The global cell based assays market is expected to see robust growth in the coming years, according to new research from MarketsandMarkets. The market, valued at $18.9 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $28.2 billion by 2028, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%.

The report cites rising demand for drug discovery and development as a major driver fueling the growth of cell based assays. As researchers use these assays to evaluate drug candidate efficacy and safety early on, they are becoming an indispensable tool to enable efficient, cost-effective preclinical testing and reduce reliance on animal models.

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In addition, preferences for cell based approaches continue to increase in the pharmaceutical industry. By providing valuable insights into drug behavior at the cellular level, these assays allow developers to screen compounds effectively and eliminate those with poor safety profiles sooner.

Government initiatives are also spurring greater adoption of cell based assays. Growing support and funding for cell-based research globally, combined with regulatory pushes by bodies like the FDA for non-animal alternatives, is compelling greater utilization of these assays across the drug development pipeline.

While instruments and reagents associated with advanced assay applications can be expensive, limiting smaller research settings, the cost- and time- savings associated with early compound screening are strong incentives for biopharmaceutical companies to incorporate these assays. Opportunities in emerging markets will further propel growth - rising pharmaceutical investments in countries like China and India along with favorable policy environments for cell based assay researchers are attracting more activity in the Asia Pacific region, which MarketsandMarkets suggests could register the highest CAGR over the forecast period.

Among end users, contract research organizations (CROs) are anticipated to adopt cell based assays at the swiftest pace. Their central role in outsourced pharmaceutical R&D aligns neatly with cell assay needs at multiple stages of development. Savvy biopharma companies are leaning more heavily on the expertise, efficiency, and purpose-built infrastructure CROs offer for these assays.

From a product and service perspective, the report shows consumables as the largest and fastest growing segment of the cell based assays market. As assays expand in usage across biomedical research and drug development realms, demand spikes for recurring reagent, kit, cell line, microplate and label purchases. Still, growth opportunities exist across lab instrumentation, software, and service segments too.

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While designing complex cell based assays can prove challenging, the overarching demand trends point to accelerating utilization of these assays to support 21st century drug development. With contemporary pressures to demonstrate safety and mechanism of action for new molecular entities early and efficiently, cell assays allow researchers to predict compound viability better before committing to lengthy clinical studies.

Backed by steadfast biopharma R&D expenditures globally, along with an influx of enabling assay automation and detection tools, the cell based assays market appears primed for nearly decade-long profitable expansion. Strategic players in reagent manufacturing, instrument development, CRO services and software analytics stand to capitalize on this burgeoning domain.