Scaffold Technology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Hydrogels, Nanofiber-based Scaffolds), By Application, By Disease Type, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global scaffold technology market size was valued at USD 969.00 million in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.05% from 2020 to 2027. The market is driven by a high demand for body reconstruction procedures and a rise in organ transplantations globally. The biomimetic tissue constructs designed by scaffold technology generate 3D organotypic structure, which improves the transplantation processes, consequently boosting the organic revenue growth of the market.

Scaffolds play a critical role in tissue engineering for the restoration and regeneration of damaged organs. 3D printing holds immense potential in the fabrication of scaffolds due to its benefits, such as the development of complex geometries, co-culture of multiple cells, porosities, and incorporation of growth factors. A rise in the usage of biomaterials, including polymers and composites, influences the scaffold fabrication, which drives scaffold usage in tissue engineering.

Ongoing advances in reconstructive surgical processes facilitate improved integration of a scaffold-based implant at the desired site that positively influences the use of this technology in reconstructive surgical procedures. In addition, constant research activities to design innovative matrix-based 3D substrates allow the favorable interface between implants and its host microenvironment for optimal drug release, which further accelerates the market growth.

The paradigm shift from 2D culture techniques to 3D cell cultures has provided substantial advantages in cell therapy and tissue engineering procedures. Spheroid cultures enhance the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapeutics. These cultures provide improved anti-inflammatory, reparative, and tissue regenerative effects, along with better post-transplant survival of MSCs, which positively impacts the adoption of 3D scaffold-cultures.

The introduction of novel scaffolds with distinguishable characteristics, such as biologically inert, biodegradability, ability to represent the human extracellular matrix, and facilitation of fluorescent imaging of cells, propel the market growth. For instance, in August 2019, Meril Life Sciences received the CE approval for its indigenously developed scaffold, MeRes100 BRS, which is a thin strut resorbable scaffold used for the treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions.

Type Insights

The hydrogels segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 41.80% in 2019. This is attributed to the properties related to the application of hydrogels, such as the ease of loading drugs and cells for controlled drug delivery. In recent years, hydrogels have gained demand as a leading candidate in 3D cell cultivation and tissue engineering. Ongoing technological advancements in the microfabrication of hydrogels are expected to boost revenue generation in this segment.

Recent advances including stereolithography, micro-molding, and photolithography have driven the development of scaffold products. For instance, the introduction of injectable and microporous hydrogel scaffold enables organ-on-a-chip technology to enhance in vivo wound healing. Furthermore, the presence of several companies, such as Pelobiotech; Becton, Dickinson and Company, offers a wide range of hydrogel-based products, which is contributing to the growth of the segment.

The nanofiber-based scaffolds segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The nanoscale fibrous structures with interconnecting pores designed by the electrospinning technique facilitate the formation of artificial functional tissues during tissue engineering. These artificial tissues resemble the natural extracellular matrix in tissues, thus enhancing tissue engineering by providing a similar extracellular matrix of living tissues.

Application Insights

The stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering application segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 65.89% in 2019 and is expected to witness the fastest growth from 2020 to 2027. High usage of scaffolds in wound healing, aesthetic surgeries, soft tissue tumor repair, abdominal wall repair, periodontology, and colorectal surgeries boost the revenue generation in this segment.

In addition, the combination of an antimicrobial agent with a tissue repair scaffold to enhance the regeneration process is expected to improve plastic and reconstructive procedures, which involve a high risk of loss of repaired tissue due to infection. The development of computational topology design and solid freeform fabrication has enabled the designing of tissue-engineering scaffolds with controlled architecture, which contributes to the growth of this segment.

The demand for robust and portable tools for drug discovery and development accelerates the usage of scaffold technology in the drug discovery field. The ability of 3D cellular models to mimic the microenvironment for the process of pathway elucidation and etiology studies has shown benefits over conventional procedures, such as monolayer cell cultivation. Besides, scaffold-based reagents and products are used for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiling of drug compounds.

Disease Type Insights

In terms of revenue, the orthopedics, musculoskeletal, and spine segment held the largest revenue share of 54.17% in 2019 owing to the rise in the incidence of musculoskeletal and orthopedic complications. Around 15 million fractures occur annually in the U.S., among which there are 2 million osteoporotic fractures and 1.6 million hospital admissions for traumatic fractures. This involves the cost of more than USD 60 billion and requires over 1.6 million bone grafts every year in the U.S.

A combination of cell therapy, drug delivery, and electrospun nanofiber scaffolds has potential in regeneration and repairing of orthopedic tissues. Topographic cues offered by these nanofibers have significantly improved the migration, adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation of cells. Thereby, the advent of new technologies, such as electrospun nanofiber scaffolds manufactured for the engineering of orthopedic tissues, further propels the segment growth.

The neurology segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to continuous R&D in regenerative solutions for neurological disorders. The researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Institute of Engineering in Medicine developed a spinal cord with the help of 3D printed scaffolds as reported in January 2019. The spinal cord was loaded with neural stem cells and promotes the growth of stem cells during spinal cord injuries.

End-use Insights

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations captured the largest revenue share of 46.80% in 2019 due to a wide application of scaffold technology in drug discovery protocols, especially in drug screening and target validation of therapeutics. Moreover, these firms make use of this technology to deliver drugs, cells, and genes into the body for drug quantification and screening of prolonged drug delivery.

The hospitals and diagnostic centers segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing end-use segment during the forecast period. A rise in the number of grafting procedures, coupled with road accidents and related injury cases, consequently increases the demand for biological scaffolds in hospitals. Several hospitals offer scaffold-based treatment for cardiovascular and dental surgeries, which subsequently supplements the revenue generated by this segment.

For instance, Apollo Hospitals offers a Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS)-based procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The development of new techniques by hospitals, such as the Bridge-enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) provided by Boston Children's Hospital (the U.S.) employs a scaffolding technique to stimulate the healing of a torn ligament, also supplements the usage of biological scaffolds in hospitals.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market with a revenue share of 40.73% in 2019. This can be attributed to an increase in regenerative medicine and stem cell research, a developed healthcare framework, and a rise in investments to expand the applications of these technologies. A large number of academic and research organizations are involved in investigating various stem cell-based approaches that are expected to propel the use of this technology over the coming years.

Furthermore, numerous strategies are undertaken by key players to expand the usage of 3D constructs and regenerative medicine across a wide range of applications resulting in substantial revenue generation for the region. For instance, in September 2019, the acquisition of a majority interest of Akron Biotechnology LLC by Arcline Investment Management strengthened the Akron’s capabilities to fulfill the high demand for regenerative medicine and consumers it served.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest CAGR in the forecast period owing to the presence of government agencies that focus on regenerative medicine and stem cell research. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) deal with stem cell research and regenerative medicine in India. Moreover, the National Centre for Cell Science researches on stem cell biology and other advanced therapy areas to fuel the usage of scaffold technology in India.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Major participants are adopting significant initiatives to expand their market presence and maintain a competitive edge in the space. They are engaged in reinforcing their position in the vertical through the expansion of their distribution network, collaborative and partnership models, product portfolio diversification, and merger models with other entities.

For instance, in October 2019, Avacta Life Sciences collaborated with ADC Therapeutics SA for the development of Affimer-drug conjugates with the integration of pyrrolobenzodiazepine-based warhead and linker technologies of ADC to the Affimer technology. This collaboration provided exclusive licenses to ADC for clinical development and commercialization of Affimer proteins, which expanded applications of Affimer technology, a versatile and stable peptide display scaffold. Some prominent players in the global scaffold technology market include:

• Merck KGaA

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• Becton, Dickinson and Company

• 3D Biotek LLC

• Xanofi

• Molecular Matrix Inc.

• Tecan Trading AG

• REPROCELL Inc.

• Matricel GmbH

• Pelobiotech

• Corning Incorporated

• Akron Biotech

• Avacta Life Sciences Limited

• Nanofiber Solutions

• 4titude

• 3D Biomatrix

• Vericel Corporation

• NuVasive, Inc.

• Allergan

• Medtronic

Scaffold Technology Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global scaffold technology market report on the basis of type, application, disease type, end use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Hydrogels

    • Wound Healing

    • 3D Bioprinting

    • Immunomodulation

  • Polymeric Scaffolds

  • Micropatterned Surface Microplates

  • Nanofiber Based Scaffolds

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Stem Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, & Tissue Engineering

  • Drug Discovery

  • Others

• Disease Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal, & Spine

  • Cancer

  • Skin & Integumentary

  • Dental

  • Cardiology & Vascular

  • Neurology

  • Urology

  • GI & Gynecology

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries

  • Research Laboratories and Institutes

  • Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa