The Rise of Biologics: From Early Milestones to Major Breakthroughs

The Role of Bioengineering in Medical Progress

Bioengineering began to take shape in the mid-20th century. The introduction of human recombinant insulin as the first bioengineered drug in 1982 revolutionized diabetes care, offering a safer, more effective treatment to patients worldwide.

Monoclonal antibodies, introduced in 1986, brought a new level of precision to the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. These targeted therapies were now able to precisely identify and attack cancer cells or immune system components, reducing the harmful side effects of traditional treatments like chemotherapy and significantly improving patient outcomes.

The Next Frontier: Cell and Gene Therapies

Cell and gene therapies are among the most promising medical innovations, representing the next frontier in personalized medicine.

In 2017, the first CAR-T cell therapies received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They involve genetically modifying a patient's immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells, offering potentially curative treatments for certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. As of 2024, a total of eight CAR-T cell therapies have received approval by the FDA.

In 2020, the world witnessed the potential of mRNA technologies. By directing cells to produce specific proteins, mRNA vaccines played a pivotal role in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

Gene therapies and gene editing tools allow precise modifications of DNA, enabling the correction of genetic mutations and the development of new treatments for previously untreatable conditions. Among them are CRISPR-based therapies that reached the market in 2023.

These so-called new modalities represent the evolutionary leap in biopharma research and production, both for our customers and for us.

Sartorius Is Part of the Solution

For over 150 years, Sartorius’ innovative tools have empowered researchers to make groundbreaking discoveries in both traditional medicine and biopharmaceutical development.

Today, early bioengineered therapies are well-established, accounting for around 39 percent of the global pharmaceutical market. To ensure these life-changing medications reach more people, development and production processes must become faster and more efficient. 

Sartorius offers comprehensive solutions across the entire biopharmaceutical value chain, helping customers enhance efficiency in drug development and streamline production.

Medical Progress Demands for New Technologies

In addition to established tools, Sartorius today also offers unique raw materials, tools, and technologies for the development and manufacture of cell and gene therapies.

Accelerating the availability of such treatments is one of the most anticipated advancements for millions of patients.

However, the costs remain prohibitively high, ranging from 300,000 euros for blood cancer therapies to as much as 3.5 million US dollars for hemophilia treatments.

Our customers are working tirelessly to bring these therapies to market – and we are at their side to do so more efficiently, and sustainably.