Top 5 Companies Providing Insect Cell Expression Systems
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Published: August 2024
These players are engaged in providing insect cell expression systems or protein expression services based on insect cell, to facilitate the synthesis of several complex proteins, including toxic proteins, membrane proteins and other post translationally modified proteins. We analyzed the key companies that are engaged in providing insect cell expression systems / services within the protein expression market. In this article, discover the 5 leading companies and their products / services based for insect cell based protein expression.
Protein expression, also referred as protein production, is a biotechnological process for producing specific proteins using a cells machinery. Recent advancements in genetic engineering and gene cloning techniques have prompted the isolation and expression of recombinant proteins for their use in research, therapeutic and industrial applications. Particularly, in case of large-scale applications, such as enzyme, antibody or vaccine manufacturing, a significant amount of protein is required. Such large-scale manufacturing requirements, coupled with the need for the comprehensive study of proteins for research, therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, have led to the development of novel protein expression systems, that are based on various cell and cell-free systems.
One of the popular cell-based expression systems being utilized for the purpose of protein expression includes insect cell protein expression systems. This eukaryotic system addresses the need for glycosylation and three-dimensional folding and is not prone to viral contaminations. Further, unlike mammalian cells, insect cells have comparatively higher protein yield and can be maintained both as adherent and suspension cells and thereby, allow easy scale-up. It is worth highlighting that over the last two decades, the baculovirus insect cell expression system has extensively been used for the production of recombinant proteins. Further, the insect cell lines that are most widely utilized as host cells include the ones derived from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9, Sf21), Trichoplusia ni (High Five) and Drosophila melanogaster (S2).
On the other hand, in the recent years, cell free protein expression systems have also emerged as potential alternatives to the conventional cell-based protein expression systems, owing to their ability to produce a wide range of target molecules, higher yield, low cost of development and shorter development timelines. It is worth noting that the utilization of synthetic biology to engineer cellular systems for enhanced protein expression, along with the integration of multi-omics is likely to drive the protein expression market in the coming years.
Roots Analysis has conducted an exhaustive study on Protein Expression Market featuring the current market landscape and future opportunity for the expression system and service providers, including insect cell expression systems providers, over a span of 10 years.
Table of Contents
The top 5 companies providing insect cell expression systems / services are listed below (in alphabetical order):
Table 1: List of Top 5 Players Providing Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services
| S.No. | Insect Cell Expression System Providers | Year of Establishment | Location of Headquarters (Country) | Location of Headquarters (Region) |
| 1 | Charles River Laboratories | 1947 | Massachusetts, US | North America |
| 2 | GenScript Biotech | 2002 | New Jersey, US | North America |
| 3 | Merck | 1668 | Hessen, Germany | Europe |
| 4 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 2006 | Massachusetts, US | North America |
| 5 | WuXi Biologics | 2010 | Jiangsu, China | Asia-Pacific |
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Discover the Details on 5 Companies Providing Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services
This article highlights the top 5 players to watch out for in this industry. It is essential to note that the selection of top players can differ substantially according to the defined criteria.
1. Charles River Laboratories, Offers Expression, Purification and Characterization Services for Proteins Across Multiple Protein Expression Systems
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Charles River Laboratories specializes in offering contract services related to drug discovery and research, clinical support and manufacturing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals and academic institutions. Owing to the firm’s scientific experience and trained workforce, the company uses novel approaches to accelerate the development of chemicals, drugs and medical devices. It is worth highlighting that the company operates through over 110 facilities located across more than 20 countries, globally. In fact, it claims to have supported the development of 86% of the FDA-approved drugs in 2021. Further, the company offers customized recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization services using E. coli, mammalian, insect cells-baculovirus, and BacMam.
Charles River Laboratories offers following Protein Expression Related Offerings:
- Protein Expression Systems
- Reagents
- Expression Vectors
- Protein Expression Services
Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services Offered:
The company claims to generate custom protein reagents, integrating the required post-translational modifications, using a number of protein expression systems. These expression systems primarily include Baculovirus-based insect cell and mammalian cell expression systems and E. coli-based expression systems.
The company’s insect cells-baculovirus expression service includes construct design, scalable protein expression from bench to fermenter scale (up to 20L), automated protein purification, protein labelling, quality control, stability studies and protein characterization.
Recent Developments:
In July 2024, the company announced the appointment of Reshema Kemps-Polanco to its Board of Directors. In the coming years, the company is likely to appoint other renowned individuals to its management team, in order to strengthen their leadership and lay the foundation for a promising future.
To know more about Charles River Laboratories and other companies providing insect cell expression systems and services, access our full report.
2. GenScript Biotech, Provides Both Insect Cell Expression Systems and Protein Expression Services
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GenScript is a biotechnology company offering a wide range of services, including custom gene synthesis, oligonucleotide synthesis, CRISPR, peptide synthesis, recombinant protein expression, and antibody development and production. It is worth highlighting that the company has over 18 years of experience in protein expression, having delivered more than 100,000 projects with 98% success rate. GenScript has its proprietary GenSmart™ Codon Optimization and TurboCHO™ expression platforms for one stop protein expression services, expressing pure and high throughput protein from µg to kgs.
GenScript Biotech offers following Protein-Expression Related Offerings:
- Protein Expression Systems
- Protein Expression Services
Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services Offered:
With respect to the insect cell expression systems, the company launched its BacuVanceTM, its baculovirus expression system in 2009. The system has successfully helped in production of several types of proteins including transmembrane proteins, high molecular weight proteins and kinases.
Its insect cell-based protein expression service includes DNA synthesis to purified protein in a timeline of 8-11 weeks.
Recent Developments:
- In May 2024, the company participated in the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 14th Annual Optimizing Protein Expression conference, held in Massachusetts, US.
- In April 2024, the company participated in AACR Annual Meeting to showcase its protein expression platforms, held in California, US.
- In March 2024, the company announced the appointment of David Liu to the company’s scientific advisory board (SAB).
To know more about GenScript Biotech and other companies providing insect cell expression systems and services, access our full report.
3. Merck, a Leading Supplier of Bacterial, Mammalian and Insect Cell Protein Expression and Transfection Products, Systems and Services
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Merck is a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm that is engaged in the development and commercialization of solutions for research and production of biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical therapies. The company claims to offer one of the broadest portfolios in the industry and prominent products for pharmaceutical manufacturing and development. Within its life sciences division, Merck offers a wide range of products and services related to protein expression, from gene cloning to protein expression and purification, catering to the needs of various pharma / biopharma, and academic and industrial researchers. The firm strives to develop products that enhance the ecological footprint, as well as help its clients to meet sustainability goals.
Merck offers following Protein-Expression Related Offerings:
- Protein Expression Systems
- Kits and Reagents
- Competent Cells
- Expression Vectors
- Protein Expression Services
Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services Offered:
With respect to insect cell expression systems, the company offers InsectDirect® System, which enables protein expression in 48 hours. The system offers expedited protein expression timelines by omitting the requirement of time-intensive recombinant baculovirus production. Further, this system allows large scale culture volume, leading to higher protein production yields.
Its insect cell-based protein expression system includes pIEx™ series of transient expression vectors, designed for the rapid protein expression in insect cells, along with Insect GeneJuice® Transfection Reagents for the nearly toxin-free transfection of Spodoptera insect cells.
Recent Developments:
- In May 2024, the company participated in the Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 3rd Annual Maximizing Protein Production Workflows Conference, held in California, US.
- In March 2024, the company expanded its protein expression capabilities through the opening of a new bioprocessing production center for the development and production of biologics, in South Korea, China.
- In February 2024, the company announced the appointment Dhananjay Singh as the Managing Director of Merck Life Science in India.
To know more about Merck and other companies providing insect cell expression systems and services, access our full report.
4. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Leading the Insect Cell Expression Field with Various Baculovirus Systems to Fit Client Needs
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Thermo Fisher Scientific is a biotechnology product development company that was formed following a merger between Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific. The company’s service and product portfolio are focused on accelerating life science research, delivering medicines to market, improving patient diagnostics, increasing productivity of laboratories, and solving complex analytical challenges. Further, the company offers customized end-to-end services for recombinant protein production and purification from scale ranging from 30mL to 20L. These services are provided through different brands of the company, including Applied Biosystems, Fisher Scientific, Invitrogen, Patheon, PPD, Thermo Scientific, and Unity Lab Services.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers following Protein-Expression Related Offerings:
- Protein Expression Systems
- Kits and Media
- Competent Cells
- Expression Vectors
- Protein Expression Services
Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services Offered:
The company offers Bac-to-Bac®, Bac- N-Blue DNA™ and BaculoDirect™ expression systems, all of which use Sf9, Sf21, or High Five Cells as host cells for protein expression. These three systems were originally developed by Invitrogen, which became a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2014. They also provide Drosophila Expression System (DES™) that uses Drosophila Schneider S2 cells as host.
The company also offers baculovirus protein expression service for small scale expression studies to large scale production up to 200L.
Recent Developments:
In January 2024, the company appointed Srinath Venkatesh as Managing Director, India and South Asia. We expect the firm to make similar appointments to its senior management, and onboard individuals who have the necessary qualifications and experience to see it through its upcoming phases of growth.
To know more about Thermo Fisher Scientific and other companies providing insect cell expression systems and services, access our full report.
5. WuXi Biologics, Provides Small Scale Protein Production Services Using Insect Cells
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WuXi Biologics is engaged in offering production and purification services for recombinant proteins, fc-fusion proteins, monoclonal, bispecific antibodies and multispecific antibodies. Through its Protein Sciences Department, the company specializes in providing high quality and scalable protein production for research purposes. This is achieved through their expertise in biologics development and the use of advanced expression systems. Further, the company has established quality control system to meet or exceed the regulatory standards of different agencies across the world, including Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea (MFDS), National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). It is worth noting that, in April 2024, WuXi Biologics won 2024 CDMO Leadership Awards for the seventh consecutive year.
WuXi Biologics offers following Protein-Expression Related Offerings:
- Protein Expression Systems
- Competent Cells
- Protein Expression Services
Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services Offered:
WuXi Biologics offers protein production services using Sf9 and HighFive insect cell lines with scale-up to volumes up to 20L. The company uses flashBAC™ baculovirus expression system from Oxford Expression Technologies for reducing the timelines to protein delivery to a range of 4-5 weeks.
Recent Developments:
In March 2023, the company expanded its protein expression capabilities by offering development and cGMP manufacturing of microbial-derived products using its E.coli and yeast expression platforms.
To know more about WuXi Biologics and other companies providing insect cell expression systems and services, access our full report.
What About the Other Players Providing Insect Cell Expression Systems / Services?
The above presentation features 5 players providing insect cell expression systems / services selected from a pool of more than 180 protein expression providers. If you are interested, you can download the Sample Report on “Protein Expression Market, till 2035” by Roots Analysis. For personalized assistance in identifying the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at sales@rootsanalysis.com.
Sources
1. “Reshema Kemps-Polanco”
https://ir.criver.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charles-river-laboratories-adds-reshema-kemps-polanco-board
2. “BacuVance Launch”
https://www.genscript.com/press_release/genscript-launches-bacuvancetm-and-yeasthightm-recombinant-protein-production-technology/
3. “Bioprocessing Production Center”
https://www.merckgroup.com/en/news/bioprocessing-production-center-daejong-20-03-2024.html
4. “Thermo Fisher Scientific Baculovirus Expression Service"
https://www.thermofisher.com/in/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-expression/protein-expression-services/baculovirus-protein-expression-service.html
5. “Insect Cell based Protein Expression Capabilities”
https://collateral.wuxibiologics.com/view/318819418/