Stem Cells Market

Market Overview

The global stem cells market size was estimated at USD 11.89 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 31.95 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.6% through the forecast period (2022-2030). 

Recent developments in tissue engineering techniques and stem cell treatments have the potential to attract attention for the treatment of several ailments. Additionally, the growth of stem cell banking facilities and the ensuing improvements in the production, storage, and characterization of stem cells are anticipated to improve the global market's volumetric capabilities, which will directly result in an increase in revenue for this market on a larger scale. Other factors that support the anticipated development in demand for stem cells during the projected period include technological advancements in the parent and ancillary markets for stem cell utilization.

Market Dynamics

Global Stem Cells Market Drivers

Rising Funds for Accelerating Stem Cell Research

The stem cell industry is expected to grow considerably over the forecast period due to increased healthcare expenditure in developed countries and improvisation in healthcare facilities in developing countries. Government initiatives such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and increased access to healthcare facilities are responsible for the growth of this market in developed countries.

In developing countries, initiatives such as public healthcare programs increase the demand for biopharmaceutical products. Robust funding to biotechnology companies is expected to boost the stem cell market owing to the use of different biotechnological kits and products in cell development, collection, characterization, and storage processes in stem cell banking. Furthermore, the market is expected to grow due to extensive applications in different fields, such as gene therapy, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.

The International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI), coordinated by the UK Stem Cell Bank, aims to create a global network of stem cell banks by supporting existing banks and encouraging the development of new banks in member countries. Organizations such as these aid in issuing guidelines, raising funds, and generating a workforce for production, propelling market growth.

Ongoing Developments in Regenerative Medicine

The market for stem cells is anticipated to grow in response to the rising demand for regenerative treatments. Numerous disorders, including Parkinson's and Crohn's, can be treated with regenerative therapies. It can be used in various specialties, including neurology, orthopedics, cancer, hepatology, diabetes, injuries, and hematology. Other factors influencing market expansion include the growing geriatric population and the rising need for regenerative therapies for early illness diagnosis and prevention. The regular operation of cells can be restored with the aid of regenerative drugs.

The introduction of novel tools and solutions that are accurate and can be used conveniently has led to the development of pioneering technologies leading to advancements in the field of regenerative medicine. Generating autologous cells targeted toward transplantation is one of the most relevant technological innovations in regenerative medicine. This technology incorporates alarm systems as well as automated monitoring of the transplantation of autologous cells. Active participation of entities such as co.don AG (headquartered in Germany), via its Integrated Isolator Technology (IIT), is expected to drive market growth.

Global Stem Cells Market Restraint

Ethical Concerns Related to Stem Cell Research

Research on human embryonic stem cells creates a moral dilemma. It involves choosing between human life and the prevention of suffering. The destruction of a human embryo occurs during the extraction of embryonic stem cells, which presents ethical questions. In addition, one of the biggest obstacles to the commercialization of such services is the strict laws governing the acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for goods or materials used in research. To prevent the use of tissue for illicit purposes or the proxy diagnosis of diseases to acquire insurance, it is essential to seek ethical approval before storing cell lines and tissues in biorepositories. Additionally, the use of embryonic stem cells for research and prognosis is controversial, limiting market expansion in some places.

Global Stem Cells Market Opportunities

Growing Demand for Stem Cell Banking

Preserving stem cells for future treatment with the help of public & private umbilical cord & tissue banking has proved profitable in the past; this practice has already gained immense acceptance offering significant momentum to the stem cells market. In addition, biospecimen banking is further expanding to provide private banking services for adult cells. This includes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Factors such as broadening acceptance toward stem cells, regenerative medicine, viable commercial models developed by existing players in the cord blood market, and expanding global initiatives to encourage research on stem cells are expected to boost the adult stem cell banking market growth.

The ongoing pandemic has created a paradigm shift toward finding innovative treatment solutions. Multiple clinical trials have witnessed progress post the pandemic outbreak in efficacy and safety testing of umbilical stem cells in treating respiratory syndromes attributed to SARS-COV-2 infection. In addition, expanding clinical applications of umbilical stem cells across autism, spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and osteoarthritis are further set to propel the demand for stem cell banking. The vast untapped potential of cord tissue stem cells provides lucrative opportunities to professionals operating in storage and banking.

Regional Analysis

By Region, the global stem cells market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, LAMEA

North America dominated the market during the forecast period. Stem cells represent an essential research tool in biomedical and life science research. The North American stem cells market was the largest in 2020, owing to growing FDA approval for stem cell therapeutics and increasing government funding. For instance, in 2011, the U.S. stem cells government granted a budget of approximately USD 2.01 billion, whereas the budget was 1.33 billion in 2006. In 2015, the University of Toronto's stem cell researchers won a grant of USD 114 million from the federal government, which is expected to identify cures for diseases such as blindness, diabetes, cancer, liver, and heart disease. Unwavering public pressure to realize the full potential of stem cells for medicinal and commercial applications is further expected to propel market growth over the forecast period. Organizations such as CellCAN Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Network, the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM), and the Stem Cell Network (SCN) have positioned Canada to excel in the coming years.

Europe is the second largest region. Advancements in stem cell technology and molecular biology have introduced new technologies and increased research activities to replace diseased cells and generate new tissues. Over the forecast period, increasing government approvals and favorable government policies are expected to increase the demand for the stem cell market in European nations. For instance, in December 2014, the European regulators approved the first stem cell therapy in Britain, wherein the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Holoclar for treating limbal stem cell deficiency. In this treatment, new cells are grown using patients' healthy stem cells and then transplanted into the eyes. Furthermore, in October 2015, a Europe-wide project was launched that used stem cells to treat osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease). The UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Great Ormond Street Hospital supervised the project (GOSH).

Asia Pacific stem cells market is projected to expand at the highest CAGR due to the increasing patient population in the region and the growing need for fast-track regulatory approval processes for cell-based products. In July 2013, the Japanese Health Ministry approved the first clinical trial on humans with induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells made through the Nobel Prize-winning technique of Shinya Yamanaka. Furthermore, stem cell therapies are projected to play a crucial role in various areas such as orthopedics, hematological disorders, spinal cord injuries, incontinence, cancer, liver disorders, wound care, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, therapeutic manufacturers are likely to identify the relevance of stem cells in other areas and merge them with existing applications to increase treatment options.

Segmental Analysis

The global stem cells market is segmented by product, application, technology, therapy, and region

By Product, the global market is segmented into adult stem cells (hematopoietic, mesenchymal, neural, epithelial/skin, and others), human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), very small embryonic-like stem cells. The adult stem cells segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to register a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period. Because adult stem cells do not necessitate the killing of embryos like embryonic stem cells do, they have a more significant market share. Furthermore, using adult stem cells has no danger of graft rejection.

The demand for adult stem cells is anticipated to increase even more due to the creation of cell banking services and developments in bio- and cryopreservation. Adult stem cell research is expanding as a result of fewer ethical questions. The benefits of adult stem cell banking include the opportunity to undergo an autologous transformation, a minimal risk of tumor development, and the availability of well-established treatment options. These aspects are anticipated to spur the segment's rise throughout the forecast period.

By Application, the global market is segmented into regenerative medicine (neurology, oncology, hematology, orthopedics, cardiovascular and myocardial infarction, liver disorder, injuries, diabetes, incontinence, and others), drug discovery, and development. The regenerative medicine segment dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. Regenerative medicine comprises tissue engineering and stem cell technology. Growing research and technological advancements in regenerative medicine are anticipated to aid the growth of this segment.

Regenerative medicine dominated the market owing to the increasing adoption & ongoing development of companion diagnostics & personalized treatment for usage in oncology and other chronic infections. Moreover, constant research in this segment involving the use of pluripotent and non-pluripotent stem cells to introduce a breakthrough technology to eradicate the tumor and develop transplant methodologies is among the factors expected to enhance the market growth in the forecast period. The ability to isolate genetically and phenotypically stable, pluripotent cells from readily available sources is anticipated to influence the regenerative medicines segment positively.

By Technology, the global market is segmented into cell acquisition (umbilical blood cord, bone marrow harvest, apheresis), cell production (therapeutic cloning, cell culture, isolation), cryopreservation, expansion, in-vitro fertilization, and sub-culture. The cell acquisition segment dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 13.1% during the forecast period. Identifying embryonic stem cells has made it possible to create cutting-edge therapies for various ailments. These cells can be employed to differentiate multiple body cell types because they are pluripotent. However, there are ethical issues with taking embryonic cells directly from the embryo. Hence, in 2006, researchers discovered an alternative—iPS cells.

Furthermore, in January 2014, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), in collaboration with the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, demonstrated the potential of somatic cells to be used efficiently, similar to embryonic cells. This potential was named Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency (STAP). The growing number of market players offering cell acquisition services and the increase in collaborations & acquisitions among them portray the lucrative growth of this segment. For instance, in January 2016, Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) acquired LifebankUSA, and the collaboration is expected to allow HLI access to its proprietary method of extracting placental stem cells.

By Therapy, the global market is bifurcated into autologous and allogeneic. The autologous segment dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. Autologous stem cell therapies are estimated to account for a lower revenue share. These cells must be collected soon after the injury and before initiating the treatment. However, the efficiency of stem cells is affected by the age and health of the donor. Thus, the isolation of stem cells from patients before treatment would affect the efficacy of therapy unless preserved cord cells are available. This may be responsible for the low market share of this segment. However, owing to the increase in awareness among people and the rise in adoption of private stem cell banking services, the segment is anticipated to exhibit lucrative growth over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• July 2022 - Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. Changes its Name to "Pluri Inc." Reflecting the Company's Strategy to Leverage its Innovative 3D Cell-based Technology Platform to Additional Industries. 
• March 2022 - Pluristem Releases PLX-R18 Hematology Phase I Study Results: Data Show Increase in All Blood Lines and Reduction in Blood Transfusions