The antibody production industry alone is forecasted to reach USD 30.7 billion by 2031, with North America leading the market due to high investment in biologics and clinical research.3
Several pharmaceutical companies are expanding their product portfolio to include ADCs, bispecific antibodies, and nanobody-based therapies. With over 90 therapeutic agents currently in Phase I–III clinical trials, the antibody-based therapeutics industry is set for sustained growth.
Despite advancements, therapeutic antibodies face challenges:
Developability: Not all monoclonal antibodies can be manufactured at scale. Predictive analytics are now used to assess protein stability, solubility, and immunogenicity.
Complex Design: Bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates require precise engineering to ensure stability and efficacy. ADCs must maintain optimal conjugate ratios for effective drug delivery.
Cost: Antibody production remains expensive. Pharmaceutical companies are investing in AI-driven optimization and single-use bioprocessing to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Example of antibody structure prediction. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38063-x
The Future of Monoclonal Antibodies
The future of monoclonal antibodies will be defined by:
AI-Driven Discovery: Computational tools will refine antibody sequences, enhancing specificity and manufacturability.
Personalized Medicine: Biomarker-based therapeutic antibodies will improve treatment precision for chronic diseases and infectious diseases.
Combination Therapies: ADCs, bispecific antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors will improve patient outcomes in oncology and autoimmune diseases.
Manufacturing Innovation: Advances in antibody-drug conjugate chemistry and bispecific antibody design will expand their clinical applications.
With over 450 therapeutic antibodies in development, the industry is poised for continuous innovation. The integration of AI, precision medicine, and novel antibody-based therapeutics will shape the next era of antibody therapy, ensuring better treatments for a wide range of diseases.
Lyu, X., Zhao, Q., Hui, J., Wang, T., Lin, M., Wang, K., Zhang, J., Shentu, J., Dalby, P. A., Zhang, H., & Liu, B. (2022). The global landscape of approved antibody therapies. Antibody Therapeutics, 5(4), 233-257. https://doi.org/10.1093/abt/tbac021
