In Vitro Lung Model Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (2D Model, 3D Model), By Application (Physiological Research, 3D Model Development), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

In Vitro Lung Model Market Size & Trends

The global in vitro lung model market size was estimated at USD 310.8 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2024 to 2030. The rising prevalence of respiratory diseases and the advancement of substitute models to replace animal testing are the major factors that drive the overall market growth. Respiratory diseases can range from mild to severe and life-threatening conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer. The number of cases has significantly increased over the past few years. For instance, as per a CDC report in 2021, about 142,342 deaths were reported through COPD including asthma.

Due to the rising incidence of respiratory diseases, there is a growing demand to comprehend the mechanisms behind these conditions and develop potential treatments, consequently fueling the expansion of in vitro lung models. In vitro lung models can be designed to mimic specific aspects of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD, or lung cancer, this helps researchers study the cellular and molecular processes involved in these diseases, helping uncover underlying causes and potential targets for therapeutic interventions. For instance, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) report published in 2020, to investigate the aspects of lung development, physiology, pathology, and toxicology, in vitro respiratory models were employed.

Furthermore, the advancement of substitute models to replace animal testing has been a significant driver in adopting and developing in vitro lung models. Over recent years, animal testing has come under substantial criticism primarily because of ethical concerns related to the use of live animals for experiments. In vitro lung models provide a more humane and ethically acceptable alternative, as they do not involve the use of animals. This aligns with the trend toward eliminating animal testing in research, which contributes to the increasing adoption of in vitro lung models. The expansion of cell culture technology contributes significantly to overall market growth.

This technology enables researchers to create more intricate and physiologically relevant in vitro models of the lung. As a result, there is a notable surge in the utilization of these in vitro lung models across a spectrum of applications, ranging from drug development to respiratory disease research and toxicology studies. Moreover, ongoing advancements in cell culture techniques empower researchers to cultivate and sustain pulmonary cells with increased effectiveness.

Moreover, cell culture technologies not only facilitate the development of 3D cell culture systems that more accurately replicate the structure and function of the lung but also enable the generation of pulmonary cells using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for modeling lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. This improved physiological relevance enhances the reliability of this model for studying respiratory diseases.

Market Characteristics

There is a notable trend toward developing more sophisticated models through the integration of microfluidic systems and 3D cell cultures. These innovative systems enable a more accurate replication of the physiological environment of the lung, encompassing factors, such as airflow, cell interactions, and tissue architecture

Several market players, such as Epithelix, MATTEK, Lonza, Emulate, AlveoliX AG, Nortis, CN Bio Innovations Ltd, ATCC, MICA Information Systems, Inc., TissUse GmbH, undertake strategies including M&A to gain higher market share

In vitro lung models used in drug testing must meet regulatory requirements to be accepted for regulatory submissions. Models that accurately simulate human lung physiology and pathology are crucial for predicting drug responses accurately. Regulatory approval for using these models can impact the speed and success of drug development

Product expansions involve the introduction and diversification of new and improved offerings, such as advanced cell culture systems, microfluidic devices, and 3D cell culture models, to meet evolving research needs and enhance the physiological relevance of in vitro lung models

Market players are involved in strategic efforts to broaden their presence and operations into new geographic areas, with an aim to diverse market share within different regions

Type Insights

2D model types segment dominated the market with a revenue share of over 61.5% in 2023 due to their convenience, efficiency, and comprehensive nature. 2D models have been relatively simple to set up and maintain, making them accessible to a wide range of researchers, which helps in understanding tissue engineering or complex culture systems. Furthermore, 2D cultures are well-suited for high throughput screening, allowing researchers to test a large number of compounds or conditions in a relatively short time. Thus, high throughput screening plays a pivotal role in the dominance of this segment.

The 3D model segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030 owing to its ability to mimic the 3D structure of lungs, including complex interactions between different cell types, the extracellular matrix, and the spatial distribution of cells. Moreover, 3D models allow researchers to recreate the in vitro microenvironment of the lung to a greater extent than 2D models, thus with such advantages over 2D models, the 3D model is expected to witness a lucrative growth in the coming years.

Application Insights

Drug discovery and toxicology studies segment dominated the global market in 2023. In vitro lung models provide a highly controlled and efficient platform for drug screening, which helps pharmaceutical companies and researchers to develop potential drugs to tackle the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases. Moreover, the growing ethical and regulatory push to reduce and replace animal testing further drives the importance of in vitro models in drug development and toxicology studies.

The 3D model development segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030. 3D model provides a more accurate representation of the three-dimensional architecture and complexity of the human lung compared to 2D models. This increased physiological relevance, which is crucial for understanding lung biology and disease mechanisms, makes them a reliable model to study complex lung structures. Thus, with such parameters the demand for 3D models has increased, contributing to segment growth.

End-use Insights

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies end-use segment dominated the market in 2023 due to their critical role in drug development and research. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies rely on in vitro lung models to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs, since they are crucial tools for screening potential drug candidates. Moreover, the high throughput screening capability of in vitro lung models assists pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in efficiently evaluating numerous potential drugs within a short timeframe further driving the segment dominance.

On the other hand, the academic and research institutes segment is projected to exhibit the fastest growth from 2024 to 2030 due to its pivotal role in advancing scientific understanding and developing novel therapies for respiratory diseases. Moreover, academic institutions use in vitro lung models for teaching and training purposes, to educate the next generation of scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Thus, teaching and training further drive the adoption of in vitro lung models in academic settings.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market with largest market share of 44.29% in 2023. Increasing research onlung disorders is likely to create growth opportunities for the market within the region. For instance, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) GLOBOCAN, the region reported 254,000 cases of lung cancer in 2020 and is estimated to increase the number by 352,000 till 2040. Thus, such a high number of lung cancers in the region boosts the overall market growth.

Moreover, the presence of a significant number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic research institutions further drives the regional market growth. Asia Pacific is expected to register lucrative growth from 2024 to 2030 due to the development of healthcare as well as R&D infrastructure, increased investment in R&D in the region, and improvement in the regulatory framework in developing economies, such as Australia and India among others.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Epithelix, MATTEK, Lonza, Emulate, AlveoliX AG, Nortis, and CN Bio Innovations Ltd. are some of the dominant players operating in in vitro lung model market.

• Lonza has a global presence and operates from over 30 locations on 5 continents

• Epithelix operates specifically in the tissue engineering sector and operates in the US, Europe, and Asia

• AlveoliX AG is a Swiss biotech company that specializes in creating advanced models of the human lung

Recent Developments

• In November 2023, ImmuONE raised USD 2.48 million to develop a lung model as an alternative to the use of animals for drug testing. This is expected to increase the company’s customer base

• In September 2021, the industry witnessed BICO subsidiaries CELLINK, MatTek, and Visikol announcing a collaborative initiative aimed at establishing a contract research organization (CRO) with extensive bioprinting services. This joint effort combines the expertise of the three companies, enabling them to provide customers with comprehensive offerings. Through this collaboration, CELLINK, MatTek, and Visikol extend access to a wide array of services from all three entities to their clientele

• In December 2021, Lonza Group AG and Agilent Technologies announced a strategic collaboration aimed at integrating innovative analytical technologies with Lonza’s Cocoon Platform. This partnership seeks to advance the incorporation of existing and novel analytical methods into the manufacturing workflows of patient-scale cell therapies using the Cocoon Platform. By joining forces, these companies move forward in their dedication to creating sustainable technologies and solutions that enhance the availability of crucial cell-based therapies for diverse lung diseases

In Vitro Lung Model Market Report Scope

Global In Vitro Lung Model Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the in vitro lung model market report based on type, application, end-use, and region:

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

  • 2D Model

  • 3D Model

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

  • Drug Discovery & Toxicology Studies

  • Physiological Research

  • 3D Model Development

  • Others

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

  • Academic Research Institutes

  • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait