Biochip Market

Market Overview

The global biochip market size was valued at USD 7.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 26.2 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The growing desire for personalized treatment and targeted therapeutics is a significant driver of the biochip market share.

Biochips, or microarrays or lab-on-a-chip devices, are miniature platforms for studying biological samples such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells. These devices comprise a solid substrate, usually glass or silicon, on which hundreds to millions of microscopic spots or wells are arranged in a grid pattern. Each spot can be functionalized with unique biological molecules such as DNA probes, antibodies, or enzymes, allowing many targets to be detected and analyzed in the same experiment.

The growing demand for speedy, accurate, and scalable diagnostic and research solutions is one of the primary drivers of biochip market growth. Like their counterparts in traditional diagnostic methods, Biochips are essential in improving data collecting and analysis efficiency, contributing to advances in healthcare and science.

Furthermore, user-friendliness is a distinguishing aspect of biochips. It ensures they are simple to use, integrate easily into current systems, and scale for various applications ranging from research labs to clinical diagnostics. The shift from traditional diagnostic procedures to biochip technology is analogous to the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which promotes innovation and improves resource efficiency. Regulatory frameworks for healthcare, data integrity, and personalized medicine are increasing the demand for dependable, efficient solutions such as biochips. These factors collectively drive the biochip industry's expansion, establishing it as a crucial sector in healthcare and biotechnological research.

Highlights

• DNA Chips account for the largest share of the market by type.
• Biotech and Pharmaceutical Companies dominate the market by end-user.

Market Dynamics

Global Biochip Market Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological conditions has increased the need for diagnostic instruments capable of early identification and accurate disease monitoring. Biochips enable multiplexed investigation of biomarkers linked with numerous diseases, allowing for more precise diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized treatment selection. As healthcare systems worldwide prioritize illness prevention and management, biochip-based diagnostics are projected to gain traction.

According to the American Cancer Society, the United States is predicted to have over 2 million new cancer cases in 2024, a record-breaking figure. This is despite a decrease in cancer mortality since 1991 as a result of earlier detection, better treatment, and less smoking. However, six of the top ten malignancies are rising, threatening substantial achievements. Biochips can identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and tumor-derived exosomes in blood samples, allowing for non-invasive cancer detection and surveillance.

Furthermore, biochip-based tests can characterize tumor genomes for somatic mutations, copy number changes, and gene expression patterns, assisting doctors in selecting targeted medicines and tracking treatment outcomes in cancer patients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the world's second most significant cause of mortality, accounting for around one in every six fatalities. Cancer is expected to kill 10 million people by 2023, equating to around 26,300 deaths every day. The cancer burden is predicted to rise by around 60% over the next two decades, putting additional strain on healthcare systems, individuals, and communities. As the worldwide cancer burden increases, so will the demand for biochip technologies for oncology applications, resulting in market expansion in the future years.

Global Biochip Market Restraints

High Development and Implementation Cost

The initial investment for developing biochip technology, which includes research and development costs, equipment expenses, and regulatory compliance, can be significant. Furthermore, the cost of incorporating biochip-based assays into existing laboratory processes, such as staff training, infrastructure modifications, and quality control procedures, may pose barriers to adoption, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Depending on the test, Biochips can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. For example, the Hydra-1K biochip might cost USD 7 to USD 15 for each test. DNA sequencing is one of the most expensive tests, costing up to USD 700,000. 

Following research, integrating biochip-based assays in clinical laboratories or healthcare settings necessitates additional investments in infrastructure, training, and quality assurance procedures. Laboratories must purchase biochip instruments, reagents, and ancillary equipment and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality control techniques. Training laboratory personnel on biochip operation, data analysis, and result interpretation is critical to ensuring accurate and reliable test results. Furthermore, human biochips cost roughly USD 1,000, while chips for mice, yeast, and fruit flies cost between USD 400 and USD 500. The expenses of developing and implementing biochip technologies impede market entrance and acceptance, especially for smaller enterprises and resource-constrained environments. 

Global Biochip Market Opportunity

Expanding Application in Personalized Medicine

The emergence of customized medicine techniques, driven by advances in genomics, molecular diagnostics, and targeted medicines, opens up new prospects for biochip technologies. Biochips allow for the investigation of individual genetic variants, biomarker profiles, and treatment responses, thereby advancing precision medicine projects in oncology, pharmacogenomics, and infectious illnesses. As healthcare systems promote tailored treatment strategies and patient-centered care, the need for biochip-based and companion diagnostics will likely grow. For example, in January 2022, a team of researchers from the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) created a device that uses a biochip to identify the COVID-19 virus. According to the researchers, a biochip is as fast as an antigen test and as precise as PCR testing. Combining biochip technology and numerous applications is expected to accelerate biochip market growth. 

For example, in March 2022, Nutcracker, a US-based firm, raised USD 167 million in Series C funding to improve their RNA production platform based on a biochip. Biochip-based technology is expected to help develop RNA-based therapies. The biochip and nanoparticle delivery technology helps to create comprehensive isolated and automated manufacturing.

Thus, as personalized medicine becomes more widely used in clinical practice, the need for biochip technologies for molecular and companion diagnostics will likely rise, driving market growth worldwide.

Regional Analysis

The global biochip market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global biochip market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.3% over the forecast period. North America is predicted to increase significantly during the forecast period due to essential market players in the region and the development of healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, the area has seen significant collaboration with healthcare corporations that are heavily investing in R&D in microarray technology. For example, in September 2022, Illumina Inc. introduced the NovaSeq X Series, a new generation of production-scale sequencers that enable quicker, more powerful, and sustainable sequencing. NovaSeq X Plus, a groundbreaking new technology, can generate over 20,000 whole genomes per year, 2.5 times the throughput of previous sequencers, significantly increasing genomic discovery and clinical insights to understand disease better and, eventually, alter patient lives. 

Additionally, microfluidic technology is also frequently used in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for various applications, including molecular diagnostics, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases, in resource-limited settings. For example, a paper published in the journal Frontiers of Bioengineering and Biotechnology in January 2021 said that Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) are commonly utilized in point-of-care testing and can be used to diagnose and prognostic diseases such as cancer by finding specific biomarkers. Using antibodies and nucleic acid amplification, LFAs have been routinely used to detect various diseases and proteins. Thus, recent breakthroughs in microfluidics research aim to create integrated devices that are self-contained, automated, simple to use, and fast.

Furthermore, the region's high incidence of chronic diseases is helping to drive growth in this area. For example, researchers at the Canadian Cancer Society predict that 239,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023, with 86,700 dying from the condition. This number excludes non-melanoma skin cancer cases. Similarly, the IDF lists Mexico as one of 23 nations in the IDF NAC region with more than 51 million diabetics. Diabetes is Mexico's second most significant cause of mortality, with an estimated incidence of 15.2% (12.8 million adults). The most prevalent complications reported by survey participants were eye (46%), foot (38%), and oral health (37%) issues. As a result, the region's large number of people living with chronic conditions is helping to expand the analyzed industry.

In recent years, the interest in high throughput screening (HTS) technology in academic research has skyrocketed in the United States. For example, in October 2022, Ginkgo Bioworks announced a collaboration with Merck to develop up to four enzymes for use as biocatalysts in Merck's active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production activities. Ginkgo will use this collaboration to leverage its extensive experience in cell engineering and enzyme design and its capabilities in automated high throughput screening, manufacturing process development/optimization, bioinformatics, and analytics to deliver optimal strains for targeted biocatalyst expression.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 15.9% over the forecast period. China and India will be primarily responsible for the region's rapid expansion. The primary determinants of industrial growth in the area are increased accessibility to technology, a big patient pool, and improvements to healthcare infrastructure. The region's growth is also fueled by mature businesses' increased adoption of biochip technology outsourcing to emerging countries to reduce total manufacturing costs.

The European market is predicted to grow at a consistent revenue CAGR in the global biochip market throughout the forecast period due to increased acceptance of biochips in genomics and proteomics, particularly in the UK. The development of genomics projects generates a significant demand for the market throughout the region. For example, in December 2018, Genomics England and the National Health Service (NHS) launched the 100,000 Genomes Project to reach 5 million genetic tests by 2024. In May 2021, Sphere Fluidics, a life science business based in the United Kingdom, created microfluidic biochip technology that can be used to analyze isolated sales.

Segmental Analysis

The global biochip market is segmented based on type and end-user.

The market by type is further segmented into DNA Chips, Protein Chips, Lab-on-chips, Tissue Arrays, and Cell Arrays.

The DNA chips segment led the global industry, accounting for more than 35% of total revenues. DNA chips, also called DNA microarrays or gene chips, are biochip platforms used to examine DNA sequences. These chips comprise small patches carrying immobilized DNA probes that hybridize with complementary DNA targets found in biological samples. Applications for DNA chips include gene expression profiling, SNP genotyping, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and DNA sequencing. They allow researchers to investigate gene expression patterns, discover genetic variants, and understand the molecular pathways behind diseases.

In addition, they are widely utilized in academic research and clinical diagnostic tests for various disorders. For example, Roswell Biotechnologies, a San Diego biotech startup, plans to produce a molecular microchip to analyze an individual's molecule in November 2021. The technology will transform disease detection techniques, drug research, and health monitoring. The company intends to use the technology to improve DNA sequencing. In 2022, the cancer diagnosis and treatment segment held a considerable share of the DNA chip market. Biochips are expected to replace traditional medical diagnostic functions, including cancer detection. 

Furthermore, they are inexpensive, quick, and widely available, allowing advanced cancer detection in various settings. It also makes it easier to implement telemedicine in the market. Similarly, Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology developed a biochip capable of detecting drug-resistant cancer cells. 

Lab-on-chips (LOC), on the other hand, is likely to have the quickest CAGR throughout the forecast period. As the use of lab-on-chips in medicine grows, it is expected to help with early diagnosis, drug patents, and personalized therapy. As a result, low costs and low sample volumes are predicted to increase the application of LOC technology in point-of-care diagnostics in emerging countries.

Furthermore, the industry has seen frequent advancements in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platform-based immunoassays. Advanced LOC platforms include microfluidic chips, paper, lateral flow, electrochemistry, and novel biosensor concepts. The fastest-growing demand for point-of-care diagnosis will likely fuel the segment during the forecast period. For example, in February 2022, Onera Health introduced the Onera Biomedical Lab-on-Chip, an ultra-low-power biosignal sensor subsystem for wearable devices. This tiny biomedical chip is intended to process numerous biosignals, creating enormous opportunities for health devices. As a result, such advances are accelerating the expansion of this market. 

The market is further bifurcated by End-Users into Biotech and Pharmaceutical Companies, Academic and Research Institutions, Hospitals and Diagnostics Centers.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms segment had the most significant revenue share of over 60% in 2023. Biotech and pharmaceutical industries are critical biochip technology consumers, with applications including drug discovery, development, and personalized treatment. The firms are conducting extensive research and development to integrate biochip technology into various health applications. Given the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry, corporations need to find a way to afford to invest extensively in researching medications that are likely to fail FDA approval. Biochips, on the other hand, are expected to open up new avenues for medication discovery and development. Biochips are used to develop biomarkers in the drug discovery process, especially for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis and gene expression profiling.

The academic and research institutes' end-use category is expected to grow the fastest during the projection period. Educational and research institutions contribute significantly to advancing biochip technologies through fundamental research, technology development, and translational studies. Researchers in academic institutions use biochips for various applications, including genomics, proteomics, cell biology, and tissue engineering. Biochip platforms allow for hypothesis-driven research, biomarker discovery, and mechanistic examinations of disease processes.

The institutions are undertaking research and development on the technology and exploring other biochip applications. For example, in January 2022, a team of specialists from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), and other institutions created an improved biochip that simplifies the manufacturing process of in vitro skin in laboratories. The device is planned to be used for medical and cosmetic tests.

Recent Developments

• January 2024- A microelectronics developer, Archer Materials, started the year on a good note by developing a room-temperature quantum computing device and a biochip capable of detecting several diseases.
• April 2024- Agilent received European IVDR Class C certification for the GenetiSure Dx Postnatal Assay.