Biological cells can interact with their surroundings in all three dimensions in a three-dimensional cell culture system. 3D cell culture allows for unlimited cell growth in an in vitro environment. Cells developed in 3D cell culture display and exhibit biological characteristics and behaviors comparable to those found in living things. Cell culture is necessary for research and development as the emphasis on drug development grows. The growing popularity of precision drug development techniques is also impacting cell culture.

The market worth of 3D cell culture in 2021 was USD 1.66 billion, and it will be worth USD 6.46 billion by 2030, growing at a 16.3% CAGR during the forecast period.

The increasing number of businesses investing in the development of 3D cell culture and the growing emphasis on customized treatment are factors boosting market expansion. The market is rising due to the growing desire for this method and the advent of 3D cell culture based on microfluidics.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

One of the key factors boosting the need for 3D cell culture is the rise in awareness of oncological illnesses, including lung cancer, skin cancer, and others. Due to its usage in clinical trials and contribution to understanding cell physiology, 3D cell culture is a crucial component of oncology. Additionally, 3D cell culture is used in drug discovery since it provides information on a variety of biological pathways. Governmental and non-governmental organizations are increasing financial assistance and support for cancer research, which has caused the market trend for 3D cell culture to grow significantly.

Restraints

The expansion of the 3D cell culture market is hampered by a lack of experienced workers, the availability of alternatives like 2D cell culture, and greater technology costs.

Opportunity 

Recent advancements in in-vitro neuromuscular reproduction systems, made possible by 3D cell-culture techniques, have increased dependability. Additionally, improvements in 3D cell culture for simulating the entire spinal-locomotion circuit and neurodegenerative processes will create a promising environment for expanding this market.

Market Segmentation

Technology Insights

With a revenue share of about 68.96% in 2020, scaffold-based technology had the greatest revenue share. Utilizing hydrogels as scaffolds enables the integration of intricate biochemical and mechanical signals that imitate the extracellular matrix in 3-dimensional cell culture-based research. Additionally, it is anticipated that the growing acceptance and knowledge of nanotechnology in biomedical research would present prospects for future expansion for nanofiber-based scaffolds, ultimately enhancing consumer demand for scaffold-based technologies.

Application Insights

With 24.56% of total revenue in 2020, the cancer segment ruled the market and will expand at a CAGR of 15.4%. Spheroids are used as model systems in this industry’s research and development to create anti-cancer medications. Per the National Cancer Institute, there were 16.9 million cancer survivors in 2020, and by 2030, that number is projected to rise to 22.2 million in the United States.

End-user Insights

In 2020, the biotechnology segment led the entire market with a 46% revenue share. Different forms of 3D cell culture have advantages over 2D cell culture, including realistic cell-to-cell interactions, suitable oxygen, and nutrient gradients, and non-uniform exposure of cells within a spheroid to a medication. These characteristics make 3D cell cultures better suited for the discovery and development of drugs, which increases demand.

Regional Insights

North America maintained the largest market position in 2020, with the largest revenue share of about 43%. The largest market share is due to the availability of private and public funding for developing sophisticated 3D cell culture models, high healthcare spending, and numerous universities and research organizations looking into various stem cell-based approaches. Researchers from the Terasaki Institute and Mayo Clinic in the United States created transparent hydrogels that can be utilized for hemorrhage monitoring and control in December 2020.

However, due to increased investments by numerous international firms in this region’s emerging economies, Asia Pacific will experience the quickest rate of regional market growth from 2021 to 2030.

Key Players 

• PromoCell GmbH
• Greiner Bio One International GmbH
• Merck KGaA
• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• Corning, Inc.
• Avantor Performance Materials, LLC
• Tecan Trading AG
• 3D Biomatrix
• Global Cell Solutions, Inc.
• Lonza
• 3D Biotek LLC
• InSphero

The market worth of 3D cell culture in 2021 was USD 1.66 billion, and it will be worth USD 6.46 billion by 2030, growing at a 16.3% CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing preference of researchers for using these cultures, particularly in cancer research, is fueling the growth of the global 3D cell culture market.