Often referred to as the “building block of life,” a cell is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit in living organisms. Cell analysis is a broad term used to describe the various procedures that help identify and map the basic biochemical and physical processes of life. Types of analysis include stem cell research, cell biology, and biotechnology, which are all used to isolate and assess cells. Simply put, the purpose of cell analysis is to understand the internal structure of a cell, get to know its cellular pathways, and determine how it will react to external stimuli such as medications.
As researchers around the world work to find cures for a myriad of diseases, the importance of cell analysis has increased. In 2015, the global cell analysis market stood at $18 billion, and, according to analysts at Technavio, will grow at a CAGR of nearly 7% by 2020.
Major trends in the cell analysis market
Growing number of diagnostic centers
Increased demand for more affordable diagnostic testing has led to diagnostic testing facilities being moved from hospitals and commercial laboratories to within the vicinity of patients’ homes. Leading vendors of diagnostic testing solutions have established diagnostic centers in order to capitalize on the untapped diagnostic testing market. This trend is especially common in developing countries, where a large percentage of the population lives in rural areas with minimal access to diagnostic centers.
More outsourcing
Outsourcing of drug discovery and research activities to CROs (contract research organizations) and research institutes by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies is quite common. Outsourcing not only helps reduce distribution and manufacturing costs, but also enables sourcing companies to concentrate on other competencies such as the development of pricing, marketing strategies, and brand building. A recent survey conducted by the Association of Contract Research Organizations examined 11,508 trials carried out by its members and found that each CRO was involved in more than 750 studies on average, or around 65% of trials. These figures show how outsourcing has become an incredibly common practice when it comes to cell analysis.
Increased funding for regenerative medicine
Funding plays a critical role in the expansion of the cell analysis market, especially in the case of regenerative medicine. Recently, governments in several countries are encouraging research in regenerative medicine by providing substantial funding, a necessity for small research companies. Japan, for example, established the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development in 2015, which aims to maintain funding and research and development in regenerative medicine. This funding is in turn contributing to the growth of the cell analysis market.
Growth in strategic alliances and M&A
In order to avoid patent loss and achieve better commercial gains, strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become trends among life technology organizations and research companies. More and more large corporations are integrating their work with local research institutes to expand their businesses into core sectors such as cellular imaging and to develop high-content multi-parametric phenotypic assays. These kinds of alliances contribute to the expansion of the cell analysis market, improving drug delivery efforts and assisting in the development of new therapies for individuals with severe medical conditions.
Migration of manufacturing and sales facilities to APAC
One major trend that has contributed to the expansion of the global cell analysis market is the migration of manufacturing and sales facilities to APAC (Asia-Pacific Countries). The reason behind this trend is the significant elderly population in the region, especially in China, Japan and South Korea, meaning that there is constant demand for medical solutions for age-related and chronic diseases. Additionally, factors such as cheaper operational costs and access to domestic markets, especially in countries like Indonesia, China, and India, are why many companies are migrating their manufacturing facilities to APAC countries.
Some of the leading vendors in the global cell analysis market include EMD Millipore, Danaher, GE Healthcare, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Olympus Life Science Solutions.
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