SynBio Topics – Growth Rates

Fast growing SynBio topics

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for all 60 SynBio topics identified, was calculated to identify the fastest growing topics, visualised in figure 1. The bespoke dataset exploits EPO SynBio patents with the restriction that the INPADOC patent family has originated since 2015. Whilst this restriction has enabled us to manage the overall dataset size and explore more topic areas, it can lead to a restricted number of publications occurring in 2015. To account for the restriction, the CAGR was calculated from 2016-2024.

In figure 1, some of the fastest growing topics are unsurprisingly therapeutic related such as chimeric antigen receptors (38%), antibody drug-conjugates (25.5%), fusion proteins (22.7%) and gene therapy (22.4%). The AI & machine learning topic (30.8%) is ranked top 5 for growth and the molecular design & biostatistics e.g. drug discovery topic is ranked 6%, growing at 29% during 2016-24. Outside of therapeutics, the alternative protein topic is growing at 23.6% and ranked 10th. The topics ranked 16-30 are all above the 17% growth rate threshold which highlights the growth and development of SynBio during the most recent decade. Genetically modified microorganisms are growing at 19.4% and above the 2500 publications threshold in 2024. Bioremediation and gaseous capture is becoming increasingly important, growing at 18.6%. Food based applications have grown at 18%.

In figure two, the analysis is extended to topics ranked 31-45 & 46-60. All of the identified 60 topics are growing above 5% CAGR during 2016-24. Topics identified in figure two beyond the therapeutic areas include biodegradable materials (15.9%), packaging, films & bioplastics (15.7%), polyesters (15%), waste processing and conversion (14.9%), textiles and coatings (11.6%) and biofuels (6.7%).

The rapid compound annual growth rates during 2016-2024 for innovative technologies such as CRISPR (39.4%), chimeric antigen receptors (38%) and the use of artificial intelligence (36.6%) amongst others, highlights the growing influence of the SynBio field. Established fields such as genetically modified microorganisms are experiencing solid growth (19%). The stats suggest there are diverse areas of flourishing innovation within SynBio technology areas at the European Patent Office. Collaboration between universities, public sector, non-profit organisations and companies working across multiple SynBio areas could also support multi-disciplinary growth.