The Rise of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing: Market Trends and Investment Opportunities at the Industry Turning Point in 2026
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In 2026, the field of synthetic biology is experiencing unprecedented growth, emerging as a key driver of the global bioeconomy. According to the latest report by McKinsey & Company, the global synthetic biology market has grown by 28% compared to 2025, reaching $39 billion, and is expected to expand to a $120 billion market by 2030, maintaining an annual growth rate of 32%. This rapid growth is not merely a result of technological advancements but is also fostering fundamental changes in traditional manufacturing and healthcare industries. Particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of biomanufacturing capabilities has been highlighted, prompting governments and companies worldwide to significantly increase investments in synthetic biology-based production facilities.
The key factor driving the commercial success of synthetic biology is the dramatic improvement in cost efficiency. The cost of DNA synthesis has dropped by over 90% in the past five years, reaching as low as $0.02 per kilogram, making large-scale commercial production economically feasible. Simultaneously, the precision of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 has improved to 99.7%, significantly enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of biomanufacturing processes using microorganisms. These technological advancements are accelerating the adoption of synthetic biology-based solutions across various industries, including chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and materials.
In the U.S. market, Ginkgo Bioworks has established itself as a leader in the synthetic biology platform sector. Headquartered in Boston, the company recorded a 156% increase in fourth-quarter revenue in 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, reaching $234 million, demonstrating the commercial value of its automated biofoundry technology. Ginkgo’s core competitive advantage lies in its automated facilities capable of screening up to 100,000 microbial strains per day and its strain optimization technology utilizing machine learning algorithms. The company currently has partnerships with over 300 clients, providing customized microbial solutions in various fields, including flavors, cosmetics, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Notably, the $5 billion long-term contract signed with Bayer at the end of 2025 is regarded as a representative case demonstrating the applicability of synthetic biology technology in the agricultural sector.
In the Korean market, Samsung Biologics is emerging as a key player in the fields of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. Headquartered in Songdo, Incheon, Samsung Biologics achieved annual revenue of 3.24 trillion won in 2025, marking a 34% growth compared to the previous year. The company is advancing beyond its traditional biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing (CMO) business, actively entering the development and production of next-generation biopharmaceuticals based on synthetic biology. The fourth plant, completed in September 2025, has an annual production capacity of 240,000 liters and specializes in producing complex protein drugs using microorganisms designed through synthetic biology. Samsung Biologics is also actively working to secure global technological competitiveness by establishing a synthetic biology research lab in Seattle, USA.
The Paradigm Shift in Biomanufacturing and Market Opportunities
The most significant impact of synthetic biology is the replacement of traditional petrochemical-based manufacturing with biological manufacturing processes. Amyris, headquartered in California, is a leading company in this transition, having commercialized biorefinery technology that produces fragrances, cosmetic ingredients, and fuels using sugars extracted from sugarcane as raw materials. In 2025, Amyris recorded annual revenue of $782 million, a 67% increase from the previous year. Particularly, its flagship product, squalene (a cosmetic ingredient), has attracted global cosmetic brands by reducing production costs by 40% compared to the traditional shark liver oil extraction method while enabling environmentally friendly production.
The growth of biomanufacturing extends beyond merely replacing existing chemicals to creating entirely new materials and products. Startups like Bolt Threads have developed biofibers that are five times stronger than traditional fibers by producing spider silk proteins through synthetic biology. They have successfully commercialized these fibers through collaborations with global fashion brands like Adidas and Stella McCartney. The innovative biomaterials market is estimated to be worth $4.5 billion in 2026 and is expected to maintain a high growth rate of over 40% annually. As carbon neutrality policies are strengthened, the demand for bio-based materials is surging, drawing attention to the growth potential of related companies.
LG Chem is the most proactive company in the Korean chemical industry in pursuing the transition to synthetic biology. Headquartered in Seoul, LG Chem recorded revenue of 1.46 trillion won in its bio-business division in 2025, accounting for 28% of its total revenue. The company is particularly prominent in the bioplastics sector, expanding its annual production capacity of PLA (polylactic acid) and PBS (polybutylene succinate) produced through microbial fermentation to 150,000 tons. LG Chem’s bioplastics can reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics, gaining high popularity in European and North American markets. As of the end of 2025, the company has signed long-term supply contracts with over 50 global consumer goods companies, including Nestlé, Unilever, and P&G.
The growth of biomanufacturing based on synthetic biology is also bringing fundamental changes to traditional supply chain structures. While chemical manufacturing previously relied on fossil fuels like crude oil or natural gas, it is now utilizing renewable biomass such as sugar, starch, and vegetable oils as raw materials, strengthening the connection between agriculture and manufacturing. This change also provides additional benefits, such as mitigating geopolitical risks and ensuring supply chain stability. For instance, biomanufacturers using Brazilian sugarcane or American corn as raw materials can establish a stable production base that is less affected by political instability in the Middle East or fluctuations in oil prices.
Innovations in Healthcare and the Development of Personalized Therapies
One of the most revolutionary changes brought about by synthetic biology is the development of personalized therapies in the healthcare sector. Traditional drug development required a long development period of 10-15 years and enormous costs of $3 billion on average, but synthetic biology is fundamentally changing this paradigm. As of 2026, the CAR-T cell therapy market has expanded to $7.8 billion, growing by 89% compared to the previous year, driven by advancements in immune cell modification and mass production technologies utilizing synthetic biology. The combination of automated cell culture systems and gene-editing technologies has reduced therapy production costs by over 60% compared to existing methods, and the manufacturing period for personalized therapies has been shortened from four weeks to ten days.
Celltrion is playing a pioneering role in the introduction of synthetic biology technology in the Korean biopharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Incheon, Celltrion achieved annual revenue of 4.12 trillion won in 2025, ranking third with a 15.7% market share in the global biosimilar market. The company has recently entered the development of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) based on synthetic biology, establishing a bioprocess capable of producing high-quality ADCs with a purity of over 99.8% compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. Notably, the trastuzumab ADC launched in the fourth quarter of 2025 demonstrated clinical excellence by improving the complete response rate by 23 percentage points in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment compared to existing therapies. Celltrion currently has a pipeline of over ten next-generation ADCs using this technology and aims to achieve annual revenue of 8 trillion won by 2027.
Another notable achievement in the application of synthetic biology in the medical field is the development of treatments for rare diseases. Previously, the development of treatments for rare diseases was often delayed due to economic infeasibility, given the small number of patients. However, synthetic biology technology is enabling cost-effective development of these treatments. For example, Moderna in the U.S. is developing treatments for ultra-rare metabolic disorders such as methylmalonic acidemia and propionic acidemia by combining mRNA technology and synthetic biology, reducing development costs by 80% compared to traditional methods while significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy. As these success stories accumulate, the global rare disease treatment market is projected to grow from $234 billion in 2025 to $420 billion by 2030.
The realization of personalized medicine is also becoming a reality thanks to synthetic biology. It is now technically possible and economically feasible to design and produce optimized therapies based on a patient’s genetic profile and disease characteristics. Takeda Pharmaceutical in Japan launched a program in 2025 to develop personalized CAR-T therapies using its synthetic biology platform, achieving a 40% improvement in survival rates compared to standard therapies in its first clinical trial. These achievements suggest that the future medical paradigm will shift from ‘one-size-fits-all treatment’ to ‘personalized treatment.’
The advancement of synthetic biology-based medical technologies is also bringing innovation to the diagnostics field. The combination of biosensor technology and synthetic biology has enabled real-time disease monitoring and early diagnosis, paving the way for a new era in preventive medicine. In the field of early cancer diagnosis, a biosensor capable of detecting the presence of cancer cells with 99.3% accuracy by analyzing circulating DNA in the blood in real-time has been developed and is entering the commercialization phase. These technological advancements provide the dual benefits of reducing medical costs and improving treatment outcomes, contributing to the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide.
As of 2026, a major challenge facing the synthetic biology industry is the establishment of regulatory environments and ensuring safety. While governments are setting safety evaluation standards for synthetic biology products, regulations are struggling to keep pace with technological advancements. The U.S. FDA announced new approval guidelines for synthetic biology products in 2025, but regulatory uncertainties still exist in many areas. This situation is affecting companies’ investment decisions and poses significant entry barriers, especially for new entrants. However, it also presents an opportunity for leading companies with established technological capabilities and safety standards to strengthen their competitive advantage.
From an investment perspective, the synthetic biology sector still holds significant growth potential but also entails considerable technological and regulatory risks. In 2025, global venture capital investment in the synthetic biology sector increased by 28% to $13.4 billion, reflecting sustained investor interest. However, the commercialization process often involves longer-than-expected development periods or delays in regulatory approvals, necessitating careful risk assessment when investing. The performance gap between companies with platform technologies and those specialized in specific applications is widening, making the selection of investment targets increasingly important. Although the growth trend of the synthetic biology industry is expected to continue over the next 5-10 years, winners and losers will be clearly distinguished based on technological maturity, regulatory environment changes, and each company’s execution capabilities.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice or solicitation. Please consult a professional before making investment decisions.
