Cell Signaling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Endocrine Signaling, Paracrine Signaling), By Product, By Technology, By Pathway, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Cell Signaling Market Size & Trends

The global cell signaling market size was valued at USD 5.41 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.56% from 2024 to 2030. An increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders globally, as well as growing advancements in cell signaling research, are the prime factors driving market growth. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2022, about 1.9 million new cancer cases were reported in the U.S., along with 609,360 cancer-related deaths.

As cancer involves complex disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, there is an increasing demand for targeted therapies that specifically address the aberrant signaling mechanisms fueling cancer growth. Furthermore, cell signaling studies enable the identification of specific signaling molecules and pathways that contribute to cancer progression, which makes them a reliable approach to treat this disorder.

In addition to it, advancements in cell signaling research further play a pivotal role in boosting overall market growth. For instance, in June 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced the Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer, which integrates acoustic focusing flow cytometry technology with a high-speed camera. This system enables the simultaneous acquisition of high-resolution bright-field images and robust fluorescent flow cytometry data from cells, enhancing the comprehensive analysis of cell characteristics. As scientific understanding of intricate signaling pathways within cells deepens with such advancement, researchers can identify specific molecules and mechanisms associated with diseases, particularly in the context of cancer and other complex disorders.

Rising government funding for research serves as a significant driver for the growth of the market for cell signaling. As governments allocate more resources to scientific and biomedical research initiatives, there is a notable boost in funding for studies focused on understanding cell signaling pathways and their implications on health and disease. For instance, in February 2022, the Indian government established cutting-edge stem cell research facilities in 40 prominent health research and educational institutions. In the last three years, the Indian government has allocated USD 80 million through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for specific research projects.

Furthermore, partnerships and collaborations play a crucial role in driving the market for cell signaling by fostering innovation, leveraging expertise, and accelerating the development and commercialization of products. For instance, in May 2023, Pfizer and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced a partnership to help increase local availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based screening for patients with lung & breast cancer in more than 30 countries across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia where advanced genomic testing was previously limited or unavailable.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market growth stage is moderate, and pace of the market growth is accelerating. The cell signaling industry is characterized by a moderate-to-high degree of growth owing to increasing investment in R&D programs, growing prevalence of chronic diseases, adoption of advanced healthcare technologies, and other factors.

Key strategies implemented by players in this market include new product launches, expansions, acquisitions, partnerships, and other strategies. For instance, in September 2023, Cell Signaling Technology (CST) announced the release of SignalStar Multiplex IHC technology, an advanced tool for spatial biology research employing mid-plex and high-throughput IHC (immunohistochemistry) assays.

Degree of Innovation: Advancements in drug development, adoption of technological innovations in cell-based research tools, and rising demand for personalized medicine are likely to influence market growth.

Impact of Regulations: Stringent quality protocols and ethical challenges surrounding embryonic stem cell signaling research are factors expected to hamper industry expansion.

Level of M&A Activities: Mergers and acquisition activities in this market are increasing and are poised to witness similar growth during the analysis timeframe. Several companies are acquiring development-stage organizations to enhance their product portfolios and cater to a larger patient pool. Moreover, these firms are integrating advanced facilities and form strategic alliances to achieve synergies in capabilities and resources, enhancing their competitiveness.

Market Fragmentation: The market comprises a large number of bio-pharmaceutical and medical instrument manufacturers that specialize in drug development activities. This has created a fragmented market scenario.

Regional Expansion: The geographical distribution of cell signaling is slowly shifting from developed nations to emerging countries. These economies also possess greater disease variation compared to countries in North America and Western Europe, where traditional diseases are growing.

Type Insights

Endocrine signaling accounted for the largest revenue share of 42.9% in 2023 and is anticipated to witness fastest growth through 2030. The system communicates and transfers information from a particular part of the body to another by sending chemical signals referred to as hormones. The presence of this component increases demand for endocrine signaling. An increased prevalence of endocrine-related disorders such as adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's disease, gigantism, hypothyroidism, as well as hyperthyroidism is a primary factor driving expansion.

For instance, undiagnosed endocrine diseases affect approximately 13 million people in the U.S. alone, accounting for 4.78% of the population. Thyroid disease is one of the most common endocrine disorders, accounting for 30-40% of patients in endocrine treatment. It also identifies how pharmaceutical interventions change critical signaling pathways. Thus, an increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic diseases, which leads to an increase in the number of drug discoveries along with therapeutic development, are reasons contributing to the growth of the cell signaling market.

Product Insights

Consumables accounted for the largest revenue share in 2023. This share is due to repurchasing of consumables. Furthermore, the expanding number of advances in genomes and proteomics, as well as the growing emphasis on customized medicine and targeted therapies, are accelerating this segment's growth rate. Growing government and private sector funding of cell-based research is predicted to propel the global cell signaling industry forward. According to data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) portal, an estimated USD 45 billion was provided for stem cell research in fiscal year 2021. Similar increases in funding grants for research on embryonic stem cells & induced pluripotent stem cells were observed in March 2020.

Instruments segment is estimated to register a substantial CAGR over the forecast period. Factors such as technological advancements, growing demand for automated systems, and expanding PoC diagnostics demand are contributing to segment growth.  Furthermore, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increase of fund grants for cell-based research and others are driving segment expansion. As a result, increased government participation in the development of cell-based research in the form of additional financing is predicted to boost market expansion.

Technology Insights

Microscopy segment dominated the market in 2023. Fluorescence microscopy applications in signaling are not restricted to examining localization. Several methodologies enable researchers to study the dynamics of protein interactions in real-time, whether at rest or after stimulation, and thus explore signal transmission, amplification, and integration throughout the cell. Furthermore, microscopy allows for the investigation of single-cell expression kinetics, bringing cell uniqueness and robustness against variability of gene expression to a new level of signaling research. Factors linked to technological breakthroughs in recent years have accelerated the development of light microscopy, which is boosting demand for this segment.

On the other hand, flow cytometry is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Flow cytometry is a technique for analyzing single cells in solution efficiently and precisely. It is highly useful for studying the immune system and how it responds to infectious diseases, as well as cancer. Researchers can use this technique to track live movements and thus increase the demand for flow cytometry and advance market growth.

Pathway Insights

AKT signaling pathway dominated the market in 2023. AKT signaling pathway, commonly known as the survival route, regulates cell development, apoptotic signals, and proliferation. This signaling pathway is the most frequently dysregulated in most common cancer types. The anticipated development of commercial diagnostic tests depending on the down-regulation of the AKT pathway will drive the cell signaling sector to grow over the expected timeframe.

In 2023, the AMPK signaling pathway segment also had a sizable market share. This is primarily owing to an increase in the prevalence of cancer and tumors globally. Depending on the tissue-specific tumor microenvironment, the AMPK pathway exhibits both oncogene and tumor suppressor effects. According to a study published in BioMed Central (BMC) in August 2020, MAPK signaling is present in over 85% of cancers and is caused by genetic changes in its upstream activators or components.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the overall market for cell signaling in 2023. Factors such as the local presence of a substantial number of key players such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck KGaA, and Cell Signaling Technology Inc., among others, coupled with an upsurge in research and development spending by key players to develop innovative and advanced products, are attributed for the regional cell signaling industry growth.

U.S. accounted for a dominant share in the North American market for cell signaling in 2023. Majority of the big players have been involved in R&D activities involving cell signaling pathways. A bulk of COVID-19 patients died as a result of a cytokine storm triggered by the virus. Excessive production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines worsens the acute respiratory distress syndrome and causes widespread tissue damage, leading to multi-organ failure and death. Thus, addressing cell signaling pathways such as cytokines during COVID-19 care may result in a lower death rate and better outcomes. This is likely to have a favorable impact on this market.

Considering its dense population, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest market growth through 2030. Furthermore, rising chronic illness prevalence, expanding R&D expenditures, developing key player alliances with local suppliers, a rising elderly population, and advancing life science facilities are all driving growth in the region's cell signaling business. China accounted for a significant share of the cell signaling industry in Asia Pacific in 2023. Increased R&D in cell design and cell physiology is a major regional growth driver. In China, government aid and rising disposable incomes are indirectly boosting the cell signaling sector.

Key cell signaling Company Insights

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Cell Signaling Technology Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., and Merck KGaA are some of the dominant players operating in cell signaling industry.

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. has a global presence and operates from over 65 locations in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and other regions.

• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. operates and markets across two reportable segments

including clinical diagnostics and life sciences.

PerkinElmer Inc., Bio-Techne Corporation, and others are some emerging players functioning in the market for cell signaling.

• PerkinElmer Inc. primarily offers reagents, instruments, assay platforms and software to hospitals, clinicians, medical labs and medical research professionals.

• Bio-Techne Corporation serves biotechnology research and clinical diagnostic markets. It operates mainly in the UK, the US and China.

Recent Developments

• In February 2023, Bio-Techne Corporation & Cell Signaling Technology established a partnership, thus adding the Simple Western validation to Cell Signaling Technology antibodies. This agreement would help improve researchers' ability to analyze critical molecular signaling pathways effectively.

• In December 2022, Merck KGaA and Mersana Therapeutics announced a research cooperation and commercial license agreement to develop innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using Mersana's patented Immunosynthen STING-agonist ADC technology. The cooperation will focus on developing innovative STING-agonist ADCs for up to two targets, with Mersana's platform used to conjugate Merck KGaA proprietary antibodies.

Cell Signaling Market Report Scope

Global Cell Signaling Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global cell signaling market report on the basis of type, product, technology, pathway and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Endocrine Signaling

  • Paracrine Signaling

  • Autocrine Signaling

  • Others

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Consumables

  • Instruments

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Flow Cytometry

  • Microscopy

  • Western Blotting

  • ELISA

  • Others

• Pathway Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • AKT Signaling Pathway

  • AMPK Signaling Pathway

  • ErbB/HER Signaling Pathway

  • Other Signaling Pathway

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait