Top 10 Companies in the Protein-free CHO Media Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Biopharmaceutical Production

In Business Insights
August 09, 2025

The Global Protein-free CHO Media Market was valued at USD 372.8 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 682.5 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is driven by increasing monoclonal antibody production, rising biopharmaceutical R&D investments, and the pharmaceutical industry’s shift toward chemically-defined media formulations.

As biomanufacturing processes become more sophisticated and regulatory requirements tighten, protein-free CHO media has become essential for producing high-quality biologics at scale. In this analysis, we examine the Top 10 Companies in the Protein-free CHO Media Industry—pioneers who are setting new standards in cell culture technology and bioproduction efficiency.


🔟 1. Lonza Group AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: PowerCHO™ Media Systems

Lonza leads the protein-free CHO media market with its advanced PowerCHO platform, optimized for both fed-batch and perfusion culture processes. Their proprietary formulations demonstrate superior performance in high-density cell cultures while maintaining strict animal-component-free standards.

Technology Highlights:

  • Automated media optimization platform for customized formulations
  • Specialized feeds for enhanced protein expression
  • Global GMP manufacturing footprint

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/270149/global-proteinfree-cho-media-forecast-market-2024-2030-71


9️⃣ 2. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Gibco™ CHO Media Systems

Thermo Fisher’s comprehensive CHO media portfolio includes industry-standard formulations like CD CHO and Dynamis, supporting bioproduction from research to commercial scale. Their media systems are known for exceptional batch-to-batch consistency and regulatory compliance.

Technology Highlights:

  • Trace element formulations for optimized cell growth
  • Custom media development services
  • Integrated global support network

8️⃣ 3. Corning Incorporated

Headquarters: Corning, New York, USA
Key Offering: Corning® CHO Media Platforms

Corning provides specialized protein-free media formulations optimized for their advanced cell culture vessels and bioreactor systems. Their media demonstrate excellent performance in high-density suspension cultures while maintaining compatibility with single-use technologies.

Technology Highlights:

  • Formulations for intensified bioprocessing
  • Integrated process development services

7️⃣ 4. Cytiva

Headquarters: Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: HyCell™ CHO Media

Cytiva’s HyCell CHO media platform delivers demonstrated productivity gains of 20-30% compared to conventional formulations. Their solutions are particularly effective for monoclonal antibody production and viral vector manufacturing applications.

Technology Highlights:

  • Enhanced nutrient profiles for extended viability
  • Designed for both perfusion and fed-batch processes

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/270149/global-proteinfree-cho-media-forecast-market-2024-2030-71


6️⃣ 5. Sartorius AG

Headquarters: Göttingen, Germany
Key Offering: Sartorius Cell Culture Media Systems

Sartorius offers fully integrated protein-free media solutions that combine seamlessly with their bioreactor systems and process analytics. Their formulations demonstrate exceptional stability in continuous bioprocessing applications.

Technology Highlights:

  • Patented nutrient delivery technologies
  • Media optimized for PAT integration

5️⃣ 6. Merck KGaA

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: EX-CELL® CHO Media

Merck’s EX-CELL platform provides protein-free formulations achieving productivity up to 5 g/L in fed-batch processes. Their media are widely adopted in commercial mAb production across major biopharmaceutical markets.

Technology Highlights:

  • Specialized formulations for difficult-to-express proteins
  • Integrated with purification technologies

4️⃣ 7. FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific

Headquarters: Santa Ana, California, USA
Key Offering: IS CHO Media Systems

Fujifilm provides high-performance, animal component-free CHO media with industry-leading lot-to-lot consistency. Their formulations are particularly effective for maintaining high cell viability in extended culture periods.

Technology Highlights:

  • Optimized osmolality and pH stability
  • Custom formulation development services

3️⃣ 8. OPM Biosciences

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, USA
Key Offering: OPM™ CHO Media Systems

OPM specializes in high-density media formulations enabling intensified bioprocessing. Their protein-free CHO media demonstrate excellent performance in perfusion systems and high-seeding density applications.

Technology Highlights:

  • Proprietary nutrient delivery technology
  • Formulations supporting 10+ g/L productivity

2️⃣ 9. Takara Bio

Headquarters: Kusatsu, Japan
Key Offering: BalanCD CHO Media

Takara’s BalanCD platform offers protein-free formulations specifically optimized for Asian cell lines. Their media demonstrate excellent performance in serum-free suspension cultures for regional biomanufacturers.

Technology Highlights:

  • Asia-Pacific regional manufacturing
  • Specialized formulations for antibody fragments

1️⃣ 10. R&D Systems (Bio-Techne)

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: TCHETM CHO Media

Bio-Techne’s TCHE platform provides cost-effective, protein-free media solutions for both research-scale and clinical manufacturing applications. Their formulations support a wide range of CHO cell lines and expression systems.

Technology Highlights:

  • Simplified formulations for easier scale-up
  • Compatibility with CHO-S and CHO-K1 cell lines

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/270149/global-proteinfree-cho-media-forecast-market-2024-2030-71


🔬 Outlook: The Future of Protein-free CHO Media

The protein-free CHO media sector is undergoing significant innovation as biomanufacturers seek higher productivity, greater consistency, and more specialized formulations to meet evolving therapeutic demands.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • Development of next-generation formulations for advanced cell lines
  • Integration with continuous bioprocessing platforms
  • Growing demand for customized media solutions
  • Expansion of regional manufacturing capabilities

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/270149/global-proteinfree-cho-media-forecast-market-2024-2030-71

The companies profiled above are driving innovation in biopharmaceutical production, providing essential solutions that enable the development of life-changing therapies with greater efficiency and consistency.