Primary Cell Culture Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Primary Cells, Reagents & Supplements, Media), By Separation Method, By Cell Type, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global primary cell culture market size was valued at USD 4.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.19% from 2023 to 2030. The primary factor driving the growth of the market is the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, such as cancer, infections, autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and nephrological diseases. This surge in prevalence has subsequently led to increased research activities, fostering the widespread adoption of primary cell cultures.

The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a positive catalyst for the growth of the market for primary cell culture. Cell culture methods are being increasingly used for understanding infections. Cell culture models for standardized and characterized epithelium are facilitating the understanding of the physical barrier destroyed by the COVID-19 virus. Such models can replicate the functions of the respiratory tract and aid in providing research breakthroughs for medical applications.

Furthermore, the growing need for primary cell culture is being driven by increasing research to find novel treatments. Cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent all across the world. According to WHO projections, the number of cancer deaths worldwide will continue to climb and will reach over 17 million by 2030. Moreover, as per American Cancer Society (ACS) Journals published in February 2021, worldwide there were around 19.3 million new cancer cases, and 10.0 million cancer-related deaths recorded in 2020. Hence, growth in cancer across the globe will lead to an increased demand for novel therapeutics which is anticipated to propel the growth of the market.

Additionally, the increasing use of primary cell cultures for in-vitro testing and drug screening has further driven the growth of the primary cell culture industry. Primary cell cultures are derived from tissues, allowing researchers to analyze cellular structures in vivo while demonstrating normal functioning. As a result, such cultures are used as model systems to investigate cell biochemistry and physiology,metabolic processes, signaling investigations,aging processes, and the effects of harmful substances and medications.

Product Insights

The reagent & supplements segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share of 37.67% in 2022. Since primary cells are fragile in nature, reagents and supplements are considered very crucial for their growth. Furthermore, reagents such as cell culture media, sera, and buffers create an environment that mimics the physiological conditions required for primary cells to survive and proliferate.The availability of a wide range of high-quality reagents and supplements tailored for specific cell types and research applications has contributed to their dominance, as researchers rely on these products to ensure successful and reproducible experiments and outcomes.

On the other hand, the primary cells segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of14.13% over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to their inherent physiological relevance and functional characteristics. Primary cells are isolated directly from tissues or organs, preserving their original biological properties, and maintaining the complex interactions within their native microenvironment. Furthermore, companies are highly investing in the development of primary cells to manufacture novel therapies. Furthermore, key players are acquiring other companies to strengthen their product portfolio. For instance, in April 2023, AnaBios acquired Cell Systems to expand its human cell portfolio for drug development.

Separation Method Insights

The enzymatic degradation segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 32.15% in 2022. The growth is attributed to a high preference for this method over alternative procedures for primary cell separation due to benefits such as reduced damage to cultures, rapid processing, and high yield of a representative sample. Moreover, enzymatic degradation is the most widely used technique for cell disaggregation.

This technique provides a high yield of primary cells and employs different types of enzymes to disaggregate the tissue. Crude trypsin is the enzyme that is mostly used in this technique. Therefore, due to the less damaging effect on the cells and more yield, enzymatic disaggregation is the most preferred method in primary cell culture separation and culture techniques. For instance, in July 2021, Shizuoka University and NINS conducted research with the help of the enzymatic degradation technique, which helped them significantly to improve thermal stability.

The mechanical separation segment is expected to witness a lucrative CAGR of 13.31% over the forecast period owing to the advancements in the mechanical separation process. For instance, in October 2020, a group of researchers in France cultured primary skin cells from systemic sclerosis patients by using mechanical extraction combined with immuno-magnetic cell sorting. The study concluded that the technique allowed a purity rate of around 80% for human dermal microvascular endothelial cells as compared to conventional techniques.

Moreover, this technique employs careful and skillful chopping, slicing, sieving (forcing the tissues through a series of sieves with reduced mesh size), syringing (forcing the tissue pieces through the syringe), and pipetting of tissues. In addition, the technique also helped in overcoming the contamination of fibroblasts, which is considered a major issue in obtaining endothelial cells.

Cell Type Insights

The animal cells segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share of 59.41% in 2022. The growing applications of animal-origin primary cells for vaccine development are major factors fueling the segment’s growth. Animal cells, such as mice, rats, and porcine cells, have been extensively studied and characterized, making them valuable tools for a broad range of research applications. They serve as important models for studying disease mechanisms, drug development, and toxicity testing. Moreover, the segment growth can be attributed to the wide product offering of animal-origin primary cells by companies such as Lonza; Merck KGaA; and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

The human cells segment is expected to witness a lucrative CAGR of 14.01% over the forecast period. Human cells offer a unique opportunity to study and understand human-specific physiological and pathological processes. They allow researchers to investigate disease mechanisms, evaluate drug efficacy and toxicity, and develop personalized treatment approaches. In 2021, human cells played a crucial role in COVID-19 research, enabling scientists to study the virus's interaction with human cells and develop targeted therapies and vaccines.

Application Insights

The cell & gene therapy development segment held the largest revenue share of 39.45% in 2022. This can be attributed to the rapidly growing field of regenerative medicine and the increasing demand for personalized therapies. Cell and gene therapies hold great potential for treating various diseases, including cancer, genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions. They involve the manipulation and modification of cells or genes to restore or enhance their function, and primary cell culture plays a critical role in their development. As per the In Vivo Citeline Commercial report published in January 2023, a total of 13 new gene therapies could be approved in the U.S., as well as in Europe, by the end of 2023. This demonstrates the market's huge need for primary cell culture products.

On the other hand, the model system segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.77% over the forecast period. Model systems play an essential role in understanding biological processes, disease mechanisms, and drug development. Model systems, such as organoids, 3D cell cultures, and tissue engineering constructs, offer a more representative and physiologically relevant environment compared to traditional 2D cell cultures. Furthermore, companies are making investments in adopting more 3D cell culture techniques to enhance their biological research. For instance, in May 2021, CELLINK acquired Visikol, a contract research company that offers high-quality services in 3D tissue imaging, multiplex imaging, and 3D cell culture technique.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the largest share of 41.52% in 2022. North America is dominating the primary cell culture market due to several factors, including robust research infrastructure, significant investments in biomedical research, and the presence of key industry players. The region has a strong scientific community and well-established research institutions that actively contribute to advancements in cell culture technologies. Additionally, North America is home to numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that are investing heavily in primary cell culture research and development.

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 14.64% from 2023 to 2030. The growth is primarily driven by the lower costs associated with stem cell transplantation in the region, thereby contributing to the high demands. Additionally, there has been a surge in the development and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies in Asia Pacific, with notable advancements in regenerative medicine, stem cell research, and tissue engineering applications. The growing investment, research capabilities, and cost advantages have propelled regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Several major companies are vying for a higher market share in the very competitive and fragmented market. Key companies are undertaking strategic activities like mergers, acquisitions, and alliances to elevate their market position. For instance, in February 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. announced a collaboration with Celltrio, a manufacturing company to enable a fully automated cell culture system for their customers. Some prominent players in the global primary cell culture market include:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• Lonza

• Merck KGaA

• Corning Incorporated

• Danaher 

• PromoCell GmbH

• ATCC

• FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.

• Mattek

• Axol Bioscience Ltd.

Primary Cell Culture Market Report Scope

Global Primary Cell Culture Market Report 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 this report, Grand View Research has segmented the global primary cell culture market report based on product, separation method, cell type, application, and region:

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

  • Primary Cells

    • Fat Cells

    • Blood Cells

    • Nerve Cells

    • Bone Cells

    • Endothelial Cells

    • Skin Cells

    • Muscle Cells

    • Stem Cells

    • Others

  • Reagents & Supplements

    • Attachment Solutions

    • Buffers and Salts

    • Sera

    • Growth Factors and Cytokines

    • Others

  • Media

    • Fat Cells Media

    • Blood Cells Media

    • Nerve Cells Media

    • Bone Cells Media

    • Endothelial Cells Media

    • Skin Cells Media

    • Muscle Cells media

    • Stem Cells Media

    • Others

• Separation Method Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Explant Method

  • Enzymatic Degradation

    • Trypsin

    • Collagenase

    • Protease

    • Pronase

    • Dispase

    • Hyaluronidase

    • Neuraminidase

    • Elastase

    • DNase

    • Papain

    • Accutase

    • Others

  • Mechanical Separation

  • Others

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

  • Animal Cells

  • Human Cells

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

  • Cell & Gene Therapy Development

  • Vaccine Production

  • Model System

  • Virology

  • Prenatal Diagnosis

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait