Scientists across five continents have collaborated to develop a global roadmap outlining how advances in glycomics—the study of complex sugars in living systems—can drive innovation, improve health, strengthen food systems, advance environmental sustainability, and generate economic opportunities.
The Global Glyco-Roadmap: Opportunity to Action and Impact provides a shared vision for advancing glycomics worldwide over the next decade. It identifies scientific priorities, investment opportunities, and practical actions to accelerate the integration of glycomics into research, innovation, and industrial development.
Genomics and proteomics have transformed our understanding of biology, but glycomics remains an essential yet underexplored layer of biological information.
Glycans, or complex sugars, play critical roles in cell communication, immune responses, disease development, and interactions between organisms and their environment. While glycan-based innovations already contribute to vaccines, biologic medicines, diagnostics, and biomaterials, their broader potential across healthcare, agriculture, nutrition, and sustainable materials remains largely untapped.
The roadmap highlights the economic significance of glycan-enabled products and technologies, with a combined worldwide market estimated at US 475 billion in 2025 and projected to exceed US 1 trillion by 2035.
The roadmap calls on governments, funding agencies, research organizations, and industry to integrate glycomics more broadly into national research, development, and investment strategies. It outlines a coordinated approach to strengthening research capacity, aligning national and international efforts, and accelerating the translation and adoption of glycomics innovations over the next decade.