Nanozymes are laboratory-produced and manufactured nanomaterials with enzyme-like properties. Nanozymes, unlike enzymes, which are produced by living organisms or chemically synthesized at significant cost and complexity, offer increased stability, lower production costs and simpler synthesis processes.111 Composed of nanoparticles of metals, metal oxides, carbon and other materials, nanozymes act like catalysts and promote the same chemical reactions enzymes support.112 Their robust nature allows them to function in far more diverse environments, expanding their potential applications in biomedical, environmental and industrial fields. Using advanced nanoscale design and production techniques, it is also possible to engineer multifunctional nanozymes. Rapid advancements in nanozyme technology in the last two decades have garnered significant attention from major pharmaceutical companies, resulting in a surge of investment in nanozyme research and development. This increased funding has accelerated the pace of innovation and expanded the potential applications of nanozymes across various medical fields. Therefore, numerous clinical trials for nanozyme-based therapies are currently in progress, with particularly promising results emerging in the areas of cancer and neurodegenerative disease treatment.113 In cancer treatment, nanozymes have shown potential for targeted drug delivery, enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy while reducing side effects. For neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, nanozymes are being explored for their ability to mitigate oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the brain, potentially slowing disease progression. The versatility of nanozymes has also led to investigations in other medical areas, including cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases and wound healing. Several companies and start-ups are actively working towards the commercialization of nanozymes. Level Nine is developing nanozymes for use in industrial biomanufacturing.114 Nanozyme, Inc., a University of Florida spin-out, is developing synthetic nanomachines programmed to enter only targeted diseased cells, with the goal of enabling targeted disease treatment with fewer side effects.115 Though a work in progress, barring unanticipated challenges, such programmes are hoped to mature into commercial applications in the coming years. The impact of nanozymes extends well beyond healthcare to environmental applications, including water purification, potentially offering sustainable solutions to a critical global challenge. In the food industry, they could enhance food safety through the rapid detection of contaminants in on-shelf packaged meats and other consumables.116 In industrial catalysis, nanozymes may offer more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional catalysts, potentially reducing energy consumption and waste materials.117 The global nanozyme market, valued at $5.13 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4% to reach $57.95 billion by 2034.118 Key applications include biosensing, environmental remediation and targeted drug delivery. Nanozymes promise to revolutionize diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in areas such as early disease detection and targeted drug delivery. This convergence of nanotechnology and enzyme mimicry has the potential to drive innovation across multiple sectors, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life. As with all emergent technologies, nanozymes face several challenges. Technical hurdles include improving their selectivity and catalytic efficiency to match or exceed natural enzymes. Ethical considerations arise from their potential use in biological systems, requiring thorough safety evaluations. Finally, the regulatory framework for nanozyme-based products is still evolving, which could impact their commercialization and widespread adoption.Javier Garcia-Martinez Professor, Director of the Molecular Nanotechnology Lab, University of AlicanteAndrew Maynard Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University Boxed Icons Establish biocompatibility testing frameworks – Create standardized protocols for assessing the safety and biological interaction of nanozymes across different application environments to address ethical concerns.Ecosystem readiness map KEY ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE SCALE TechnologicalSocial EconomicEnvironmentalPolicy Image: Nanozymes are synthetic enzyme-like nanomaterials offering stable, low-cost and versatile solutions across medicine and industry. Credit: Midjourney and Studio Miko. Prompt (abbreviated): “Clusters of matte circles, varying in sizes.” Read more: For more expert analysis, visit the nanozymes transformation map. Authored by: Sanjay Singh. Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 31