Microbial Identification Market (By Product & Services; By Technology: Mass Spectrometry, PCR; By Method; By Application; By End-use) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024-2033

The global microbial identification market size was surpassed at USD 3.68 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit around USD 11.25 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.82% from 2024 to 2033.

Key Pointers

• North America led the global market with the largest market share of 39% in 2023.
• By Product & Services, the consumables segment captured the largest market share of 37% in 2023.
• By Product & Services, the software and services segment expected to expand at the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2033.
• By Technology, the PCR segment held the largest revenue share in 2023.
• By Technology, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) segment anticipated to grow at the noteworthy CAGR of 14.75% from 2024 to 2033.
• By Method, the genotypic segment generated the maximum market share of 42% in 2023.
• By Application, the clinical diagnostics segment captured the maximum market share in 2023.
• By End-use, the hospitals and diagnostic laboratories segment registered the maximum market share 36% in 2023.

Microbial Identification Market Overview

The microbial identification market stands as a vital segment within the broader of life sciences. With the ever-evolving understanding of microbial diversity and its implications across industries ranging from healthcare to agriculture, the need for accurate and efficient microbial identification methodologies has become paramount.

Microbial Identification Market Growth Factors

The growth of the microbial identification market is propelled by an increasing prevalence of infectious diseases globally underscores the critical need for accurate and timely microbial identification in clinical settings. Additionally, the expanding adoption of microbial identification techniques in pharmaceutical and biotechnological research, driven by the pursuit of novel drug discovery and development, further fuels market growth. Technological advancements, particularly the emergence of rapid and high-throughput identification methods like MALDI-TOF MS and NGS, have revolutionized microbial identification, offering unparalleled speed and accuracy. Furthermore, the integration of AI and ML algorithms enhances the efficiency of identification platforms, facilitating real-time decision-making.

U.S. Microbial Identification Market Size 2024 to 2033

The U.S. microbial identification market size was estimated at around USD 1.07 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 3.29 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.88% from 2024 to 2033.

In 2023, the North America microbial identification market held the largest market share at 39%. This significant share can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, the presence of key market players, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure. Notably, in January 2022, BD obtained FDA 510(k) clearance for the BD Kiestra IdentifA system, an automated platform designed to streamline the microbiology bacterial identification testing sample preparation process.

Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on food safety by government and regional authorities, prompting the use of microbial identification techniques to identify and trace microbes in food products. For instance, as reported in a June 2022 article in PubMed, various organizations at the federal, state, and local levels play distinct roles in formulating, executing, and upholding food safety regulations in the U.S. Therefore, ensuring effective collaboration among these entities is crucial for maintaining food safety standards. These factors are anticipated to further drive the growth of the microbial identification market in the North American region

Microbial Identification Market Trends:

• Adoption of Rapid and High-throughput Technologies: Increasing uptake of rapid identification methods such as MALDI-TOF MS and NGS, offering quicker and more accurate results.
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Utilization of AI and ML algorithms to enhance the efficiency of microbial identification platforms, facilitating real-time decision-making and streamlining workflows.
• Shift towards Molecular Techniques: Growing preference for molecular-based identification methods due to their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional culture-based approaches.
• Rising Demand for Point-of-Care Testing: Increasing emphasis on point-of-care microbial identification solutions for faster diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• Expansion of Applications beyond Healthcare: Diversification of microbial identification applications beyond clinical diagnostics to include pharmaceutical and biotechnological research, environmental monitoring, food safety, and more.

Microbial Identification Market Restraints:

• Complexity of Microbial Communities: Challenges associated with the diverse and complex nature of microbial populations, including genetic variability and the presence of unculturable or difficult-to-identify species.
• Limited Sensitivity of Traditional Methods: Inadequate sensitivity of traditional culture-based identification methods, leading to potential underestimation or misidentification of microbial species, particularly in polymicrobial infections or low-burden samples.
• High Initial Investment and Operational Costs: Significant upfront investment required for acquiring advanced microbial identification technologies and infrastructure, coupled with ongoing operational expenses associated with consumables, maintenance, and personnel training.
• Lack of Standardization and Inter-laboratory Variability: Variability in microbial identification results across different laboratories due to differences in methodologies, equipment, and expertise, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and proficiency testing programs.

Product & Services Insights

The consumables segment captured the largest market share of 37% in 2023. Consumables within the microbial identification industry encompass essential items such as culture media, reagents, and test kits, necessitating frequent replenishment. Laboratories and research facilities rely on a consistent supply of these consumables to conduct microbial identification tests. This perpetual demand for replacement fosters a stable revenue stream for manufacturers and suppliers. For example, in August 2023, Lovibond introduced test kits tailored for industrial applications. With increasing emphasis on water resource management and corresponding legal mandates, Lovibond aims to provide comprehensive solutions addressing specific needs and facilitating precise water analyses. These product launches are expected to propel the growth of the segment.

The software and services segment are projected to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2033. Software solutions have gained prominence in microbial identification, with advanced data analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, utilized to analyze and interpret data generated during identification processes. This advancement promises more accurate and efficient results crucial for applications such as clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Consequently, the segment is poised to experience significant growth within the microbial identification industry throughout the forecast period.

Technology Insights

In 2023, the PCR segment dominated the market, holding the largest share. This can be attributed to PCR's remarkable precision, speed, and versatility in detecting and identifying microorganisms. PCR facilitates the amplification of specific DNA sequences, rendering it highly sensitive and capable of detecting even minute amounts of microbial DNA. Its widespread adoption in clinical diagnostics, research laboratories, and various industries stems from its ability to swiftly and accurately identify pathogens. PCR plays a crucial role in disease diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. In August 2022, Bruker Corporation unveiled advancements to its MALDI Biotyper (MBT) platform, introducing novel multiplex PCR infectious disease assays that leverage its exclusive LiquidArray technology. This innovation significantly propelled the growth of the PCR segment.

The next-generation sequencing (NGS) segment is poised to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.75% from 2024 to 2033. NGS technologies enable the sequencing of entire genomes, facilitating highly accurate species identification, even at the strain level. This granular level of analysis is critical in various fields, including clinical diagnostics, epidemiology, and research. In January 2023, Charles River introduced Accugenix Next-Gen Sequencing for Bacterial and Fungal Identification, a pioneering sequencing solution integrated into the Accugenix portfolio of microbial testing services.

Method Insights

In 2023, the genotypic segment commanded the largest market share, accounting for 42%. This segment is projected to experience the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2033. Genotypic methods, which include DNA sequencing and DNA fingerprinting techniques, offer exceptional accuracy and specificity in microbial identification. By identifying microorganisms at the genetic level, these methods often yield more precise results compared to phenotypic approaches. Additionally, genotypic methods find applications across various sectors, including clinical diagnostics, epidemiological studies, environmental assessments, and microbial diversity research. The extensive utility of genotypic methods across diverse applications has been a significant driver behind the segment's growth in the market.

Furthermore, the increasing adoption of precision medicine, which customizes medical treatments based on individual patient characteristics, has bolstered the demand for genotypic identification. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic composition of microorganisms is essential for devising personalized treatment strategies. Consequently, this trend is expected to further propel the growth of the genotypic segment in the microbial identification market throughout the forecast period.

Application Insights

In 2023, the clinical diagnostics segment emerged as the leader in market share. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases is expected to be a primary driver propelling the growth of this segment. Furthermore, advancements in molecular biology techniques, such as PCR and next-generation sequencing, are projected to significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of microbial identification in clinical settings. These technological advancements, coupled with the escalating incidence of infectious diseases, are poised to drive growth within the clinical diagnostics segment, ultimately leading to more efficient and accessible healthcare solutions. Consequently, the market is anticipated to experience growth from 2024 to 2033.

The pharmaceuticals segment is forecasted to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.85% from 2024 to 2033. The pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role in developing treatments and vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. Accurate and rapid microbial identification is imperative during epidemic outbreaks, making it a significant driver for the pharmaceutical sector. With the prevalence of infectious diseases on the rise, the pharmaceutical segment is expected to witness substantial growth within the microbial identification market over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

In 2023, the hospitals and diagnostic laboratories segment commanded the largest market share at 36%. This dominance can be attributed to the high patient volume and the diverse range of clinical scenarios encountered, which consistently drive the demand for microbial identification services. The necessity for rapid and accurate identification of pathogens further solidifies the market share of hospitals and diagnostic laboratories in the microbial identification industry.

On the other hand, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies’ segment is projected to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the forecast period. These sectors play pivotal roles in developing treatments and vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. Rapid and precise microbial identification is indispensable for early detection and containment of outbreaks, as demonstrated during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this anticipated need is expected to significantly propel the growth of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies’ segment from 2024 to 2033.

Microbial Identification Market Key Companies

• bioMérieux SA
• Becton, Dickinson and Company
• ThermoFisher Scientific Inc.
• Bruker Corporation
• Danaher Corporation
• Qiagen N.V.
• Charles River Laboratories
• Wickham Micro Limited
• VWR International LLC. (Avantor Inc.)
• Comp10
• Shimadzu Corporation
• Merck KGaA
• Eurofins Scientific SE
• Biolog Inc

Recent Developments

• In July 2023, Eurofins Scientific unveiled the expansion of its microbial laboratory in Texas, a move set to bolster the growth of the microbial identification market over the forecast period.
• In May 2023, Merck KGaA made a significant investment of around €35 million (USD 38.35 million) for biosafety testing at its facilities in Glasgow and Stirling, Scotland. This investment is aimed at enhancing biosafety testing, a critical stage in the drug development and manufacturing process, to ensure the safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance of pharmaceuticals.
• Also in May 2023, Charles River announced the launch of its Next Generation Sequencing Services, Accugenix NGS, with a focus on bacterial and fungal identification. This service is expected to provide crucial information to pharmaceutical manufacturers regarding microbial control.

Microbial Identification Market Segmentation:

By Product & Services

• Instruments
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • PCR Systems
  • Microarrays
  • Others
• Consumables
  • Reagents & Kits
  • Plates & Media
• Software & Services
  • Identification Services
  • Culture Collection Services
  • Assay Validation Services

By Technology

• Mass Spectrometry
• PCR
• Microarrays
• Next Generation Sequencing
• Others

By Method

• Phenotypic Methods
• Genotypic Methods
• Proteotypic Methods

By Application

• Clinical Diagnostics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food & Beverage Testing
• Environmental Application
• Others

By End-use

• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
• Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories
• Food Testing Laboratories
• Others  

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa