Cell-based assays are widely used in drug discovery and development to understand disease pathology and evaluate drug candidates. The use of cell-based assays help determine the action of chemicals, proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules on living cells and tissues. These assays analyze cellular activities like cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, signal transduction pathways, and cell death among others.
The global cell-based assay market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1389.5 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
Cell-based assays offer several advantages over conventional drug screening methods. These assays can closely mimic in vivo conditions and provide physiologically relevant data to determine drug toxicity and efficacy. They help reduce reliance on animal models and ensure human relevance of data in early drug development stages. Cell-based assays allow high-throughput screening of large compound libraries to identify potential drug candidates in a cost-effective manner. The growing R&D investments in drug discovery and rising focus on personalized medicine are fueling the demand for cell-based assays.
Key Takeaways
Key players
Key players operating in the cell-based assay market are DiscoverX Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, cell Signaling Technology, Inc., Becton, Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Cisbio Bioassays, Merck & Co., and PerkinElmer, Inc. and others.
Key opportunities
Increasing adoption of high-content screening techniques, expanding applications in vaccine development and anticancer research, and growing stem cell-based research present key growth opportunities in the market.
Global expansion
The presence of local manufacturers especially in Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa and easy access to skilled labor and raw materials at lower costs compared to developed economies are supporting the expansion of global cell-based assay market.
Market drivers
Rising drug discovery and development R&D activities across pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies is a major growth driver for the cell-based assay market. Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on developing novel drug entities to treat complex diseases and this is fueling demand for cell-based assays for screening large compound libraries, toxicity analysis, and disease pathway analysis. Additionally, increasing government spending on healthcare and biomedical research is also driving the market growth.
PEST Analysis
Political: Changes in regulations for biotechnology and healthcare might impact the research and development of novel assays. Requirements for testing new drug candidates could also influence demand.
Economic: Growth in the biopharmaceutical industry and funding for life science research drives investment in cell-based assays for drug discovery and toxicity testing. Economic downturns may temporarily reduce research budgets.
Social: Developing alternatives to animal testing addresses ethical concerns and social priorities around humane research practices. Healthcare needs and aging populations represent major societal drivers for new therapies.
Technological: Automation, high-throughput screening, and multiplexing technologies enable analysis of large compound libraries against multiple targets simultaneously. Advances in cell biology and transfection methods expand the applications of cell-based assays.
North America holds the largest share of the cell-based assay market currently, led by the United States. This is due to heavy investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D from both private industry and governments. The presence of major biopharma companies and contract research organisations support extensive drug discovery and preclinical work using cell-based screening approaches.
The Asia Pacific region has seen rapid growth and is forecasted to be the fastest expanding market for cell-based assays. This is driven by increasing government funding for life science research, a growing biotech industry, and multinational pharmaceutical companies establishing new operations and partnerships in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. A large, educated talent pool and lower operating costs are helping to grow research capabilities and drive demand for cell-based assays throughout Asia.
