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Recombinant Protein Drugs: A 2025 Update
Hèctor López-Laguna1,2,3, Eloi Parladé3,4, Marianna T P Favaro2,3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
Recombinant protein therapeutics are evolving into highly engineered, multifunctional platforms. Innovations in production, engineering, and regulation are driving the next generation of advanced biologic drugs.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Recombinant protein therapeutics have advanced from simple replacement drugs to complex, multifunctional platforms.
- Innovations in synthetic biology, host cell engineering, and bioprocess optimization are key drivers of this evolution.
- Next-generation protein formats include bispecific antibodies, nanobodies, and fusion proteins with diverse therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a 2025 update on the field of recombinant protein drugs.
- To integrate recent advances in production platforms, protein engineering, and regulatory science.
- To outline how these technological advancements are shaping the future of biologics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature and industry trends in recombinant protein drug development.
- Analysis of innovations in host systems (microbial, mammalian, plant-based) for protein production.
- Examination of modular protein engineering strategies for novel therapeutic formats.
- Assessment of evolving regulatory frameworks and manufacturing models.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in host systems enabling high-fidelity, scalable, and safe protein production.
- Development of diverse next-generation protein formats with expanded therapeutic potential.
- Adaptation of regulatory pathways for complex and personalized biologics.
- Emergence of decentralized and flexible manufacturing models.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant protein drugs are transitioning into versatile platforms for functional reprogramming.
- Technological advancements across production, engineering, and regulation are accelerating biologic innovation.
- The field is poised for the development of sophisticated biologics targeting a wide range of diseases.
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