3D Cell Culture Market by Product (Low Attachment Surfaces, Bioreactors, Hanging Drop Method, Hydrogel, Porous Scaffold, Fibrous Scaffold), Application (Cancer Research, Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering, Drug Discovery) - Global Forecast to 2030

The 3D Cell Culture Market is projected to reach $4.02 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2023 to 2030. 3D cell culture is an environment that allows cells to grow and interact in three dimensions with the extracellular matrix. In comparison, traditional 2D cell cultures involve cells growing as a flat monolayer on a plate. 3D cell culture models can be scaffold-based or scaffold-free. 3D cell culture or 3D tissue cell culture has enabled researchers to study various aspects of cell behavior, including cell morphology, differentiation, proliferation, invasion, migration, protein synthesis, and gene expression.

3D cell culture and 3D cell models play a crucial role in understanding disease mechanisms. They involve creating 3D culture systems, such as cancer organoids, derived directly from patient samples. These 3D culture systems can be used to study disease pathways by altering genes and screening small-molecule medicines. Compared to 2D cell cultures, 3D cell cultures provide more accurate predictions of toxicity and efficacy in drug treatments.

This market's growth is driven by increasing cancer research, the growing use of 3D cell culture in drug discovery and toxicology testing, the high demand for organ transplants, rising investments and funding for life science research, and the utilization of 3D cell culture models in animal testing. Additionally, emerging economies and a growing focus on regenerative medicine are expected to offer significant market growth opportunities.

However, the high cost associated with cell biology research and the shortage of skilled professionals in the field restrains the growth of this market. Additionally, the lack of consistency in 3D cell culture products poses a significant challenge to the market's growth.

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Rising Investments and Funding for Cancer Research to Boost the 3D Cell Culture Market’s Growth

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technology & 3D cell culture systems have emerged as a critical area of research, particularly in the field of tumor cell biology. Researchers utilize various techniques and materials to create 3D cell culture models that mimic the in-vivo environment of developed tumor cells. 3D cell culture helps cancer researchers understand tumor cells' biological traits, as it mimics the complex tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, it enables researchers to gain insights into the biological characteristics of tumor cells, replicate the tumor microenvironment, capture the phenotypic heterogeneity of cells, and observe alterations in cell morphology, proliferation, and gene expression.

In recent years, the adoption of 3D cell culture systems has seen substantial growth in academic and government research institutes and pharmaceutical companies. This trend can be attributed to the increasing emphasis on life sciences research, particularly oncology. As healthcare concerns related to cancer continue to rise, there is a growing demand for innovative therapies and treatments. Various public and private organizations are focusing on providing funding and investments to boost cancer research. For instance

• In February 2023, the governing body of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) (U.S.) approved over $90 million for the cancer research institutes for research hubs in Texas to boost cancer research.
• In February 2023, the breast cancer researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) (U.S.) received $52.7 million in funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) (U.S.) for breast cancer research.
• In June 2023, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center (U.S.) received $50 million in funding from the U.S. government to expand cancer research and treatments.
• In June 2023, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) (Canada) funded six Ontario-based research teams with $200,000 to improve the lives of cancer patients.

Thus, rising investments and funding for cancer research by public-private organizations are expected to drive the growth of the 3D cell culture market.

High Growth Prospects in Emerging Economies to Offer Market Growth Opportunities

Developed economies, including the U.S. and European countries, have been driving the growth of the 3D cell culture market. These markets have relatively higher levels of adoption and penetration of advanced technologies. As a result, companies operating in the 3D cell culture market are increasingly turning their attention to untapped potential in emerging economies.

Emerging countries in Asia and Latin America, such as India, China, Brazil, and Singapore, present significant growth opportunities for the 3D cell culture market. These countries are experiencing notable improvements in their healthcare infrastructures, making healthcare services more accessible to a broader population. Additionally, there is a high demand for organ transplants in these countries, further boosting the need for advanced technologies like 3D cell culture to support transplantation procedures.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), per capita health expenditure in developing countries is rising steadily. This rise in health expenditure can be attributed to the increasing demand for advanced research in critical areas such as cancer, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery, which supports the growth of the 3D cell culture market. Furthermore, economic development and higher disposable income, along with improved access to healthcare services through health insurance, are fueling the growth of the 3D cell culture market in these countries. According to the World Health Organization’s 2021 report, government health spending increased from 11.9% to 15.0% in 2020. In addition, according to global Economic Data, Indicators, Charts & Forecasts (CEIC) Data, the per capita disposable income in China was $5,444.8 million (¥35.1 million) in 2021 and $5,480.5million (¥36.8 million) in 2022, an increase of 2.6%.

The increasing prevalence of cancer in developing countries, including India, China, and Brazil, is driving the demand for cancer research, regenerative medicines, and novel therapies. According to GLOBOCAN, in 2020, 1.3 million new cancer cases were detected in India, and it is expected to increase to 1.7 million by 2030. Furthermore, in China, 54,227 new cancer cases were detected in 2020. It is expected to increase to 71,139 by 2030. This growing cancer prevalence has led to increased research efforts to develop regenerative medicines and therapies, subsequently driving the demand for 3D cell culture. Additionally, the improving accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in these regions further contribute to the rising demand for 3D cell culture.

Key Players

The report offers a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the product offerings and geographic presence of leading market players and the key growth strategies adopted by them in the last three to four years. The key players profiled in the 3D cell culture market report are Thermo Fisher Scientific (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), Lonza Group AG (Switzerland), Corning Incorporated (U.S.), UPM-Kymmene Corporation (Finland), REPROCELL Inc. (Japan), SYNTHECON, INCORPORATED (South Africa), InSphero AG (Switzerland ), Advanced BioMatrix (U.S.), MIMETAS B.V. (Netherlands), and Greiner Bio-One International GmbH (Austria).

Key Findings in the 3D Cell Culture Market Study:

In 2023, the Scaffold-based Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Market

Among the products, in 2023, the scaffold-based segment is expected to account for the largest share of the 3D cell culture market. Scaffold-based methods are commonly used in 3D cell culture, where cells are grown with the support of a scaffold. The scaffold can be made of synthetic materials or extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides structural and mechanical support to the cells. The ECM offers essential properties such as elasticity and rigidity required for cell growth. Due to these advantages, scaffold-based techniques are widely preferred for 3D cell cultures.

In 2023, the Cancer Research Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Market

Among the applications, in 2023, the cancer research segment is expected to account for the largest share of the 3D cell culture market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the high prevalence of cancer, which necessitates the development of innovative therapies. 3D cell cultures play a significant role in cancer-related drug discovery, allowing for the study of cell morphology and drug modeling. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases in 2020, and this number is expected to reach 24.6 million by 2030. As a result, the increasing prevalence of cancer fuels research efforts for novel treatments, contributing to the dominant market share of the cancer research segment.

In 2023, the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Market

Among the end users, in 2023, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment is expected to account for the largest share of the 3D cell culture market. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are extensively investing in R&D to launch innovative therapies. According to data released by Creative Biolabs, Inc., a U.S.-based life sciences company, as of April 16, 2021, the number of active cell therapies for cancer was reported to be 2,073 in the global pipeline, an increase of 572 compared to 2020.

In addition, collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and 3D cell culture providers are becoming more prevalent, facilitating research and drug development advancements. For instance, in February 2020, zPREDICTA, Inc. (U.S.) collaborated with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (U.S.) to advance the use of 3D cell cultures in research and drug development. As a result, the growing collaborations and the focus on developing innovative therapies by pharmaceutical companies contribute to the large market share of this segment in the 3D cell culture market.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing Regional Market

The growth of this regional market is attributed to the increasing incidence of cancer, the presence of key 3D cell culture companies in countries like China, India, Singapore, and South Korea, advancements in technology related to 3D cell culture, and government investments in research and development activities. Furthermore, the accessibility of private and public funding for the development of advanced 3D cell culture models contributes to the growth of this market. For instance, in December 2021, Inventia Life Science Pty Ltd. (Australia) invested $25 million to market the RASTRUM 3D cell culture platform globally.

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