3D cell culture is group of biological cells that are allowed to grow in artificial media in all three dimensions. It is used in drug discovery and tissue engineering, owing to their property of providing predictive data for in vivo tests and physiologically relevant information. 3D cell cultures have more stability and longer lifespan as compared to 2D cell culture system, which makes them suitable for long term studies long term effects of the drug on cells. 3D cell culture systems are mostly grown in bioreactors or 3D cell colonies. Studies have reported that they function similar to natural cells due to which they have applications in cancer research.

3D Cell Culture Market – Dynamics

High prevalence of various types of cancers and the need for affordable and effective treatment are the major factor driving growth of the 3D cell culture system market. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), around 14.1 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2012, resulting in around 8.2 million fatalities. Around 19.3 million new cases of cancer are projected to be diagnosed by 2025. Similarly according to the data published by World Health Organization (WHO), cancer accounted for 8.8 million of deaths worldwide in 2015.

Rising product launch by the market players is expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in February 2017, Greiner Bio-One North America, Inc., launched CELLdisc a device for the production of mammalian cells from research to industrial scale.

The 3D cultures is majorly used for testing efficiency of new drug molecule, which can be used for treatment of chronic diseases. This increases adoption of 3D cell culture by pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries, which in turn is driving growth of 3D cell culture market. Increasing investment in healthcare, development of optimized 3D assays, R&D, and other research related activities are also fuelling growth of 3D cell culture market. For instance, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), 2016, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies invested an estimated US$ 58.8 billion in research and development in 2015, which was the majority of all biopharmaceutical R&D spending in the U.S.

3D Cell Culture Market – Regional Insights

Regional segmentation of 3D cell culture market comprises North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Middle East. Advances in drug discovery is the major factor driving growth of the market in Asia Pacific region. Increasing government investments in healthcare sector, low operating costs of industries, investments by pharmaceutical and analytical instrumental companies in 3D cell culture projects to meet the demand for cancer treatments and organs development are some other factors fuelling growth of 3D cell culture market in this region.

Major players in market are focused on providing the product according to specific requirements of researchers. For instance, Thermo Fisher scientific has collaborated with Applikon Biotechnology and launched new single use bioreactor controller platforms-i-control and ez-control. Whereas the novel concept of customized 3D cell culture product has helped the small companies to enter in 3D cell culture industry. Major market players are adopting strategies such as agreement and partnership to maintain the leading position in market. For instance, in May 2018, Greiner Bio-One North America, Inc., announced the acquisition of 3D Cell Culture Technology from Nano 3D Biosciences, Inc., for offering advanced method of cell culture in research. Similarly, in July 2015, Lonza Group Ltd, and TAP Biosystems collaborated for expansion of Lonza’s presence in 3D cell culture market and for the distribution of Loza’s RAFT 3D cell culture systems

3D Cell Culture Market Taxonomy:

By Product Type:

Scaffold based platforms

Macro-Porous scaffolds



Micro porous scaffolds



Nano porous scaffolds



Scaffold free platforms



Solid scaffolds

Bioreactors

Gels

Microchips

Services

By Application:

Drug Discovery

Stem cell research

Cancer research

Regenerative medicine

By End User:

Academic Institutes

Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies

Contract Research Laboratories

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East

Africa

Key players in the 3D cell culture market:

Some of the key players operating in the 3D cell culture market includes 3D Biotek, Advanced Biomatrix, Becton and Dickinson Company (BD), corning Incorporated, Global cell solutions Inc., Thermo Fisher scientific Inc., VWR Corporation, Nanofiber solutions, Lonza Group Ltd., Synthecon incorporated, and Tecan Trading AG.