Virus filtration market

The global virus filtration market was valued at US$ 4.44 Bn in 2022 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 12.92 Bn by 2030 at a CAGR of 14.3% between 2023 and 2030. The global virus filtration market is experiencing strong growth due to the increasing demand for biologics and rise in drug development around the world. Moreover, rise in prevalence of chronic disease and the outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic) is expected to boost the growth of the market. However, factors such as stringent regulations for validation of filtration products and risk associated with the filtration are expected to hamper the growth of the market.

Global Virus Filtration Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the global virus filtration market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Among regions, North America is expected to gain highest share in the market during the forecast period due to the rise in prevalence of chronic diseases, growing demand for therapeutic biologics, increase in research and development, and rapid growth of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in the region. Therapeutic biologics are often used for the treatment of chronic diseases. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six in ten adults in the U.S. live with at least one chronic disease and are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs.

Europe and Asia Pacific are also expected to witness lucrative growth in the global virus filtration market due to the increase in burden of chronic diseases, growing demand for biologics, and rapid growth of the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry in these regions. For instance, virus filtration is used to assure the viral safety of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical processes. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India is the largest producer of vaccines worldwide, accounting for 60% of the total vaccines, as of 2021. India supplies over 50% of the global demand for various vaccines, 40% of the generic demand for U.S. and 25% of all medicines for U.K.

Figure 1. Global Virus Filtration Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

Global Virus Filtration Market Drivers:

Increasing demand for biologics to augment market growth

One of the key factors expected to augment the growth of the global virus filtration market during the forecast period is the increasing demand for biologics across the globe. With the rise in burden of chronic and immunological diseases, the demand for therapeutic biologics is also increasing. In February 2021, Hangzhou Sciwind Biosciences Co. Ltd. (Sciwind) received US$ 37 Million Series B financing from LYFE Capital to accelerate the research and development of innovative biologics in the therapeutic area of chronic metabolic and immunological diseases.  

Rise in drug development to underpin market growth

Another factor which is driving the growth of the global virus filtration market is the rise in drug development around the world. For instance, there is an increase in demand for novel drugs owing to the rise in global disease burden. Thus, market players are focusing in developing and launching novel drugs in the market. In September 2021, Clean Cells planned to invest around US$ 15 million for a new production facility in Montaigu‑Vendée, France to speed up the development and time-to-market of novel treatments and vaccines for COVID‑19.

Global Virus Filtration Market Opportunities:

Increase in prevalence of chronic disease across the globe is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players in the global virus filtration market. For instance, with the rise in burden of chronic disease, the demand for novel drugs or biologics is also increasing with the rapid pace. Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical facilities require virus filtration during drug development to maintain their sterilized condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability across the world. Heart disease has remained the leading cause of death at the global level in the past few years.

The outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic) is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global virus filtration market. For instance, in August 2021, Hong Kong-based Aurabeat announced the launch of anti-COVID Class 2 medical-grade air purifier in India. Using the patented AG+ five-stage sterilization purifying technology, antiviral air purifier cleans the air up to 3.4 times in a hour. According to the actual experimental test results using COVID-19 viruses in the U.S. virology laboratory, MRI Global, Aurabeat AG+ Silver ion Antiviral air purifier proved to effectively eliminate 99.9% coronavirus in 15 minutes.

Global Virus Filtration Market Trends:

Rise in demand for virus filtration is a recent trend

There is increasing demand for virus filtration products as they are widely employed by different industries to develop products with high grade of safety and safeguard health. Moreover, with the increasing number of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical/biotech facilities worldwide, demand for virus filtration products is also increasing with the rapid pace. This trend is expected to continue over the forecast period, driving the growth of the market.

Increase in research and development is another trend

With the increase in prevalence of chronic disease worldwide, the demand for novel vaccines or pharmaceuticals is also increasing. Players in the market are engaged in research and development (R&D) activities to develop ground-breaking vaccines/pharmaceuticals. R&D and production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals require some sort of virus filtration to be in the sterilized condition. This trend is also expected to continue over the forecast period.

Global Virus Filtration Market Restraints:

Stringent rules and regulations to hinder market growth

One of the key factors expected to hamper the growth of the virus filtration market is the stringent regulations for validation of filtration products. Pharma/biotech companies are implementing virus filtration in their manufacturing process owing to the regulations, but they are required to validate that filtration process. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the manufacturers of biotech products to demonstrate the clearance capability of their manufacturing processes with one relevant retrovirus (murine retrovirus) before starting Phase I studies.

Risk associated with filtration to hamper market growth

Another factor which is hampering growth of the global virus filtration market is the risk associated with the filtration. The biological therapeutic products are found to be manufactured by deploying human cells. There are high chances of them getting contaminated with either known or unknown viruses. Filtration is a mainstay in many processes to ensure the removal of viruses in biological products. Hence, regulatory authorities have mandated manufacturers to evaluate the risks of virus contamination and take necessary measures to mitigate these risks.

Figure 2. Global Virus Filtration Market Share (%), by Kits, Reagents & Consumables, 2023

Global Virus Filtration Market Segmentation:

The global virus filtration market report is segmented into Product, Application, End User, and Geography.

Based on Product, the market is segmented into Kits and Reagents, Filtration Systems, Services, and Other Products. Out of which, Kits and Reagents Segment is expected to dominate the virus filtration market during the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase in demand for kits and reagents. Kits and reagents play an important role in the virus filtration process.

Filtration Systems Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is due to the rise in demand for filters and membranes. Biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturers use advanced filtration systems for R&D and production of biologics.

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Biologicals, Medical Devices, Water Purification, and Air Purification. Biologicals further segmented into Vaccines and Therapeutics, Blood and Blood Products, Cellular and Gene Therapy Products, Tissue and Tissue Products, and Other Products. Out of which, Vaccines and Therapeutics Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in demand for safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics across the globe.

Blood and Blood Products Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to growing research is on the purification of blood by filtering the viruses and increasing application of virus filtration in blood products.

Based on End User, the market is segmented into Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Contract Research Organisations (CROs), Academic Research Organisations, and Medical Device Companies. Out of which, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies Segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in focus on the development of safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics.

Contract Research Organisations (CROs) Segment is also expected to witness robust growth in the near future and this is owing to trend of outsourcing R&D and manufacturing to CROs.

Global Virus Filtration Market: Key Developments

In October 2022, PathoQuest opened its new facility based in Wayne, PA. The 7000 sqft [650 sqm] facility has already begun to take on new clients from across North America as well as globally, allowing life-changing biologics to be tested in this key market.

In July 2022, Agilitech announced the launch of virus filtration system, a highly versatile single-use platform for virus filtration in bioprocessing.

In July 2022, Genome Valley, a vaccine manufacturer, and Biological E. planned to invest US$ 22 million to increase vaccine production, generic injectables, and research and development (R&D) of various vaccinations, including tetanus.

Global Virus Filtration Market: Key Companies Insights

The global virus filtration market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rise in demand for virus filtration or filtration solutions across the globe, as a result, players in the market are focusing on launching novel products in the market.

Some of the key players in the global virus filtration market are Wuxi Biologics, Clean Cell Inc., Sartorius AG, Pall Corporation, Merck KgaA, Lonza Group Ltd., General Electric Company, Thermo Fischer Scientific Inc., Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd., and Charles River Laboratories International Inc., among others.

*Definition: Virus filtration is often used to assure the viral safety of biopharmaceutical products. It is a size-based removal method which uses a specifically designed polymeric membrane to retain virus particles on the surface and within the pores of the membrane.  

Detailed Segmentation:

• Global Virus Filtration Market, By Product:
  • Kits and Reagents
  • Filtration Systems
  • Services
  • Other Products
• Global Virus Filtration Market, By Application:
  • Biologicals
  • Medical Devices
  • Water Purification
  • Air Purification
• Global Virus Filtration Market, By End User:
  • Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
  • Contract Research Organisations (CROs)
  • Academic Research Organisations
  • Medical Device Companies
• Global Virus Filtration Market, By Geography:
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa