In 2021, the market for Digital PCR worldwide was worth $5.1 billion US dollars. AMR Group projects that the market will reach US$ 10.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.2 percent between 2022 and 2031.
Industry Overview
Digital PCR (dPCR) is a relatively new molecular biology technique used to measure and quantify DNA or RNA molecules in a sample. It is a highly precise and sensitive method that enables the detection and quantification of nucleic acid targets with higher accuracy than traditional quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques. In dPCR, the sample is partitioned into thousands of small reaction chambers, each containing a single molecule or no molecule of the target nucleic acid. The partitioning process creates a digital signal, where the presence or absence of the target molecule in each chamber is detected and counted. This enables the precise quantification of the target nucleic acid in the original sample. dPCR has several advantages over traditional qPCR methods, including higher sensitivity, improved accuracy, and reduced variability. It is particularly useful in applications that require the detection of low-abundance targets, such as in the detection of rare mutations, copy number variations, and pathogens. dPCR is widely used in research applications, such as gene expression analysis, mutation detection, and infectious disease diagnosis. It is also increasingly being used in clinical applications, such as cancer diagnostics and monitoring, prenatal genetic testing, and transplantation monitoring.
Market Dynamics
The global digital PCR market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by several factors such as: The growing prevalence of infectious diseases and cancer, along with the increasing adoption of personalized medicine, is expected to drive the demand for molecular diagnostic tests. dPCR's high sensitivity and accuracy make it an attractive tool for molecular diagnostics.
The increasing demand for personalized medicine and precision medicine is driving genomics research, which is expected to increase the demand for dPCR technology. dPCR can be used for the detection of rare mutations and copy number variations, making it a valuable tool in genomics research. The growing investments in life sciences research, especially in emerging economies, are expected to drive the demand for dPCR technology. Governments and private organizations are investing heavily in life sciences research to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Growing adoption of dPCR in clinical research: The adoption of dPCR technology in clinical research is increasing, as it is a highly sensitive and accurate tool for disease diagnosis and monitoring. The technology is being used in various clinical applications, such as cancer diagnostics, prenatal genetic testing, and transplantation monitoring. However, factors such as the high cost of dPCR instruments and the lack of skilled personnel to operate the technology may hinder the market growth. The market is highly competitive, with several key players competing based on product innovation, quality, and pricing. The market is also characterized by collaborations and partnerships between companies to develop new products and expand their market presence.
COVID Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact on the digital PCR market. On one hand, the pandemic has created a surge in demand for molecular diagnostic tests, including dPCR tests, for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On the other hand, the pandemic has disrupted the supply chain of dPCR instruments and reagents, leading to supply chain and production challenges for some companies.
The pandemic has led to a significant increase in the demand for dPCR technology, especially for COVID-19 testing. dPCR's high sensitivity and accuracy make it a valuable tool in detecting low viral loads and in monitoring disease progression. The increasing adoption of dPCR for COVID-19 testing has led to a surge in demand for dPCR instruments and reagents. However, the pandemic has also disrupted the supply chain of dPCR instruments and reagents, leading to supply chain and production challenges for some companies. The pandemic has disrupted the production and shipment of dPCR instruments and reagents due to restrictions on international travel and trade. These disruptions have led to delays in the delivery of dPCR instruments and reagents, affecting the operations of some companies. Moreover, the pandemic has also led to a shortage of skilled personnel to operate the dPCR instruments. The pandemic has led to a decrease in the number of laboratory technicians and other skilled personnel available to operate dPCR instruments due to illness, quarantine, and other factors. This has led to a slowdown in the adoption of dPCR technology in some regions. Overall, while the COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities for the digital PCR market, it has also created significant challenges for the industry, particularly in terms of supply chain disruptions and skilled personnel shortages.
Regional Trend
The digital PCR market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America is the largest market for digital PCR, accounting for a significant share of the market. The high adoption of digital PCR technology in research activities, the presence of major players in the region, and the increasing demand for personalized medicine are some of the key factors driving the market growth in North America. Europe is also a significant market for digital PCR, with a large number of research activities and increasing investments in life sciences research. The region is home to several major players in the digital PCR market, and the growing demand for molecular diagnostic tests is expected to drive the market growth.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth in the digital PCR market in the coming years. The increasing investments in life sciences research, the growing adoption of personalized medicine, and the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and cancer are some of the key factors driving the market growth in the region. Moreover, the increasing focus on developing innovative technologies and the presence of a large patient population in countries such as China and India are expected to boost the market growth. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are relatively small markets for digital PCR, but they are expected to witness steady growth in the coming years. The increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and the growing demand for molecular diagnostic tests in these regions are expected to drive the market growth.
Competitive Landscape
The global digital PCR market is highly competitive and consists of several major players. Some of the leading players operating in the market include:
Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad Laboratories is a leading player in the digital PCR market, offering a wide range of products and solutions for digital PCR applications. The company has a strong global presence and offers innovative products that cater to the needs of researchers and healthcare professionals.
Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher Scientific is a major player in the digital PCR market, offering a wide range of products and solutions for various applications. The company has a strong global presence and offers innovative products that are designed to meet the needs of researchers and healthcare professionals.
QIAGEN: QIAGEN is a leading player in the digital PCR market, offering a wide range of products and solutions for molecular diagnostics and research applications. The company has a strong global presence and offers innovative products that are designed to meet the needs of researchers and healthcare professionals.
Fluidigm Corporation: Fluidigm Corporation is a major player in the digital PCR market, offering a wide range of products and solutions for various applications. The company has a strong global presence and offers innovative products that are designed to meet the needs of researchers and healthcare professionals.
Stilla Technologies: Stilla Technologies is a leading player in the digital PCR market, offering innovative products and solutions for various applications. The company has a strong focus on research and development and offers products that cater to the needs of researchers and healthcare professionals. Other prominent players in the market include Merck KGaA, JN Medsys, RainDance Technologies, Formulatrix, and others. These players are focusing on product launches, collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions to strengthen their market position and expand their product portfolios.
Market Segmentation
The global digital PCR market can be segmented based on technology, product type, application, and end user.
By Technology: The market can be segmented into Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) and Beads-on-String Digital PCR (BSD-PCR).
By Product Type: The market can be segmented into digital PCR systems, reagents and consumables, and software and services.
By Application: The market can be segmented into clinical diagnostics, research, and forensic science.
By End User: The market can be segmented into hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, academic and research institutes, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and others.