Long Read Sequencing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Technology (Nanopore Sequencing), By Workflow, By Application, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Long Read Sequencing Market Trends

The global long read sequencing market size was estimated at USD 538.9 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.12% from 2025 to 2030. The major factors driving the market growth include the rising prevalence of genetic diseases, such as cancers as well as chromosomal disorders, the rising popularity of personalized medicine, and rising technological advancements resulting in the emergence of newer technologies, such as third-generation sequencing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled the demand for advanced sequencing techniques for use in diagnostics and drug discovery research. In addition, long read sequencing can potentially be used to produce high-quality genome assemblies, and for the detection of clinically relevant genome components that cannot be observed using conventional methods. These advantages led to increased adoption of Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) sequencing and Nanopore techniques for various applications. The long read technique is primarily utilized to investigate genetic disorders where the disease locus is either well-known or strongly suspected.

Long read sequencing (LSR) methods have the ability to get around some of the drawbacks that come with clinical disease investigations based on next-generation sequencing. LSR techniques provide a particular advantage over alternatives due to the utilization of longer reads that come from a single DNA molecule. Real-time sequencing reduces the requirement for batch sampling, resulting in a sequencing run that is less expensive. As a result, the method is useful for the examination of fresh-frozen or fresh samples as well as those that must be examined quickly.

Since LRS has many advantages over conventional sequencing techniques, it is increasingly being used in a variety of applications. Examples include the inability of techniques such as short read sequencing to identify structural variants, discriminate highly homologous genomic areas, sequence repetitive sections, or phase alleles. Such short read limitations widen the diagnostic gap in patients with genetic diseases.

LRS, on the other hand, has the potential to be utilized to create high-quality genome assemblies and to find therapeutically significant genomic components that are difficult to see with traditional techniques. In addition, it is projected that advancements in long read sequencing will have favorable effects on the market growth in clinical sequencing and analysis. For instance, the method can quickly identify huge variations and complicated structural features that may be related to a variety of clinical problems and rare diseases. In addition, chromosomal rearrangements and gene fusion events, which are often observed in a number of cancer types, can be easily diagnosed by long read sequencing.

Increasing investment flow by key players in the production of advanced & effective equipment is anticipated to spur market growth throughout the forecasted timeframe. For instance, in January 2022, Illumina Inc. signed a multi-year agreement with Nashville Biosciences for the development of medicines based on large-scale genomic technologies. The company has also collaborated with the German pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim to develop companion diagnostics. Such initiatives by companies are expected to foster the market growth in the coming years.

Increasing Applications in Clinical Sequencing And Analysis

Traditional short-read sequencing methods often struggle to resolve structural variations, complex gene rearrangements, and repeat-rich regions of the genome that are crucial in clinical settings. Long read sequencing technologies, offered by companies such as Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies, allow for more accurate and comprehensive genome assemblies, making them particularly valuable for identifying pathogenic variants that are difficult to detect otherwise. As precision medicine continues to expand, clinicians are increasingly turning to these advanced sequencing tools to improve diagnostic accuracy and tailor treatments to individual patients.

The adoption of long read sequencing in oncology and inherited disease diagnostics is another major contributor to market growth. For instance, PacBio’s HiFi sequencing has been used in several studies to uncover previously undetected mutations in cancer genomes, leading to new insights into tumor biology and therapeutic targets. Similarly, Oxford Nanopore's real-time sequencing platforms are being employed in clinical research for monitoring cancer progression and detecting minimal residual disease. These technologies also support full-length transcriptome sequencing, which is critical for identifying gene fusion events and alternative splicing patterns associated with specific disease phenotypes. Such capabilities are increasingly essential in clinical settings where detailed molecular insights are needed to guide decisions.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The long read sequencing industry is characterized by a high degree of innovation, driven by ongoing technological advancements. Companies such as Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore continuously invest in enhancing sequencing accuracy, throughput, and real-time data analysis. Innovations such as ultra-long reads, improved base-calling algorithms, and real-time epigenetic modifications detection are redefining the boundaries of genomics research and clinical applications.

Collaboration is a key driver in this industry, with academic institutions, biotech firms, and healthcare providers forming strategic alliances to advance research and broaden technology adoption. Partnerships for co-developing platforms, data analysis tools, and expanding sequencing-as-a-service models are common. Public-private partnerships and government-funded genomics initiatives also enhance collaboration, fostering faster market penetration and validation.

Regulatory frameworks significantly influence the pace of commercialization and clinical use of long read sequencing technologies. In regions such as the U.S. and Europe, stringent regulations ensure data accuracy and patient safety, particularly for clinical applications. While these regulations can slow down time-to-market, they also increase end-user trust. Emerging markets are gradually aligning with international standards, improving long read sequencing industry entry prospects.

Companies in this space are rapidly diversifying their offerings beyond hardware to include integrated solutions-ranging from library prep kits and cloud-based bioinformatics tools to sequencing services tailored for oncology, infectious disease, and rare genetic disorders. This broadening of portfolios allows firms to serve a wider range of applications and customer needs, contributing to long read sequencing industry scalability.

With increasing demand for genomic technologies globally, major players are expanding their footprints into emerging markets across Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. Regional offices, distributor partnerships, and localized support services are being established to address region-specific needs and regulatory requirements. This trend is helping global players increase market share while promoting the adoption of long read sequencing in underpenetrated regions.

Product Insights

In 2024, the consumables segment held the largest market share of 62.17%. End users that perform genome sequencing must purchase consumables on a frequent basis because they are consumed over several sequence runs. Consumables such as assay kits, reagents, etc. have a wide range of applications in sequencing procedures which drives the market. In addition, increasing availability of high-quality reagents from companies such as PacBio and Oxford Nanopore are expected to boost the long read sequencing industry growth.

The services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 24.34% from 2025 to 2030 as sequencing services have a variety of applications in cancer research, human genomics, epigenetics, and transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, to ensure that high-quality service is provided through their platforms, major firms such as Oxford Nanopore offer certification programs for their service providers which increases the revenue generation opportunities for the services segment.

Technology Insights

The nanopore sequencing segment dominated the market in 2024 with a share of 56.47%. The technology is expected to grow considerably in the future and is expected to revolutionize the long-read sequencing market. Currently, Oxford Nanopore develops array chips that comprise protein nanopores that are fixed onto an electrically resistant polymer. This arrangement allows parallel runs of multiple experiments onto a single chip. The company is currently taking several efforts to enhance the utility of nanopore technology in the future.

The single molecule real time sequencing segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 17.06% from 2025 to 2030. This can be attributed to its longer read lengths and low systematic bias leading to achieving high consensus accuracy. In addition, during sample preparation for SMRT, amplification is not necessary, thereby increasing its adoption in the research community. These factors are likely to boost the adoption of the technology in the near future.

Workflow Insights

The sequencing segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 62.24% in 2024. This trend is anticipated to continue throughout the projection period. This is mostly due to the fact that it is one of the most crucial components of the workflow. High demand for reagents and other consumables products for sequencing procedures is one of the key factors driving the segment. Moreover, with the increasing focus on genomics and personalized medicine in the recent years, adoption of sequencing activities is expected to witness a rapid growth in the coming years.

The data analysis segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 22.66% from 2025 to 2030. A high number of algorithms and tools have been developed to carry out base calling, variant discovery, data handling, de novo assembly, and read mapping. Advancements in data analysis tools are expected to boost the market growth throughout the forecast period. Key players are expanding their market presence with the help of the development of novel tools and products. For instance, Pacific Biosciences launched Sequel Systems v9.0 Software in July 2020. The SMRT Analysis Software provides flexible command-line options, easy-to-use graphical user interface, and an extensive set of APIs.

Application Insights

The whole genome sequencing segment dominated the long read sequencing market in 2024 with a share of 29.97%. SMRT sequencing has been found to be useful in identification of structural variation in genes as it provides access to a complete size spectrum of genetic variation in whole genomes, transcripts, and genes. The exceptionally long reads of SMRT sequencing allow researchers to discover the hidden biology of cancer samples by resolving isoform diversity, alternative splice sites, gene fusions, and retained introns.

The metagenomics segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 23.54% from 2025 to 2030. Technologies such as SMRT sequencing have been used to carry out metagenomics analyses for HIV, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, influenza virus, and other disease-causing microbes. The technology has been observed to be useful in not only determining genomic sequences of infecting viruses but also in monitoring any developing mutation due to drug treatment. With the growth in research prospects investigating the metagenomes of highly pathogenic organisms, the long read sequencing industry is expected to witness a rapid growth.

End-use Insights

In 2024, the academic & research institutes segment captured the largest market share of 48.83%. This is owing to the presence of numerous biotechnology research centers that study molecular biology and genome sequencing techniques. Along with this, academic workshops, on-site bioinformatics courses provided by universities, and the rising use of sequence analysis approaches in research are anticipated to strengthen the academic research sector.

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 21.74% from 2025 to 2030. Long read sequencing technology's potential in drug discovery and research & development activities is anticipated to drive the category growth. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that the technology will be able to simplify sequencing analysis for complex genomes and aid in increasing our understanding of chronic disease prognosis. This can lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions and can drive the long read sequencing industry growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the regional market with a largest share of 51.48% in 2024 due to the presence of major players such as Pacific Biosciences in the area, the availability of a strong informatics network, and well-established rules for the approval and marketing of genomic testing products and services. In addition, it is projected that the growing academic and clinical use of genomic techniques in the U.S. will accelerate the expansion of the North American long read sequencing industry.

U.S. Long Read Sequencing Market Trends

The U.S. leads the long read sequencing market globally, fueled by strong investments in genomic research, the presence of key industry players like Pacific Biosciences, and robust academic and clinical adoption of advanced sequencing technologies. Federal initiatives such as the NIH’s All of Us Research Program and widespread use of sequencing in oncology and rare disease diagnostics support continued market growth. In addition, favorable reimbursement scenarios and a mature regulatory environment further enhance the country's leadership in this space.

Europe Long Read Sequencing Market Trends

Europe represents a significant market for long read sequencing, driven by growing investments in genomics, increasing prevalence of genetic disorders, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Collaborative projects under the EU’s Horizon Europe and national initiatives, such as Genomics England, have spurred demand for advanced sequencing platforms. The region’s focus on precision medicine and biobank development is further boosting the uptake of long read technologies in both research and clinical environments.

The UK long read sequencing market landscape has emerged, largely due to the success of Genomics England and the NHS Genomic Medicine Service. Oxford Nanopore Technologies, a leading innovator in nanopore sequencing, is headquartered in the UK and plays a pivotal role in the market. Government support for personalized medicine, along with an advanced bioinformatics infrastructure and a growing number of sequencing-focused research centers, propels market expansion.

Germany long read sequencing market is expanding steadily, supported by a strong life sciences sector, substantial R&D funding, and a well-regulated medical technology environment. The country’s emphasis on translational genomics, cancer research, and precision diagnostics has encouraged both academic and commercial entities to adopt long read platforms. Collaborations between universities and biotech firms, alongside government-backed healthcare digitalization initiatives, are further fueling growth.

Asia Pacific Long Read Sequencing Market Trends

Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2030 due to the rising investments in the development of cutting-edge diagnostic techniques as well as increased penetration of major players in the region's growing markets. Japan is an emerging market in the Asia Pacific with a booming genomics industry. The Japanese market for long-read sequencing is anticipated to experience significant expansion in the near future as a result of the growing demand for precision medicine and the need for a better knowledge of genetics. For example, in May 2022, Pacific Biosciences collaborated with the Japanese organizations iLAC and Robotic Biology Institute to investigate the automation of the sample preparation workflow for Sequel II and IIe long read sequencing with the use of a robotic laboratory technician.

China long read sequencing market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by large-scale population genomics projects, increasing healthcare expenditure, and strong government support for biotechnology innovation. Companies like BGI Genomics are investing in developing indigenous sequencing platforms, while international players are forming joint ventures and partnerships. The expanding application of sequencing in areas like infectious diseases, oncology, and agricultural genomics is also contributing to the market’s momentum.

Japan long read sequencing market is driven by a focus on aging-related diseases, personalized medicine, and academic excellence in genomics. Government initiatives such as the Genome Medical Service Project and collaborations between national universities and biotech firms are enhancing the country’s capabilities in long read sequencing. The market benefits from a high level of technological sophistication, although adoption in clinical settings is still in a gradual phase compared to research applications.

MEA Long Read Sequencing Market Trends

The long read sequencing market in the Middle East is in an emerging phase, with growing interest in genomics as part of national healthcare transformation strategies. Countries such as the UAE and Qatar are investing in genomics research centers and precision medicine programs. Although infrastructure and skilled workforce limitations persist, regional collaborations and partnerships with global sequencing companies are enabling steady market development.

Saudi Arabia long read sequencing market is increasingly prioritizing genomics and long read sequencing as part of its Vision 2030 healthcare transformation plan. Initiatives such as the Saudi Human Genome Program aim to integrate sequencing into routine diagnostics and preventive healthcare. The country is investing in bioinformatics, national genetic databases, and partnerships with international technology providers to strengthen local capabilities and improve public health outcomes through personalized medicine.

Kuwait long read sequencing market is gradually building its long-read sequencing capabilities through public health initiatives and academic collaborations. With a growing awareness of genetic diseases and the importance of personalized medicine, the country is investing in healthcare digitization and genetic screening programs. Although still in its early stages, the market is expected to benefit from regional genomics initiatives and increased access to advanced sequencing platforms through partnerships with international players.

Key Long Read Sequencing Company Insights

The long read sequencing market is highly competitive, characterized by rapid innovation, strategic collaborations, and increasing investments in R&D. Key players such as Pacific Biosciences, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, and others, dominate the space with distinct technological approaches-SMRT sequencing and nanopore sequencing being the most prominent. Pacific Biosciences is known for high accuracy and long reads suitable for clinical applications, while Oxford Nanopore offers portable, real-time sequencing devices with scalability advantages. The market is also witnessing growing interest from regional players and emerging startups focusing on niche applications or affordable sequencing solutions. Partnerships with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical labs are common, aiming to enhance data accuracy, reduce turnaround times, and expand application breadth, especially in oncology, rare diseases, and microbial genomics.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Oxford Nanopore Technologies is partnering with the University of Tübingen and other European institutions to establish its sequencing technology as a first-line diagnostic tool.

• In July 2024, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Plasmidsaurus have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing plasmid sequencing capabilities.

• In June 2023, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. and Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM) announced a collaborative study focused on identifying potential disease-causing genetic variants and improving diagnostic success rates in rare disease cases.

Long Read Sequencing Market Report Scope

Global Long Read Sequencing Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this report, Grand View Research has segmented the global long read sequencing market on the basis of product, technology, workflow, application, end-use and region:

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

  • Instruments

  • Consumables

  • Services

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

  • Single Molecule Real Time Sequencing

  • Nanopore Sequencing

  • Others

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

  • Pre-sequencing

  • Sequencing

  • Data Analysis

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

  • Whole Genome Sequencing

  • Targeted Sequencing

  • Metagenomics

  • RNA Sequencing

  • Epigenetics

  • Others

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

  • Academic & Research Institutes

  • Hospitals & Clinics

  • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait