Market Overview
The global epigenetics industry size was valued at USD 2,560.20 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 10,599.51 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 17.10% during the forecast period (2023-2031).
Epigenetics studies gene alterations that may influence the common gene mutation. In addition to environmental factors and nutrition, which influence epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, an increasing number of chronic diseases and disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, are being linked to epigenetic mechanisms. The epigenetic modifications of numerous cancers, diabetes, and even certain viral diseases have been studied. With epigenetic research, many cutting-edge therapeutic targets have been identified, paving the way for creating innovative therapeutic approaches.
Highlights
- The consumables segment is the major contributor to the market by product.
- The oncology segment is the major contributor to the market by application.
- The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment is the major contributor to the market by end-user.
- North America is the major revenue contributor by region.
Market Dynamics
Global Epigenetics Market Drivers
Governmental Initiatives in the Field of Epigenetics are Growing
Epigenetics is a young field of study and the government is trying to grow the epigenetics business. A thriving sector has also been developed due to market participants receiving government permission for their epigenomics goods in the United States, opening up more access opportunities. In a wide range of studies utilized in epigenetics applications, it delivers precise and accurate quantification of target DNA and RNA molecules. A microarray-based assay used in the product's clinical and translational epigenetic applications enables clinical geneticists to find genetic anomalies in illnesses.
Global Epigenetics Market Restraint
High Instrument Prices
Due to their sophisticated features and functions, the equipment needed for epigenetics study is pricy. Compared to other sequencers on the market, Illumina's HiSeq 4000 sequencing machine is the most expensive and widely utilized in epigenetics clinical and translational research. Its annual maintenance cost is roughly USD 70,000, which is more than the actual price. Additionally, a significant barrier to expanding the epigenetics industry in emerging nations is the high cost of conducting tests utilizing PCR and NGS instruments in epigenetic research.
The use of epigenetic processes can thus be restricted. When combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), they can significantly impede market expansion. As a result, buying several expensive genetic instruments will demand substantial sums. End-users with limited resources to employ such pricey instruments, such as pharmaceutical and biotech businesses, academic research labs, and specialty laboratories, find it challenging to afford such systems.
Global Epigenetics Market Opportunities
Technological Development Leading to Epigenetic Innovation
In recent years, epigenetics has become one of the critical areas of precision medicine research that is moving quickly. However, research into the therapeutic functions of chromatin-related immune system mechanisms is still in its early phases. The method researchers examine epigenetic alterations in chromosomal conformation and transcription factor binding on a genomic sequence scale has changed due to ChIP-Seq tests. ChIP-Seq does, however, have significant drawbacks. Low cell counts make it challenging to precipitate enough material to produce high-quality next-generation sequencing data.
However, the recent technological advancement known as ChIL, or Chromatin Integration Labeling, has eliminated the difficulty. Instead of preparing chromatin granules for the target of interest and adding the ChIL probe, ChIL uses a prime antibody. A ChIL probe is a secondary antibody that recognizes the primary antibody in combination with the DNA sequences needed for library creation, amplification, and the Tn5 transposase.
Regional Analysis
The global epigenetics market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
North America Dominates the Global Market
North America is the major revenue contributor and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 16.45% during the forecast period. Government measures to establish a link between cancer patient health and epigenetics-related biomarkers have considerably improved the region's overall market environment. To encourage the adoption of epigenetics products and services by pharmaceutical and biotechnological firms, the U.S. FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been at the forefront of developing effective and acceptable guidelines and rules.
In Asia-Pacific, the market is anticipated to remain in an intense growth phase due to the dramatically increasing number of cancer cases and rising health-related awareness among people; however, an unequal economic balance among the region's nations acts as a significant barrier to the increasing adoption. However, due to the considerable commercial growth of emerging companies, high-profile publications, and the formation of multidisciplinary consortiums aiming to accelerate standardization and harmonization of regulatory consensus for an emerging field, growth is anticipated to be extraordinarily strong in the regional market. Many businesses, including BGI and Novogene, collaborate with academic institutions and clinical laboratories to strengthen their assays for epigenetics detection.
Due to the exponential rise in chronic diseases requiring accurate diagnosis, Europe held more than 25% in 2022. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain are among the European nations putting out significant efforts to advance research programs in these fields. Furthermore, the European region has always been at the forefront of research to develop diagnostics globally because of the substantial funding.
With a specific focus on improving clinical care, Germany has been at the forefront of the precision diagnostics revolution, assuring widespread acceptance of technology connected to epigenetic diagnostics.
The growing awareness of the importance of micro-RNA in genetic changes, the prevalence of chronic diseases, the rising purchasing power of consumers in emerging markets like LAMEA, and the increased availability of advanced diagnostic tests for the general public are the main factors driving the growth of the epigenetics market. Furthermore, the regional economy is prepared to experience trends that will put it on par with the developed areas of the world as established and developing businesses target LAMEA for exponential expansions.
Additionally, research focused on understanding the role of epigenomics in cancer diagnosis and therapy has been very interesting in the MEA region due to the region's continually rising cancer prevalence.
Segmental Analysis
The global epigenetics industry is segmented by product, application, and end-user.
Based on product, the global market is bifurcated into consumables, enzymes, reagents, and others.
The consumables segment is the major contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 15.10% during the forecast period. Consumables are used for disease assessment, including kits and assays. Epigenetics is gradually becoming a standard of practice for researchers in differentiating malignant and non-cancerous cells due to developments in DNA methylation. The high market share of consumables in the epigenetics product segments is primarily attributed to the rising demand for assays and kits, the expansion of studies on DNA methylation and chromatin modifications, the increasing incidence of cancer, and the growing importance of adopting precision medicine approaches, among other factors.
Kits and assays are primarily used to create sequencing libraries for various application-based investigations on DNA methylation, histone modification, and mRNA analysis. Clinicians and researchers can find underlying prognostic indicators commonly linked to malignant and non-cancerous disorders using assays and kits based on PCR- and NGS-based technology. Medical professionals can identify subtypes of infectious diseases based on the phenotype of cells and perform DNA-based histocompatibility testing using assays and kits based on epigenetics. They can use it to track the efficiency of their treatment plans. Additionally, these businesses are strategically developing kits and assays. For instance, Guardant Health introduced a liquid biopsy test in 2019 for translational research. Through a single blood sample, the test may detect genetic changes and epigenomic markers, which aids in the early diagnosis of cancer. the instrument sector can be further subdivided into the following categories: mass spectrometers; next-generation sequencers; qPCRs; syndicators; and others. Kits are typically used to create sequencing libraries for various application-based investigations on mRNA analysis, histone modification, and DNA methylation.
Enzymes and reagents are used in the study of epigenetics. Reagents and enzymes handle various mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modification. Chemicals and enzymes alter histones and chromatin. The proteins that recognize the gene modification or mutation are known as the "readers," while the enzymes are known as the "writers." To better comprehend the histone code and its function in biology and human disease, the "erasers," or enzymes that remove them, are crucial targets for manipulation. Histones, buffers, and primers are reagents, whereas DNA polymerases, DNA-modifying enzymes, DNA ligases, methyltransferases, acetylases, and other enzymes are chemicals. By altering the chromatin and histones, chemicals are used to carry out a variety of actions, including DNA methylation and histone modification.
Based on application, the global market is bifurcated into oncology, metabolic diseases, immunology, and cardiovascular diseases.
The oncology segment is the major contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 16.50% during the forecast period. To produce the malignant phenotype, cancer genetics, and epigenetics work hand in hand. Epigenetic modifications can result in gene mutations and vice versa. Mutations are frequently seen in genes that modify the epigenome. Consequently, epigenetics contribute to the emergence of cancer (carcinogenesis). The first epigenetic abnormalities detected in cancer were significant changes in DNA methylation, which causes cancer. As a result, the epigenetics field in oncology is projected to grow as cancer incidence rises.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic syndrome are examples of metabolic diseases. The interaction between the human epigenome and the genetic changes and numerous environmental factors, such as dietary changes and changes in lifestyle or metabolic status, emphasizes the significance of epigenetic processes as underlying mechanisms in the etiology of various disorders, such as MetS. Additionally, several research projects have clarified how epigenetic processes might be used to treat metabolic illnesses, including DNA methylation, RNA modifications, and histone modifications. Further, researchers are now focusing on determining how epigenetic changes affect the etiology of obesity and other metabolic illnesses.
Immune cell epigenetics research examines modifications to genetic function that last beyond immune cell division and do not entail changing the nucleotide sequence. DNA methylation and chromatic remodeling are epigenetic mechanisms that give cellular memory its chemical foundation. The study of changes in gene activity that endure after immune cell division and do not entail changing the nucleotide sequence is known as epigenetics in immune cells. DNA methylation, chromosomal conformation, and chromatic remodeling are epigenetic mechanisms that offer a biological underpinning for cellular modification in immunological disorders. Autoimmune disease pathophysiology has been intimately connected to disease-causing gene mutations (rare) or a combination of genetic vulnerability and epigenetic changes brought on by environmental exposure.
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and post-translational changes of histone tails, significantly influence cardiovascular illnesses. The improvement in patient's quality of life has been mainly attributed to the epigenetic alterations in CVDs and how these might be used as diagnostics (i.e., biomarkers) and treatments. Changes in the epigenetic environment affect cardiovascular illnesses by changing cardiovascular homeostasis.
Based on end-user, the global market is bifurcated into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and other end users.
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment is the major contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 16.40% during the forecast period. Pharmaceutical businesses receive genomic information, including genetic information, from testing service providers. The key end-users in the worldwide epigenetics market are pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical firms. Pharmaceutical companies take advantage of the genetic resources from the service providers to discover novel drug targets, thereby further developing novel therapies for complex diseases to fulfill unmet medical needs. Pharmaceutical firms also use their manufacturing and commercialization processes to market therapeutic goods.
Academic and research institutions are at the forefront of being the leading epigenetics product developers. Current research on cancer genetic alterations and their presence in circulating biomarkers in the non-invasive sample types has become impressively sophisticated with the incorporation of technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Research is being widely conducted on deciphering the intricacies associated with the isolation and detection of circulating cancer biomarkers and their role in early cancer screening and diagnosis to improve cancer survival rates, further enabling precision medicine. Moreover, research in the field of epigenetics is anticipated to demonstrate correlations through the incorporation of advanced sequencing and bioinformatic technologies.
Contract research organizations (CROs) primarily use epigenetics testing services for purposes related to bioanalysis in support of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, as well as research and academic institutions. Also, research and educational institutions are outsourcing identification and sequencing projects to CROs to cut down on research costs. As a result, CROs make up a sizeable portion of the market's end users for epigenetics.
Top Key Players
Illumina Inc.
Abcam Plc.
Active Motif Inc.
Agilent Technologies Inc.
Hologic Inc.
Zymo Research
Merck Millipore
PerkinElmer Inc.
QIAGEN N.V.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Others
