In Vivo CRO Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Rodent, Non-Rodent), By GLP Type (Non-GLP, GLP Toxicology), By Indication (Pain Management, Oncology), By Region (North America, APAC), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global in vivo CRO market size was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% over the forecast period. The rising demand for advanced drugs, implementation of international standards by CROs, and rise in outsourcing of R&D activities by major pharmaceutical companies to focus more on their core competencies are driving the market growth. Moreover, outsourcing is more beneficial than conducting the in-house study, in terms of cost. This is expected to boost the demand for in vivo CROs. The use of in vivo in COVID-19 research studies is growing significantly for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines. Also, K18-hACE2 transgenic mice were regarded as one of the best COVID-19 models.

The demand for a large number of animal models has increased rapidly across the globe to ensure the safety and efficacy of new entities before human trials. As a result, the adoption of these animal models in research facilities has boosted the market growth, closely emulating the clinical manifestation of SARS-CoV-2. Obesity is the most common cause of insulin resistance. According to a study published in 2019 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), approximately 39% of people worldwide are obese or overweight and at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is distinguished by a progressive decline in beta-cell function and insulin resistance.

Diabetes mellitus affects nearly one in every eleven adults worldwide, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). To investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of T2DM and to optimize novel drugs for human use, an animal experimental model should be chosen. T2DM animal models commonly include -cell failure and/or insulin resistance models. Despite advancements in cell-based applications, metabolic evaluation of compound effects in vivo models is critical before drugs are considered for clinical evaluation and commercialization. The increase in the use of different models in animals would spurge market growth.

Over the last two years, the pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption in research and clinical trials. In November 2021, 1,079 clinical trials supported by sponsors, collaborators, or CROs were reported to have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, oncology was the most impacted therapy area, accounting for nearly a quarter of all disrupted trials as of June 2021. The disruptions in the clinical trials would impact the in vivo studies market. However, according to a recent Outsourcing-Pharma survey, sponsors increased CRO outsourced trial spending in 2021 compared to the previous year. Most of the investments are being spent on increasing CRO support, especially technology-based solutions to expand patient reach and engagement.

Also, an increase in the M&A activities by the large- & mid-size CROs in 2021 would have a huge post-COVID-19 impact on the market growth. For instance, Sygnature Discovery was first sold to Rothschild’s private equity arm, Five Arrows Principal Investment, and then to Keensight. This demonstrates investors’ eagerness to invest in early-stage R&D CROs. Toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies are the most commonly outsourced preclinical study activities by tier 1 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The main reasons for these outsourcing activities have been highlighted as the time and cost-efficiency provided by such service providers. These activities are expected to increase over the forecast period as pharmaceutical companies increase their focus and R&D budget allocation for new product development.

CROs, particularly those in developed countries, such as the U.S., Japan, and the European Union, adhere to international quality management system standards, making them preferred destinations when compared to CROs in India and China. Governments in developing countries are enacting regulatory changes to monitor and ensure contract researchers’ compliance. As a result, increased implementation of international standards by contract researchers in developing countries is expected to boost the demand for contract research by pharmaceutical and biotech companies, contributing to the market growth.

Type Insights

The rodents segment dominated the global market in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of more than 85.00% of the global revenue. The segment is also anticipated to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The market is growing due to the improved correlation with the human system and the abundance of genetically modified species. They are the most commonly used species in medical trials. Several symptoms of human conditions can be replicated in rodents. According to the Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR), 95% of all lab animals are rodents. Among rodent-based testing animals, mice are the most commonly used.

Thus, the segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because organisms with shorter life spans and faster reproduction rates are small, inexpensive, and easy to handle. The non-rodent segment, on the other hand, is anticipated to have lucrative growth rates during the forecast period. The non-rodent-based segment comprises animals, such as rabbits, fish, sheep, dogs, pigs, cats, and other non-human primate species. Some of the most commonly used non-rodents are marmoset, cynomolgus macaque, monkey, pig, and dog. The selection of these non-rodent animal models is dependent on animal husbandry, scientific requirement, ethics, and regulatory requirements.

Indication Insights

The oncology segment accounted for the maximum revenue share of the global market of more than 28.00% in 2021. This is due to the increasing incidence of cancer cases and the increasing frequency with which major pharmaceutical companies outsource R&D activities to focus on their core competencies. The segment is further divided into indications, such as blood cancers, solid tumors, and others. The solid tumors are further segmented into different models, which include the syngeneic model, patient-derived xenograft & xenograft. The mouse has proven to be an ideal model for human cancer research due to the relatively similar physiological and genomic characteristics of tumors in humans.

Mouse RNI-like genes are more than 80% identical to human genes, and hence, mice are experimentally tractable models used to investigate responses to treatment and basic mechanisms of cancer development. The models used in cancer lead to tremendous growth in the market. Pain management is expected to be the most lucrative segment over the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of chronic conditions that cause severe pain. Furthermore, rising research for analgesic molecules and new Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) is expected to be a critical impact rendering growth driver. Pain management has been subdivided into chronic and acute pain, with the acute pain segment expected to grow at the fastest rate.

GLP Type Insights

The GLP toxicology segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 79.7% in the global market in 2021. The segment is also anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption of GLP compliance by emerging CROs and laboratories across the globe. Clinical studies, such as safety pharmacology, genotoxicity, and repeated dose toxicity, are mandatory for safe exposure to humans and must be performed as per the GLP standards. These studies are required to be conducted before the IND application. After IND approval, other GLP experiments to evaluate chronic toxicity, developmental & reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity must be carried out during the clinical phase of development. For the evaluation of safety studies, compliance with GLP standards is mandatory.

This would propel the growth of the market. The non-GLP segment also held a significant revenue share in 2021. This segment is further divided into in-house & outsourcing. A properly designed non-GLP acute toxicology study reduces the risk of failure during preclinical studies. A non-GLP toxicity testing study holds the same significant amount of conducting a literature review and implementation as a GLP study but is not established to fulfill all GLP necessities. These studies have been carried out to quality standards to verify reliable and accurate study required data to evaluate any test article/item. The study designs include a limited number of animals and endpoints, such as clinical pathology, food consumption, clinical observations, toxicokinetics, body weights, and limited histopathology.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of 49.9% of the global revenue. The presence of considerable funding in this region had a positive impact on research activities. For instance, the U.S. has the highest per capita healthcare spending & grants from government organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which encourages research activities. Approximately 47% of NIH-funded research involves animals, and the agency budgeted nearly $42 billion for research and development in 2020, including $19.6 billion for animal experiments. Furthermore, major pharmaceutical and life sciences firms involved in drug development are existent in this region.

The market in this region held profitable shares due to well-planned regulatory and funding policies. The constantly developing healthcare infrastructure and the participation of research activities by medium- and small-scale players have been identified as factors supporting this growth. High-quality services, scientific expertise, a high number of partnerships, and patent expiry are some factors encouraging these companies to opt for U.S.-based CROs. This, in turn, is expected to fuel the market growth. Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The region accesses a large treatment-naive population.

It accounts for 53% of the world’s urban population and has an annual rate of urbanization three times that of the West. These factors serve as growth drivers for clinical trials in the Asia Pacific. Increasing partnerships, investments by CROs, and a growing percentage of outsourcing in vivo services to emerging economies, such as India and China, are also some of the key factors expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period. India has a highly qualified medical population with extensive experience conducting clinical trials. Another factor influencing partnerships with in vivo CROs in India is the absence of a language barrier, which allows for partnerships with local players.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market players are adopting a variety of strategic activities, such as signing new partnership agreements, collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and geographic expansions, to strengthen their service portfolio and gain a competitive advantage. For instance, in March 2019, Charles River Laboratories entered into a licensing agreement with Crown Bioscience—a drug discovery & development services provider. The agreement was aimed at providing the company a license to breed and distribute the Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rat model. Some of the prominent players in the global in vivo CRO market include:

• Covance, Inc.

• Theorem Clinical Research

• WuXi AppTec, Inc.

• inVentiv Health

• Evotec (US), Inc.

• Charles River Laboratories

In Vivo CRO Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

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 this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global in vivo CRO market report based on GLP type, type, indication, and region:

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

  • Rodent-based

    • Rats

    • Mice

    • Others

  • Non-Rodent Based

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

  • Non-GLP

    • In House

    • Outsourcing

  • GLP Toxicology

    • In House

    • Outsourcing

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

  • Autoimmune/Inflammation Conditions

    • Rheumatoid Arthritis

    • Multiple Sclerosis

    • Osteoarthritis

    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    • Others

  • Pain Management

    • Chronic Pain

    • Acute Pain

  • Oncology

    • Blood Cancer

    • Solid Tumor

      • Syngeneic Model

      • Patient-derived Xenograft

      • Xenograft

    • Others

  • CNS Conditions

    • Epilepsy

    • Parkinson’s Disease

    • Huntington’s Disease

    • Stroke

    • Traumatic Brain Injury

    • ALS

    • Muscle Regeneration

    • Others

  • Diabetes

  • Obesity

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Colombia

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE