Real-time PCR, Digital PCR, And End-point PCR Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Quantitative, Digital, End-point), By Product, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global real-time PCR, digital PCR, and end-point PCR market size was valued at USD 35.69 billion in 2022 and is expected to decline at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of -11.3% from 2023 to 2030. The market growth is anticipated to be negatively affected by the declining demand for PCR testing for COVID-19. However, the global real-time PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and end-point PCR market without the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2023 to 2030. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method that utilizes polymerase enzymes, primers, and repeated thermal cycles to generate numerous copies of DNA from a single strand. The advantage of conducting these tests in automated thermal cyclers is that they are less susceptible to cross-contamination. The rising demand for molecular testing is being driven by technological advancements. dPCR and qPCR are widely used diagnostic techniques in various sectors such as research, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, offering a diverse range of applications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry. The diagnostic industry was the hardest hit, with exponential growth in the market. As they are used for diagnostic and drug development, digital PCR and real-time PCR have seen a lot of interest. Therefore, the industry vendors are increasingly focusing on building droplet digital PCR kits to detect COVID-19. Moreover, many market players have introduced innovative instruments and novel tests for COVID-19 testing. For instance, in January 2023, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd developed a novel COVID-19 PCR test, VirSNiP SARS-CoV-2 Spike F486P, to target the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant. In addition, regulatory agencies have expressed strong support for approving these tests to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Thus, it will boost market growth.

Several companies' marketing strategies have been altered to cope with the pandemic and increase revenue. In addition, major market players are concentrating on new technologies to expand the industry. For instance, to address the COVID-19 outbreak, in March 2020, Thermo Fisher developed several PCR kits and assays for diagnostic and research purposes. SARS-CoV-2 multiplex real-time PCR test gained emergency use authorization (EUA) from the US FDA, and AcroMetrix Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) RNA Control was introduced in 2020. Such market players’ initiatives are expected to open new opportunities in the market.

The increasing incidence of genetic disorders and major infectious diseases, growing utilization of biomarker profiling for disease diagnostics, and the successful execution of the Human Genome Project are the primary factors increasing the demand for technologically advanced PCR tests over the forecast period. In the coming years, significant technological breakthroughs in technologies, increasing investments, funding, and grants are likely to increase the demand for digital PCR in different applications.

Consumer preferences for early disease detection and treatment have accelerated research and development into novel genetic techniques and product creation. Furthermore, increased investment and the accessibility of cash and grants are supporting this surge in R&D activity. Moreover, governments and federal organizations all over the world are increasingly emphasizing the importance of qPCR and dPCR technologies in genomics research. In addition, several financing efforts by government and corporate organizations to assist genomic research have been seen in the qPCR and dPCR industries during the last decade.

Application Insights

The clinical segment held the largest revenue share of over 64.04% in 2022. This can be attributed to various factors, such as the rising prevalence of diseases including cancer, infectious diseases, and diabetes; high precision of testing methods; increasing commercialization of reagents for diagnostics; efficient disease diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment; and additional benefits in disease detection. For instance, in April 2019, The QuantStudio 6 & 7 Pro RT-PCR Systems, which incorporate additional features such as facial identification, voice assistant, and RF identification, were introduced by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Similarly, in April 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched 37 CE-IVD-marked real-time PCR assay kits for different infectious diseases for its QuantStudio Dx series of instruments. Compared to currently available digital PCR technologies, it provides highly automated workflows with substantially faster time-to-result, more multiplexing, and greater throughput flexibility.

The forensic segment is expected to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. The increasing use of novel techniques in forensic applications such as DNA typing, genetic fingerprinting, and DNA testing is anticipated to drive the segment over the forecast period. Moreover, improvements in existing technologies to prepare the library for forensic DNA typing from difficult samples are driving the segment.

Product Insights

The consumables and reagents segment held the largest revenue share of over 62.51% in 2022. This can be attributed to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased demand for earlier detection of disease, and the number of significant companies manufacturing digital PCR consumables and reagents. Furthermore, the widespread use of consumables and reagents and expanding demand for healthcare, research, and other purposes are supporting the large segment share. Moreover, the segment is anticipated to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period.

Moreover, the rising incidence of chronic conditions and the growing use of PCR has increased the requirement for consumables and reagents. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries' rising acceptance of technology innovations and increased research and development will generate significant potential for this market throughout the anticipated period.

Technology Insights

The quantitative PCR segment held the largest revenue share of over 88.63% in 2022. This segment is driven by factors such as rapid technological advancements and increasing demand for automated systems and point-of-care diagnostics. In addition, the high adoption of technology supported by the introduction of products based on real-time PCR for screening and diagnosis of COVID-19 has increased the segment growth at an exponential rate. For instance, in February 2023, Huwel Lifesciences designed a portable RT-PCR machine to test different types of viruses. Moreover, in March 2020, Bruker Corporation announced a distribution agreement with the subsidiary of Novacyt SA for the distribution of genesig real-time PCR coronavirus assay in the U.S., the U.K., Spain, France, and Germany.

Digital PCR is a next-generation diagnostic technology for precise nucleic acid measurement. These systems have higher sensitivity and accuracy than other PCR-based techniques, which is expected to drive the market forward throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the increasing introduction of innovative Droplet Digital PCR tests is anticipated to increase the application expansion over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market with a revenue share of over 36.10% in 2022 and is expected to maintain its position during the forecast period, majorly due to the presence of favorable regulations and various initiatives about the development of healthcare infrastructure undertaken by the government and high disease prevalence in the region. Furthermore, the strong presence of prominent manufacturers and an expanding requirement for rapid diagnostic tests in the region are expected to serve as critical factors driving the North American market throughout the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is the most lucrative market, primarily driven by notable advancements in PCR technology integration by China and Japan. Additionally, the development of healthcare, research and development (R&D), and clinical development frameworks in emerging economies such as India and Australia further contribute to the positive growth prospects of the Asia Pacific market. These factors collectively position the region to witness lucrative opportunities for growth throughout the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Major market players are adopting marketing strategies such as geographical expansion, partnerships, strategic collaborations, and mergers and acquisitions in emerging and economically favorable regions. For instance, in February 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. launched QuantStudio Absolute Q AutoRun dPCR suite to enable lab automation, high flexibility, and ease of use. Moreover, in February 2022, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd expanded the COVID-19 PCR tests in countries accepting the CE market. Company expansion is anticipated to increase its share in the market. Some prominent players in the global real-time PCR, digital PCR, and end-point PCR market include:

• Abbott

• Qiagen

• Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

• Agilent Technologies, Inc.

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• GE Healthcare

• BIOMÉRIEUX

• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

• Fluidigm Corporation

Recent Development

• In July 2023, QIAGEN launched CGT Viral Vector Lysis kit for the biopharma industry, expanding its range of digital PCR kits and services. This is aimed at facilitating the development of cell and gene therapies in the biopharma sector.

• In October 2022, Standard BioTools (formerly known as Standard BioTools) launched the X9 Real-time PCR System, a productive and high-capacity genomics platform. With more than 9,000 unique nanoliter-volume reactions in a single run, X9 offers high data output, ensuring efficient, thorough sample profiling with little operator involvement.

• In September 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q digital PCR system, thus expanding its genetic analysis capabilities. It is the first fully integrated digital PCR (dPCR) system that is designed to provide consistent and highly accurate results within 90 minutes.

• In June 2021, Bio-Rad introduced its PREvalence™ ddPCR® SARS-CoV-2 wastewater quantification kit for testing COVID-19 wastewater at a competitive price.

• In January 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired point-of-care molecular diagnostics provider Mesa Biotech to commercialize Mesa Biotech’s PCR-based rapid point-of-care testing platform for SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza A and B, and Strep A detection.

• In January 2021, Helix Specialty Diagnostics collaborated with Genomic LTC DX to offer COVID-19 testing using Advanta™ Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay on the Fluidigm® Biomark™ HD system. 

Real-time PCR, Digital PCR, And End-point PCR Market Report Scope

Global Real-time PCR, Digital PCR, And End-point PCR Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis on 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 real time PCR, digital PCR and end-point PCR market report on the basis of technology, application, product, and regions.

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

  • Quantitative

    • Consumables & Reagents

    • Instruments

    • Software & Services

  • Digital

    • Consumables & Reagents

    • Instruments

    • Software & Services

  • End-point

    • Consumables & Reagents

    • Instruments

    • Software & Services

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

  • Consumables & Reagents

  • Instruments

  • Software & Services

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

  • Clinical

    • Pathogen Testing

    • Oncology testing

    • Blood Screening

    • Liquid Biopsy

    • dPCR-based Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

    • Others

  • Research

    • Stem Cell Research

    • DNA Cloning & Sequencing

    • Recombinant DNA Technology

    • Rare Mutation Detection

    • Gene Expression

    • Single Cell Analysis

    • Microbiome Analysis

    • Copy Number Variation Analysis

    • Library Quantification (NGS)

    • Characterization of Low-fold Changes in mRNA and miRNA

    • Expression"

    • Species Identification

    • GMO Detection

    • Others

  • Forensic

• 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

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait