Cell Culture Media Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Serum-free Media, Classical Media), By Type (Liquid Media, Semi-solid And Solid Media), By Application, By End-user, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global cell culture media market size was valued at USD 4,075 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.23% from 2023 to 2030. Cell culture media is generally a gel or liquid including compounds required to regulate and support the growth of cells or microorganisms used in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Culture media is a critical ingredient in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, aiding the growth of cells, and is the fastest-growing segment within the cell culture market. The fast growth is mainly driven by the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals, favorable governmental policies, and increasing investment in R&D. 

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has improved the demand for well-established cell-based vaccine production technologies. Moreover, it has given rise to a few scientific innovations, particularly in the production and testing of vaccine technology. For instance, the Vero cell line originated from the African green monkey kidney and has been extensively used for viral vaccine manufacturing. It has also been used for the development of various SARS-CoV variants. ProVeroTM1 Serum-free Medium manufactured by Lonza Bioscience is a protein-free medium, of non-animal origin designed to support the growth of Vero cells and MDCK.

Furthermore, cell culture produced AAV vectors have also gained thrust as one of the most effective protein and gene delivery tools in vaccine manufacturing as well as gene therapy. Additionally, key market players are expanding its production capabilities. For instance, in 2021, Sartorius increased its production in all regions due to elevated demand in its core business and to additional customer needs related to COVID-19 therapeutics and COVID-19 vaccines.

The biosimilars market is on the cusp of momentous growth. This growth in large part is due to the several mAb biosimilars that are anticipated to be launched in the few years as the patents on significant drugs, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin from Roche), infliximab (Remicade from J&J), and Adalimumab (Humira from Abbott), are going to expire. Furthermore, the expansion of clear, regulatory approval paths for biosimilars in emerging markets is generating more opportunities for biosimilar monoclonal antibodies.

Moreover, the reduction of manufacturing costs has become one of the most significant technological advantages for a biosimilar manufacturer. Therefore, the capability to imitate the biologically active molecule at the lowermost possible cost via cell culture has become important for efficient biosimilar development. In the last few years, stem cell therapy has become an advanced and promising scientific research area. The development of treatment methods has induced great opportunities. Moreover, there is growing interest in improving the stem cell culture, because this technology is being used extensively in research for studying the stem cell biology, as well as for therapeutic applications. In addition, funding related to this research filed has augmented in recent years which has further accelerated the growth of research.

Additionally, the FDA’s approval of cell-based Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) for use in cell-based influenza vaccines could advance the efficiency of cell-based flu vaccines. Cell culture technology has been used to develop other U.S.-licensed vaccines, comprising vaccines for smallpox, rotavirus, rubella, hepatitis chickenpox, and polio. Furthermore, for the 2021-2022 influenza season, all 4 flu viruses used in the cell-based vaccine are cell-derived. For instance, in October 2021, Seqirus received U.S. FDA approval for FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT, the first and only cell-based influenza vaccine in the U.S.

Product Insights

The serum free media segment held the highest share of 35.9% of the market in 2022. The use of SFM signifies a significant tool, which allows the researchers to perform specific application or grow a specific cell type without using serum. Advantages of using SFM include increased growth and/or productivity, more consistent performance, better control over physiological sensitivity, and to diminish the risk of infection by serum-borne adventitious agents in the culture. In addition, serum-free alternatives better serve the animal welfare which is the major factor driving the adoption of SFM.

In addition, the field of gene and cell therapy is rapidly growing, and the Food and Drug Administration regulatory guidelines are demanding more control of raw materials to sustain the reliable and safe manufacturing of drug products. The use of SFM offers an opportunity to produce additional reproducible formulations and fewer batch-to-batch variability.

Application Insights

The biopharmaceutical production segment dominated the market with a share of 43.11% in 2022. The biopharmaceutical industry’s demand for more reproducible and better-defined media to meet the expanding production levels while reducing the risk of contamination in the downstream processes is significantly increasing the demand for this market.

Moreover, strategic activities by key biopharmaceutical companies also drive the segment growth. For instance, in July 2021 Cytiva and Pall Corporation invested USD 1.5 billion for over two years to meet the rising demand for biotechnology solutions. The two companies plan to invest USD 400+ million for culture media in powder or liquid along with expanding its operations in the U.S., Austria, and U.K.

Type Insights

The liquid media segment captured the highest revenue share of 62.6% in 2022. An increasing number of biologics and biosimilars manufacturers, both downstream and upstream, are switching from premixed powders to liquid media owing to the factors such as rapid mycobacterial growth and high rate of isolation. Moreover, it eradicates a few process steps, and also reduces the probability of hazardous exposure, and makes manufacturing and development more flexible and simpler than powdered media. In addition, ready-to-use liquid media also eliminates the need for mixing containers, balances, and installation of water for injection (WFI) loop which is needed for mixing powder media.

The segment is also being driven by the strategic activities of the manufacturers, for instance, in June 2021, Sartorius, opened its new site in Israel, which focuses on customized and specialty cell culture mainly for the advanced therapies market. This site will serve as a significant production site for buffers and liquid cell culture.

End-user Insights

The pharma and biopharma companies segment captured the highest revenue share of 34.2% in 2022. The expansion of the current manufacturing capacities for biopharmaceuticals drives the demand for cell culture products. For instance, in September 2020, Cytiva, announced the expansion of its manufacturing capacity and hiring personnel in significant areas to support the growth of the biotechnology industry. The company has planned investment of around USD 500 million for five years to increase the manufacturing capacity.

In addition, increasing clinical trials will further offer lucrative opportunities in the review period. For instance, in 2021, the number of industry-sponsored trials in progress for regenerative medicine augmented by 100 as compared to 2020, bringing the total to 1,320. There were 1,328 regenerative medicine trials in progress worldwide supported by non-industry groups such as government entities and academic centers.        

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 37.96% in 2022. This major share can be attributed to the growth in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, mounting approvals for cell culture-based vaccines, and rising incidence of diseases such as cancer coupled with investments and funding in cell-based research.

The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region with 14.80% CAGR during 2023-2030 owing to the increase in awareness associated with the use of the cell culture technique. Furthermore, strategic activities by key players to expand their presence in the Asia Pacific countries to capture high market share is expected to offer lucrative opportunities. For instance, In December 2021, Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, Inc., in China started the construction to build its new bioprocessing center, with the aim to ensure cell culture media optimization support for biotherapeutic drug development, vaccines, and advanced therapies.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players in this industry are implementing various strategies including partnerships through mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and strategic collaborations to expand their market presence. For instance, in July 2021, Sartorius, through its subsidiary Sartorius Stedim Biotech, acquired the cell culture expert Xell AG. The company develops, produces, and markets feed supplements and media for cell cultures, particularly for the manufacturing of viral vectors that are used in vaccines and gene therapeutics. Some of the prominent players in the global cell culture media market include:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• Merck KGaA

• CYTIVA

• Sartorius AG

• FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.

• Lonza Group AG

• InvivoGen 

• STEMCELL Technologies Inc.

• PromoCell GmbH

• Cell Biologics, Inc.

Cell Culture Media Market Report Scope

Global Cell Culture Media Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this report, Grand View Research has segmented the cell culture media market report on the basis of product, application, type, end-user, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Serum-free Media

    • CHO Media

    • BHK Medium    

    • Vero Medium   

    • HEK 293 Media   

    • Other Serum-free media

  • Classical Media

  • Stem Cell Culture Media

  • Specialty Media

  • Chemically Defined Media

  • Other Cell Culture Media

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Biopharmaceutical Production

    •  Monoclonal Antibodies

    •  Vaccines Production

    •  Other Therapeutic Proteins

  • Diagnostics

  • Drug Screening And Development

  • Tissue Engineering And Regenerative Medicine

    • Cell And Gene Therapy

    • Other Tissue Engineering And Regenerative Medicine Applications

  • Other Applications

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Liquid Media

  • Semi-solid And Solid Media

• End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Pharmaceutical And Biotechnology Companies

  • Hospitals And Diagnostic Laboratories

  • Research And Academic Institutes

  • Other End-users

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait