3D Cell Culture Market expected to reach $3.72 Billion by 2027

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “3D Cell Culture Market by Product, Application, and End User: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020–2027," the global 3D cell culture market size was valued at $1.23 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $3.72 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 16.3% from 2020 to 2027.

A 3D cell culture is defined as an assembly of biological cells in in-vitro environment in a particular pattern that resembles the in-vivo conditions present inside the human body. 3D cell cultures are mainly categorized into three types namely, standard cultures, organ-on-chip models and tissue bioengineering. Owing to the benefits offered by 3D cultures over conventional methods, the use of 3D cell culture technology is recognized as an essential tool in drug discovery, toxicology testing, tissue engineering and basic research. Cell culturing in 3D allows the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and enhanced interactions with the culture environment. These characteristics play an important role in the replicating in-vivo processes such as cell adherence, differentiation and proliferation in in-vitro conditions. The implementation of these approaches for developing predictive in-vitro screening assays resembling physiological environment for preclinical drug development is facilitating the use of 3D cell cultures in research. 

The global 3D cell culture market has witnessed exponential growth in the past few years due to shifting preferences of the researchers toward the use of these cultures, especially in cancer research. The cells in these cultures grow three dimensionally with zones of oxygen & nutrient gradients and cellular heterogeneity that closely reflects in-vivo microenvironment. As a result, several cellular functional differences such as alterations in protein expressions and responsiveness to inhibitor molecules are observed when cells are grown in 3D cell cultures in comparison to 2D. Thus, these cultures provide a competitive edge over the monolayer cultured cells notably in drug discovery and development. Therefore, these factors are expected to impel the growth of the market over the forecast period. Moreover, global rise in the demand for organ transplantation owing to prevalence in lifestyle and chronic diseases is predicted to supplement the 3D cell culture market growth further. On the contrary, costs associated with implantation of 3D cell cultures in contrast to 2D and irregularity in outcomes due to lack of standardized protocols are anticipated to drag the growth of the market. However, the emergence of advanced and innovative 3D cell culture technologies in coming years is expected to fuel the market growth. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic is expected to remain moderate for pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies in the 3D cell culture industry. The prominent players in the market are facing a set-back, due to the lockdowns, which has led to a drop in the manufacturing and use of 3D cell culture among the researchers across universities & academic institutes. However, this deleterious impact is being compensated by a rapid development in stem cell therapy research and increase in R&D for developing regenerative medicines for treating COVID-19 patients.

The report segments the global 3D cell culture market based on product into scaffold-based platforms, scaffold-free platforms, gels, bioreactors, microchips, and services. Scaffold-based platforms segment dominated the 3D cell culture market in 2019, and is estimated to garner $1,257.17 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 16.9% from 2020 to 2027. This is attributed to factors such as ongoing research practices for novel drug discovery and tissue engineering for several untreated diseases. The microchips segment is expected to witness rapid growth by 2027, registering a CAGR of 19.0% from 2020 to 2027, owing to the high demand for artificial organs in drug response models and organ transplantation.

Based on application, the market is segmented into cancer research, stem cell research, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. The cancer research segment dominated the global 3D cell culture market in 2019, and is estimated to garner $1,124.74 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 15.4% from 2020 to 2027. This is attributed to rise in prevalence of cancer, which has led to development of newer therapies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Regenerative medicine segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the analysis period, at a CAGR of 17.6%, owing to increase in demand for regenerative medicine therapies that can cure many acute and chronic disorders such as, heart disease, autoimmune disease, trauma, and other neurological conditions. 

Based on end user, the market is segmented into biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies, contract research laboratories, and academic institutes. The academic institutes segment dominated the 3D cell culture market in 2019, generating $441.32 million in 2019, and is expected to garner $1,343.86 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 16.4% from 2020 to 2027. This growth is attributed to upsurge in collaborations between academic institutions and biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Several companies collaborate with laboratories for conducting basic research to eventually reduce the overall time required for the completion of the research. Contract research laboratories segment is expected to grow rapidly by 2027, registering a CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period, owing to the increased need to provide diagnostic services to biopharmaceutical companies and research laboratories for performing research activities.

Key Findings Of The Study 

• Among products, the micro-chips segment is projected to grow at the highest rate during the analysis period.
• South Africa is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.2%.
• By application, cancer research application dominated the global 3D cell culture market throughout the analysis period.
• U.S. was the largest market in 2019, and is projected to maintain its lead until 2027.
• By end user, the academic institutes segment is projected to dominate throughout 2027.

Key players profiled in this report include 3D Biotek, LLC, Advanced Biomatrix, Inc., Avantor, Inc., Becton, Dickinson, and Company, Corning Incorporated, InSphero AG, Lonza Group Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Synthecon, Incorporated, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Presently, North America and Europe are the most lucrative regions for market players, owing to factors such as rise in the prevalence of cancer, ongoing R&D practices by the prominent players in the market coupled with increase in funds and grants from the government agencies. The North American 3D cell culture market accounted for $503.82 million in 2019, and is estimated to garner $1,313.75 million by 2027, registering an estimated CAGR of 14.2% during the forecast period. The growth trend in the North American market is characterized by the maturity of the market, in terms of penetration and availability of advanced 3D cell culture products. The Asia-Pacific 3D cell culture market is expected to account for $800.16 million by 2027, registering the fastest CAGR of 18.1% during the forecast period. This is attributed to the low operating costs, rise in government investments for healthcare due to increased risk of developing the various diseases such as cancer.