In the diverse world of viral delivery, Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has claimed a dominant position in 2026, capturing over 70% of the market share for in-vivo gene therapies. This popularity is due to its exceptional safety profile and its ability to deliver genetic cargo to specific organs like the heart, liver, or brain with surgical precision. As more AAV-based treatments receive regulatory approval, the manufacturing world is laser-focused on creating specialized, high-capacity platforms dedicated solely to this vector type.

Market analysis for the Viral Vector Manufacturing Market indicates that AAV-specific manufacturing is the primary driver of new infrastructure investment. To meet the demand, researchers are engineering "designer capsids"—the outer shell of the virus—to be more durable and easier to purify. These advancements are helping to solve the "empty capsid" problem, where a large percentage of produced vectors don't actually contain the therapeutic gene, thereby increasing the potency of every dose and lowering the risk of an immune response.

However, the industry is also preparing for a surge in "Oncolytic viruses," which are engineered to target and kill cancer cells directly. This diversify of the pipeline means that while AAV is the current king, the factories of 2026 must remain adaptable. By building facilities that can easily switch between different viral modalities, global manufacturers are ensuring they are ready for the next breakthrough, whether it's a cure for a rare genetic disorder or a revolutionary new treatment for solid tumors.

• What is an "AAV capsid"? It is the protective protein shell that carries the therapeutic gene; think of it as the "envelope" that delivers the "letter" to the right address in your body.

• What are oncolytic viruses? These are a special class of viruses designed to infect and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Do you think we will eventually have a "universal vector" that can treat any genetic condition

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