Global Microcarrier Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The microcarrier market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.55% during the forecast period to reach US$1,598.066 million by 2027, from US$743.750 million in 2020.

Microcarriers are microscopic beads or spheres used to increase the surface area in tissue culture for the attachment and yield of anchorage-dependent cells and act as a support matrix, which allows the growth of adherent cells in bioreactors. Microcarriers are extensively used in the large-scale commercial production of biologics and vaccines to grow virus-generating or protein-producing adherent cell populations. The growth in the microcarriers market may be attributed to the rapid growth in the biologics and biosimilar industries. Rising demand for cell-based vaccines along with technological advancements will positively impact the market for microcarriers. However, the high cost of cell biologics and cell-based therapies might hamper the growth of the market during the given forecast period. Growth limitations of high-density microcarrier cultures will also restrain the growth of the microcarrier market during the anticipated period. Further, the microcarrier market is segmented into product, application, end-user, and geography.

The Microcarriers market will grow due to the rising demand for cell-based vaccines.

Due to the growing number of new virus outbreaks such as influenza, monkeypox, Ebola, and COVID-19 among others, the demand for vaccines is increasing globally, consequently increasing the demand for microcarriers in the market and supporting the growth of the microcarrier market during the forecast period. For instance, the World Health Organization's Disease Outbreak News (DONs), which provided confirmed acute public health events of potential events of concern reported an Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2022. The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the outbreak following the confirmed laboratory test via RT-PCR in a fatal case in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province.

During the same period, Uganda also witnessed a confirmed 18 cases as of 25th September 2022 Ebola virus which were caused by Sudan Virus. Such increasing cases of infectious diseases and the growing risk of pandemics are the prime factors driving the demand for vaccines worldwide. Moreover, in June 2022, just after a few months of recovery from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak of monkeypox in different countries alarmed the vaccine developer companies to take measures to control the spread of the new virus. Further, many organizations are putting efforts to develop vaccines for the rising disease. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions in its Vaccine considerations summary updated in September 2022, that the JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for the prevention of monkeypox and smallpox diseases. Further, the ACAM2000 Vaccines has been approved for immunization against smallpox which is made available for use against monkeypox under Expanded Access Investigational New Drug protocol, mentions the CDC.

The microcarrier market is expected to be dominated by the North American region, which is expected to hold a significant share of the Microcarrier market. The rising research and development activities, gene therapies, and biologics, coupled with technological advancement and investment in cell-based research in the countries like the US. Additionally, the prevalence of established pharmaceutical companies, who continually work to expand their geographic reach and promote the widespread marketing of their vaccines, is anticipated to spur market expansion in this region. Moreover, this region will grow due to the increased need for immunizations during pandemics. due to the rise in the prevalence of infectious and cancerous illnesses. On the other hand, Europe holds the second largest share of the microcarrier market during the anticipated period owing to the increasing number of leading firms in the market and growing usage of technical innovations. It is anticipated that increased R&D utilization will enhance product development and market demand in this region.

Product offering

• Thermo Fisher Scientific offers the HarvestainerTM Microcarrier Separation system which is an ideal solution for the separation of microcarrier beads during adherent cell culture production. It is an ideal system for smaller-scale as well as larger-scale applications for in-line microcarrier separation. In comparison to conventional procedures, the system helps to boost product yields while lowering the need for clean-in-place, steam-in-place, and water for injection.
• Corning incorporated offers Corning® Microcarriers for Bioprocess scale-up that are designed to simplify the scale-up processes. The microcarriers are provided in closed systems packaging, are sterile, and are prepared for use with bioreactors. The microcarriers are additionally surface-treated to improve cell adhesion and increase cell production and survival.

COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic had a positive impact on the microcarrier market. The virus spread rapidly through transmission. Pharmaceutical companies stepped forward to develop vaccines to combat the rising risk of COVID-19. Many organizations pushed their efforts of research and development to develop vaccines and drugs against the coronavirus. Furthermore, government and world organizations provided funding to increase the research on vaccines for the deadly coronavirus, which further increased the demand for cell culture products, including microcarrier products during the pandemic.

Market Segmentation:

• By Product type

Equipment

Consumables

Reagents

Microcarrier Beads

Others

• By Application

Biopharmaceutical Production

Cell and gene therapy

Others

• By End-Users

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Companies

Research Institutes

Contract Research Organizations

• By Geography

North America

• USA
• Canada
• Mexico

South America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others

Europe

• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Others

Middle East and Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others

Asia Pacific

• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Others