PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1801791
PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1801791
Metagenomic Sequencing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Application(Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostic, Soil Microbiome, Industrial Applications, Ecological and Environmental and Veterinary), by Product & Service (Reagents and Consumables, Instruments, Sequencing Services, and Analysis and Data Interpretation Solutions), by Technology (16s RNA Sequencing, Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing, Whole-Genome Sequencing and De Novo Assembly, and Metatranscrigptomics), and by Workflow (Sample Preparation, Sequencing, and Data Processing and Analysis), Forecast Period (2025-2035)
Industry Overview
Metagenomic sequencing market was valued at $2.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $13.7 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 17.7% during the forecast period (2025-2035). The metagenomic sequencing sector is experiencing sustained growth, largely propelled by advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies that have significantly enhanced accuracy, processing speed, and cost-efficiency, facilitating broader and more rapid adoption across applications. The increasing emphasis on early disease detection and personalized medicine supports the accelerating acceptance of technology. There are more investments in microbiome research, both within healthcare and environmental research, that are stimulating market growth, government stimulus funding, and public/private partnerships promoting innovation in genomics. The rise of infectious disease outbreaks and antibiotic resistance is driving the need for a more comprehensive microbial profile. Furthermore, the expanding biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries across the globe are acting as a driver of biological impact.
Market Dynamics
Falling Cost of Genome Sequencing
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in March 2025, the substantial reduction in the cost of whole genome sequencing from approximately $100 million in 2001 to just over $500 million in the US by 2023 has been a pivotal factor in advancing healthcare innovation, significantly enhancing the capacity to identify accurate diagnoses and develop targeted treatment strategies. This dramatic cost reduction is likely to accelerate the adoption of a number of new genomic technologies, including Metagenomic Sequencing, by reducing the cost and facilitating access to high-resolution genomic analysis. While it is essential to provide equitable access to this technology, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, it remains an issue. Ensuring affordability and accessibility is essential for the global expansion of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM), enabling its full potential to support precision medicine and advance genomic research on an international scale.
Advancements in Long-Read Sequencing
Improvements in long-read sequencing technologies are benefiting the metagenomic sequencing industry. Long-read sequencing technologies are advancing metagenomic sequencing efforts by providing additional tools to accurately assemble complex microbial genomes and better identify structural variants in genome sequences. Long-read sequencing methods can recover long genes as full length and resolve very repetitive or very low-abundance sequences, found in many diverse microbiomes (in environmental, clinical, or industrial contexts). Furthermore, longer read lengths can contribute to an improved taxonomic resolution, providing further insights into the structure of metagenomic communities.
Market Segmentation
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Segment to Lead the Market
One of the primary drivers of growth in the metagenomic sequencing market is the rising adoption of shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing provides information about entire populations of microbes, as it sequences every piece of genetic material from a sample. It can be used to detect low-abundance organisms, emerging (novel) pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes, making it an asset in clinical, environmental, and research contexts. Researchers favour shotgun metagenomic sequencing for its capacity to provide resolution equal to and superior to targeted sequencing methods used for identifying foodborne and bacterial pathogens. Additionally, sequencing costs have decreased globally, and new, stronger bioinformatics tools have enabled broader and quicker uptake across new applications, diagnostics (human and environmental), microbiome research, and epidemiology. For instance, Illumina Inc. has a series of sequencers that are leading the way as a high-throughput shotgun metagenomic sequencing platform. The common denominator for growth in the metagenomic sequencing segment is the need for reliable accuracy and data sources that have density.
Clinical Diagnostic: A Key Segment in Market Growth
As the clinical/diagnostic benchmarking segment develops into a potential dominant driving force behind the metagenomic sequencing market, metagenomic sequencing as a diagnostic platform has the power to detect a wide range of pathogens with no prior knowledge of their presence, identify pathogens, and even indicate a suspected pathogen. The goal here is to enhance patient outcomes by using metagenomic sequencing to inform clinicians of potential treatments to work towards effectively treating infection. Diagnostic metagenomic sequencing can provide clinical insights into antimicrobial resistance, informing the decision-making for clinicians. Additionally, it is an effective diagnostic method of last resort for novel or rare pathogens and for multiple pathogens in patients who are immunocompromised. For instance, devices such as those used by Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION sequencing platform are already being embraced for real-time clinical diagnostics. The quickening pace of infectious diseases, the adoption of diagnostic metagenomic sequencing is indeed happening quickly, with known still-growing potential.
The global metagenomic sequencing market is further divided by geography, including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).
Growing Applications in Medical Research and Healthcare in Europe
According to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), in August 2024, highlighted the substantial growth of the global genomics market, driven by its critical applications in medical research and healthcare. The market is projected to expand by £10.75 billion ($11.6 billion) between 2021 and 2025. In the UK, genomics activities have created an estimated total turnover of £2.4 billion ($2.5 billion) in recent years. The UK has emerged as a global leader in genomic capabilities with the support of the Bioindustry Association (BIA), Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which identified over 140 genomics companies in the UK, with an estimated turnover of £2.4 billion ($2.5 billion). The strong genomic ecosystem was important to the UK's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) and large-scale diagnostics and sequencing on a national level. This strong base, particularly in metagenomic sequencing, is poised for rapid growth as genomic technologies continue to advance and as genomics becomes more widely adopted in both research and clinical diagnostics. This growth will pave the way for innovation and precision medicine on an international scale.
North America Region Dominates the Market with Major Share
The North American market for metagenomic sequencing is experiencing solid expansion as a result of many different factors. The region has a large number of established advanced research agencies. Many biotechnology companies have been established in the area. Public and private sector investments in genomics or precision medicine continue to grow, helping to propel market growth. The rise in prevalence of chronic diseases and infectious diseases is fueling the need to develop novel and advanced diagnostic testing. Policies supporting metagenomic technologies from governments and funding initiatives will facilitate development beyond sequencing technology. The healthcare system in the region is well developed, allowing for early adoption of the latest technology supported by programs and policymakers. The science community around academia and industry promotes collaborations and is helping to deliver scientific advancement more rapidly. Increased awareness of microbial genomics for clinical and environmental applications will assist in sustainable market growth.
The major companies operating in the global metagenomic sequencing market include BGI Genomics, Illumina, Inc., Oxford Nanopore Technologies, QIAGEN N.V., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning.
Recent Developments