Primary Cells Market (By Origin: Human, Animal; By Type: Hematopoietic Cells, Skin Cells, Gastrointestinal Cells; By Application: Regenerative Medicine; By End-use) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024-2033

Primary Cells Market Size and Growth

The global primary cells market size was estimated at around USD 2.05 billion in 2023 and it is projected to hit around USD 5.52 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.42% from 2024 to 2033.

Key Pointers

• North America led the market with the largest market share of 37% in 2023.
• The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth at a CAGR of 12.53% from 2024 to 2033.
• By Origin, the human primary cells segment held the largest revenue share of 64% in 2023.
• By End-use, the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies segment experienced significant revenue growth in 2023.
• By Type, the hematopoietic cells segment held the largest market share of 26% in 2023.
• By Application, the cancer research segment registered the maximum market share of 38% in 2023.
• By Application, the regenerative medicine segment is estimated to expand the fastest CAGR between 2024 to 2033.

Primary Cells Market Overview

The primary cells market is experiencing significant growth driven by an increasing demand for personalized medicine and advanced research in cell biology and regenerative medicine. Primary cells, which are directly isolated from human or animal tissues, offer more accurate biological responses compared to immortalized cell lines, making them invaluable for drug discovery, toxicity testing, and cancer research. The market is bolstered by advancements in cell isolation and culture technologies, rising investments in biopharmaceutical research, and the expanding focus on developing novel therapies.

U.S. Primary Cells Market Size 2024 to 2033

The U.S. primary cells market size was estimated at USD 0.53 billion in 2023 and is expected to surpass around USD 1.42 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 10.42% from 2024 to 2033.

North America dominated the market with a 37% share in 2023 due to growing investments in cancer research and development. With numerous biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the region working on developing new therapies for cancer and chronic diseases, North America is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth at a CAGR of 12.53% from 2024 to 2033. This growth is driven by increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure, rising cancer cases, and a growing focus on R&D activities related to cancer treatments and therapies.

Primary Cells Market Growth Factors

The growth of the primary cells market is driven by several key factors, including the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, which necessitates advanced research for effective treatments. Additionally, the surge in personalized medicine emphasizes the need for biologically relevant cell models. Technological advancements in cell isolation and culture techniques have also made primary cells more accessible and viable for research purposes. Increased funding and investments in biopharmaceutical research further support market expansion. Moreover, the growing focus on regenerative medicine and the development of novel therapies are propelling the demand for primary cells, underscoring their critical role in modern medical research and development.

Primary Cells Market Trends:

• Advancements in Cell Culture Technology: Improved techniques for isolating and culturing primary cells are enhancing their viability and application in research.
• Increasing Adoption in Drug Discovery: Primary cells are being increasingly used for drug screening and toxicity testing due to their ability to provide more physiologically relevant data compared to cell lines.
• Personalized Medicine: The rise of personalized medicine is driving demand for primary cells, as they enable more accurate modeling of individual patient responses.
• Growth in Regenerative Medicine: Expanding research in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering is boosting the use of primary cells for developing innovative therapeutic solutions.
• Expansion of Biopharmaceutical Research: Increased investment in biopharmaceutical R&D is propelling the demand for primary cells in various stages of drug development.
• Focus on Cancer Research: Primary cells are becoming crucial in oncology research, providing better models for studying cancer progression and testing new treatments.

Primary Cells Market Restraints:

• Limited Availability: Obtaining primary cells in sufficient quantities can be challenging, as they are directly sourced from human or animal tissues, leading to supply constraints.
• Variability and Reproducibility: Primary cells can exhibit significant variability between batches, making it difficult to reproduce experimental results consistently.
• Short Lifespan: Unlike immortalized cell lines, primary cells have a limited lifespan in culture, which can restrict long-term studies and repeated experiments.
• Ethical Concerns: The use of human or animal-derived primary cells raises ethical issues, potentially limiting their use in certain regions due to regulatory and ethical guidelines.
• Technical Complexity: The isolation, culture, and maintenance of primary cells require specialized skills and equipment, posing a barrier for some laboratories.

Origin Insights

The human primary cells segment led the market with a 64% share in 2023. These cells are crucial for research and development (R&D) because they closely mimic the physiological state of cells in vivo, providing more biologically relevant data than immortalized cell lines. Their use in cell culture systems significantly enhances the physiological relevance of the generated data, enabling researchers to obtain insights that align more closely with in vivo outcomes. This segment is expected to grow at the fastest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the forecast period. Compared to immortalized cell lines, primary cells offer several advantages, such as maintaining key aspects of their tissue origin, representing donor variability, and generating predictive data.

Additionally, animal cells are essential for studying various biological processes and diseases in vitro. Primary cultures derived from animal tissues closely replicate the physiological state of cells in vivo, providing valuable insights into cellular functions. Animal primary cells are beneficial for physiological relevance, disease modeling, and research applications, and are widely used in fields such as cancer biology, drug development, toxicology studies, and regenerative medicine.

End-use Insights

The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies segment experienced significant revenue growth in 2023. Primary cells are vital tools for these companies in drug discovery, disease modeling, toxicology studies, high-throughput screening projects, and personalized medicine initiatives. For example, in April 2023, AnaBios Corporation acquired Cell Systems, a leading U.S.-based human primary cell and cell culture media company. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance AnaBios' portfolio of human tissues and cells, providing scientists with a broad array of biologically relevant tools to expedite drug discovery and deepen their understanding of cell biology.

Primary cells are also used to screen compounds for efficacy and safety profiles before clinical trials, and to assess new drugs' safety profiles by studying their effects on human tissues without solely relying on animal models. Their physiological relevance helps identify potential drug candidates with higher success rates.

The academic and research institutes segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. In these settings, primary cells are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and understanding various biological processes. They offer a more accurate representation of in vivo cellular behavior than immortalized cell lines. These freshly isolated cells maintain their physiological properties and closely mimic the tissue microenvironment, providing valuable insights into cell function, disease mechanisms, drug responses, and therapeutic development.

Type Insights

The hematopoietic cells segment held the largest market share of 26% in 2023, due to their importance in regenerative medicine research and development. These multipotent primitive cells can develop into all types of blood cells, including myeloid and lymphoid lineage cells. Researchers are actively exploring the use of adult-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in clinical and basic science applications due to their diverse feasibility and significance in stem cell biology. HSCs and their derived progenitors are crucial in regenerative medicine, offering potential treatments for various conditions, including non-hematopoietic tissue regeneration and blood disorders. Their ability to differentiate into diverse progenitors makes them valuable for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

The skeletal and muscle cells segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to their use in studying satellite cell function and regeneration mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets for muscular dystrophies. Researchers from King's College London and University College London recently published findings on a novel tool that uses images to identify optimal cells for implantation, potentially aiding in repairing damaged and diseased muscles.

Application Insights

The cancer research segment led the market with a 38% share in 2023. Primary cells are significant in oncology R&D due to their physiological relevance, genetic diversity, and representation of the tumor microenvironment, offering more accurate and reliable results than cell lines. This allows researchers to study disease mechanisms and drug responses and develop targeted therapies for various cancers. The advantages of primary human cells, such as their ability to closely represent signaling in vivo, make them essential in oncology research.

The regenerative medicine segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Human primary cells play a substantial role in regenerative medicine due to their ability to closely mimic the in vivo biology of cells. Isolated directly from human tissues, these cells provide a more reliable and relevant representation of human biology compared to immortalized cell lines. In October 2020, Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, opened its $120 million expanded Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) facility in Westborough, Massachusetts.

Primary Cells Market Key Companies

• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Merck KGaA
• Lonza
• Cell Biologics, Inc.
• PromoCell
• ZenBio
• STEMCELL Technologies
• AllCells
• American Type Culture Collection
• Axol Biosciences Ltd.

Recent Developments

• March 2024: Axol Bioscience Ltd. launched the axoCells Atrial Cardiomyocyte kit, designed for in-vitro arrhythmia and cardiotoxicity research. This kit is expected to enhance the study of heart-related disorders and improve drug safety testing.
• February 2024: Merck KGaA opened a new distribution center in Brazil to support the country's increasing demand for life science products. This facility aims to improve the availability and distribution of essential scientific supplies in the region.
• October 2023: STEMCELL Technologies expanded its operations by opening a new sales office in Toronto. This expansion is likely to strengthen the company's presence in the Toronto area and boost its influence in the North American market.
• October 2021: Thermo Fisher Scientific launched a system that enables the large-scale growth and culture of functional natural killer (NK) cells, with or without feeder cells, for cell therapy. This development supports advancements in cell-based therapies and immunotherapy.
• February 2019: Lonza and AllCells formed a partnership for the global commercialization of hematopoietic primary cells. This collaboration aims to enhance the availability and use of these cells in various research and clinical applications.

Primary Cells Market Segmentation:

By Origin

• Human Primary Cells
• Animal Primary Cells

By Type

• Hematopoietic Cells
• Skin Cells
• Hepatocytes
• Gastrointestinal Cells
• Lung Cells
• Renal Cells
• Heart Cells
• Skeletal and Muscle Cells
• Other Primary Cells

By Application

• Drug Discovery and Development
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cancer Research
• Others

By End-use

• Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Companies
• Academic & Research Institutes
• CROs

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• MEA