The biotech industry is adopting trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis and automation to optimize production. There has been an increase in consumer biotech or biotech products directed at customers rather than biopharmaceuticals or healthcare businesses.
Although the industry is still mainly concentrated in the pharmaceutical sector, startups are working to develop solutions from food and materials to environmental monitoring.
The pandemic of the new coronavirus has indeed highlighted the far-reaching impact of the biotech industry, with startups and companies developing rapid testing kits, repurposing drugs and vaccines.
To delve into the top trends and startups in the biotech industry, StartUs Insights, a global operating data science company based in Higher, uses its data platform to analyze samples of 4351 global startups and scale businesses.
The platform covers more than 1.379 million startups and scale enterprises around the world, quickly providing a detailed overview of emerging technologies in specific fields, and identifying relevant startups and scales in the early stage.
"We provide a high-performance discovery platform for you to solve discovery problems," said David Plather, founder and CEO of the company. "Enables you to quickly and comprehensively identify relevant solutions and technologies."
From the innovation map below, you can see the top ten industry trends and innovations that affect biotech companies around the world, as well as 20 carefully selected startups, all dedicated to developing emerging technologies in their own fields.
Innovation Map outlines the top ten biotech industry trends and 20 promising startups
Biotech startups and scale businesses use artificial intelligence, big data and analytics to interpret large amounts of existing biodata to accelerate industry innovation.
gene sequencing and gene editing technology enables companies to understand the genome and use it for commercial purposes, which contributes to the application of precision medicine and synthetic biology , which also uses DNA synthesis.
Biomanufacturing can achieve sustainable and scalable manufacturing of various products.
Finally, startups use bioprinting, microfluidic technology and tissue engineering to reinvent the meaning of biotech products, ranging from breeding meat and artificial organs to small laboratories.
The impact of the top ten biotech industry trends
The global entrepreneurship heat map below highlights the global distribution of 4351 typical startups and scale analyzed in this study. The entrepreneurial hotmap shows that the United States is the base of these companies, while business activities in Europe, especially France have increased.
Global startup popularity map covers 4351 biotech startups and scale
Below are 20 of these 4351 promising startups and scale
About 20 of these 4351 promising startups and scale till the solutions they develop. These 20 startups are carefully selected based on the year of establishment, location, financing and other standards.
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence: Biotech Industry Trends
Artificial Intelligence enables biotech startups to automate a wide range of processes and helps them scale their business.
For example, biopharmaceutical startups use artificial intelligence to accelerate the drug discovery process, screen biomarker , and discover new products through scientific literature.
image classification algorithm allows rapid detection of different features—for example, cancer cells in medical scans and crop disease symptoms in leaf images.
In addition, startups are using deep learning to analyze the microbiome, screen phenotypes and develop rapid diagnosis.
- Arpeggio Bio Development Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Platform
Arpeggio Bio is a US-based startup that is developing an RNA platform to guide therapeutic development.
The startup's solution uses artificial intelligence technology to interpret RNA time series data to reconstruct signaling pathways.
It converts RNA analysis data into visualizations, providing insights on how drugs affect RNA levels depending on dose, time, and tissue.
- DeepTrait recognizes genetic markers
Swedish startup DeepTrait uses artificial intelligence to identify genetic markers.
The startup's proprietary deep neural network architecture analyzes genomic data to understand the genetic mechanisms of traits.
DeepTrait's solution is used in plant and livestock breeding, novel drug design and diagnostic development.
2. Big Data Analysis
Big Data Analysis: Biotechnology Industry Trends
There is an unprecedented amount of data in today's biotechnology, including the growing integration of Omics technology, sensors and IoT devices.
Big data and analytics solutions enable biotech startups to leverage this rich data to drive innovation.
It enables biopharmaceutical companies to recruit patients more effectively for clinical trials.
Startups and companies deploy bioinformatics solutions to develop better feeds, improve crops and livestock breeds, and explore undiscovered microorganisms.
- BioXplor discovers safe treatment options
German startup BioXplor uses big data to discover better and safer treatment options.
It performs network pharmacology analysis to develop treatments from unstructured and different data sources.
startup solutions determine the synergistic or antagonistic effect of drug combinations.
It also analyzes the response and non-responsive signals of patient data, improving patient treatment results and treatment response analysis.
- BioBox Analytics develops a genome data analysis platform
Canadian startup BioBox Analytics has developed a genome data analysis platform.
It uses a database to manage all models, samples, and data and runs bioinformatics pipelines in the cloud.
solution identifies gene enrichment, tissue/cell expression and ontology.
The startup also provides visual solutions that can query papers, datasets, and genes.
3. Gene editing
Gene editing: Biotechnology industry trends
From randomly inserting exogenous DNA to genetic modification of organisms to precise editing of genomes, genetic engineering has come a long way.
The improvement in gene editing efficiency is due to the development of engineering nucleases and the recent development of CRISPR as molecular scissors.
adds, replaces or silens specific genes through gene editing technology, which opens up application areas for gene therapy and the treatment of other diseases.
Targeted genetic modification also makes the development of transgenic plants and animals possible.
- PLANTeDIT provides genome editing solutions
PLANTeDIT is an Irish startup that produces non-GMO, genome editing plant products.
The startup uses patented genome editing tools and its internal transformation technology to achieve efficient direct delivery and rapid regeneration of genome-edited plants.
PLANTeDIT mutates the FAD2 gene in soybeans, producing a high oleic acid variant.
High oleic acid oil helps food companies extend the shelf life of food.
US-based startup Plastomics has developed a new generation of delivery technology.
This startup uses the chloroplast engineering characteristics for breeding.
differs from core features, which will lead to more efficient feature integration and accelerate time to market, making startup solutions suitable for applications such as modifying photosynthetic pathways and metabolic pathway engineering.
4. Precision Medicine
Precision Medicine: Biotech Industry Trends
The decline in the cost of gene editing and gene sequencing makes their application more routine in clinical practice, and it makes precise medicine possible, an approach that allows doctors to determine which treatment and prevention strategies work for specific populations.
In addition, it can also personalize the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer.
Biotech startups are using precision medicine to identify new drug targets, discover new drugs, provide gene therapy and develop new drug delivery technologies.
- iLoF provides personalized treatments
British startup iLoF provides an accurate, patient-centered drug development platform.
This blood-based platform has found biological nanostructures in liquid dispersions such as plasma.
The platform is fast and non-invasive and contributes to the development of precise and personalized treatments.
The startup's screening test is to classify patients for clinical trials.
- Dyno Therapeutics develops gene therapy
Dyno Therapeutics is a US-based startup that develops artificial intelligence-driven gene therapy.
The startup's CapsidMap platform optimizes adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to improve targeting capabilities.
This solution maps the synthetic AAV capsid sequence space to develop better gene therapy vectors.
5. Gene sequencing
Gene sequencing: Biotechnology industry trends
Since the beginning of this century, the cost of DNA sequencing has dropped by 5 orders of magnitude, opening up a wide range of application fields in the industry.
Whole genome sequencing reduces the cost of identifying pediatric diseases, personalizing treatments, and establishing large populations with a wide range of phenotypes.
sequencing also provides a fast and inexpensive method to detect the presence of microorganisms, detecting beneficial soil microorganisms from pathogens in clinical and dairy samples.
Biotech startups are innovating new sequencing technologies and new applications of gene sequencing.
- BioClavis provides personalized diagnosis
British startup BioClavis provides personalized diagnosis.
The startup's TempO-Seq platform can quickly and inexpensively perform high-throughput analysis of the protein encoding transcriptome.
This solution improves efficiency by using defined input sequences and requires only 10% sequencing reads compared to RNA-Seq.
The startup has also developed a solution to quickly and accurately identify active COVID-19 infection.
- BioSkryb provides Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) workflow
Bioskryb is an American startup that develops the Whole Genome Sequencing Process ResolveDNA.
The startup’s workflow is compatible with single-cell, multi-cell and low-input DNA samples.
BioSkryb also provides a BaseJumper bioinformatics platform compatible with most sequencing platforms for DNA sequencing analysis.
6. Biomanufacturing
Biomanufacturing: Biotechnology industry trends
Biomanufacturing uses biological systems to produce medical products and therapies, biomaterials , food and beverages, and special chemicals.
Startups are advancing different cell culture, fermentation and recombinant production technologies to make biomanufacturing cheap and scalable.
The use of biological raw materials also makes it relatively more sustainable compared to other manufacturing models.
The production model of this industry also adopts machine learning and automation.
By integrating the Industry 4.0 model, biotech startups provide bioprocessing 4.0 to optimize every step of the production process.
- Proteinea has developed an insect-based production platform
U.S.-based startup Proteinea has developed an insect-based production platform for the next generation of biomanufacturing.
The initial insect technology uses mass-produced insect larvae as microbioreactors for recombinant production.
It grows them in data-driven vertical farms, making this process predictable and environmentally sustainable.
This solution makes traditional bioreactor a more scalable and robust alternative.
- Deep Branch provides gas fermentation
Deep Branch is a British startup that converts industrial emissions of carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals.
It uses a proprietary gas fermentation process to convert captured carbon dioxide into protons and is an single-cell protein .
protons are optimized for use as animal feed and have high protein and vitamin content and optimal amino acid configuration.
7. Synthetic Biology
Synthetic Biology: Biotech Industry Trends
An unprecedented ability to read and write genomes enables biotech startups and companies to develop products faster than ever before.
In addition, synthetic biology provides higher standardization and repeatability, allowing manipulation of organisms at the level of gene networks.
Synthetic Biology startups are committed to the challenges from computational drug design and cellular agriculture to microbiome-based solutions.
Bacterial cell factory provides high yields of valuable biochemicals used in pharmaceuticals, materials and foods.
In addition to microorganisms, startups are also developing mammalian synthetic biology solutions.
- LenioBio provides cell-free protein expression
German startup LenioBio develops a plant-based cell-free protein expression solution.
The startup's ALiCE kit can produce more than 500 post-translationally modified proteins at a high yield of 3 mg/ml.
It only needs to add one gene to the lysate in plasmid , and there is no need for multiple pipetting steps.
This startup produces reporter proteins, antigens, , antibodies, allergens and hormones for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.
- Ribbon Biolabs provides DNA synthesis
Ribbon Biolabs is an Austrian startup that is developing new methods for DNA synthesis.
The startup’s process combines biochemistry , algorithms and automation to drive precise and multiple DNA synthesis.
It synthesizes DNA by building the entire genome or developing antibody screening libraries for various applications in biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and agriculture.
In addition, it promotes DNA-based nanotechnology and storing information or computing with DNA.
8. Bioprinting
Bioprinting: Biotechnology industry trends
With the introduction of additive manufacturing in biotechnology, bioprinting startups provide a wide range of materials and products.
The bioprinters used by these startups work with bio-based materials or bio-inks developed by biomaterials.
In medical applications, cells grow around the scaffold as matrix.
This allows bone, skin or vascular grafts to grow from the patient's own cells for personalized treatment.
Other startups use bioprinting technology for rapid prototyping and biopolymer development.
- D Biotechnology Solutions Enables Biomanufacturing
The startup's 3D biomanufacturing bioprinter is called "Genesis", serving the needs of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine researchers.
The startup also offers BioFDM, another printer that uses biocompatible polymers for melt deposition modeling (FDM).
- Prometheus provides artificial 3D tissue
Italian startup Prometheus provides human tissue 3D bioprinting technology with high cell viability.
The startup combines cells with biomaterials to create a bioink that is then printed out layer by layer.
Artificial 3D human tissue has similar composition, function and structure to real human tissue.
The startup also developed Ematik Ready, a veterinary patch that promotes wound healing in dogs and horses.
9. Microfluidics
Microfluidics: Biotechnology Industry Trends
The biotechnology industry's interest in microfluidics stems from the demand for laboratory-on-chip (LOC) devices.
These miniaturized laboratories allow inexpensive and rapid testing of infectious diseases, facilitating point-of-care (PoC) diagnosis.
startups are also developing paper-based microfluidics for diagnostic and environmental monitoring.
This technology has found more biopharmaceutical applications in organ-on-chip (OOC) devices that simulate organ or organ-type physiology on chips. The
OOC system has been used in drug screening and disease modeling.
- Eden Technology provides micromachining solutions
Eden Technology is a French startup that uses microfluidic technology to develop micromachining solutions.
This startup offers a range of microfluidic devices and accessories, as well as biocompatible polymer Flexdym.
It is developed for large-capacity artificial organs used in the medical technology sector.
For clean technology applications, the startup's solution is to use a smart microchannel network for ultra-efficient wastewater filtration.
- Droplite develops a laboratory device on chip
Spanish startup dropite develops an intelligent medical diagnostic device.
The startup's equipment combines microfluidics, nanotechnology, surface chemistry and photonics to analyze immunoassay test kits in minutes.
This on-chip laboratory device is under development for diagnostic testing from fertility, allergies to pet diseases.
10. Tissue Engineering
Tissue Engineering: Biotechnology Industry Trends
In recent years, the number of tissue engineering startups has grown dramatically, thanks in large part to the development of bioprinting and microfluidic technology.
This technology promotes the production of autologous tissue grafts to treat burn or organ transplantation, and promotes the development of regenerative medicine.
Although most startups are limited to biomedical applications, there are also companies that are creating sustainable alternatives to animal products such as meat or leather through tissue engineering.
Of course, this requires a huge scale to make food products comparable in cost to animal products.
- Aleph Farm produces breeding meat
Aleph Farms is an Israeli start-up that produces breeding meat.
The startup isolates cells from healthy cows and breeds them into an ethical and sustainable meat alternative.
It does not need to slaughter animals, nor does it need to generate carbon emissions, producing elusive real beef steaks.
The startup’s process also provides a way to sustainably grow food on long-term space missions.
- LyGenesis develops organ regeneration technology
US-based startup LyGenesis has developed an organ regeneration technology platform.
It converts lymph nodes into functional ectopic organs, which can treat dozens of patients from a donor organ.
The startup uses outpatient endoscope ultrasound to transplant its cell therapy without surgery.
Conclusion
"The industry is introducing Industry 4.0 technology," said Dr. Zhu Dan, senior vice president of at Jimei Holdings Group. "The development of biotechnology often penetrates the pharmaceutical industry."
Biotech is also crucial to sustainable development. It provides an eco-friendly alternative to the production of materials and foods, and promotes a circular economy by utilizing biomass raw materials.
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