Metagenomics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Shotgun Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing), By Product, By Workflow, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Metagenomics Market Size & Trends

The global metagenomics market size was estimated at USD 2.03 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.52% from 2024 to 2030. The reduced cost of sequencing is anticipated to boost the adoption of metagenomics in various applications. Hence, a wide range of international and national genome projects have been introduced in recent years. Strategic initiatives undertaken by academic institutions and companies to advance innovative technologies are anticipated to support the market growth. For instance, in April 2023, Pattern Ag unveiled the development of the most extensive single ecosystem database built on metagenomics. This initiative is geared towards developing a comprehensive global soil microbiome map, with the goal of supporting research in agrogenomics.

The declining sequencing expense is the primary factor driving this market’s growth. Innovative technologies like Drop-Seq have emerged as potent tools for whole-genome sequencing, enabling the cost-effective analysis of many cells. The decreasing computational costs have made metagenomics financially accessible for various applications, including advanced diagnostics in healthcare, as well as industrial and research endeavors focused on novel biocatalysts. The heightened emphasis on targeted sequence analysis further contributes to cost reduction, eliminating the need for additional laboratory manipulations associated with whole-genome screening.

The growing focus on discovering novel biomolecules of interest is expected to be a key growth driver. Additionally, the market has seen the emergence of direct-to-customer genetic testing services offering tests for as low as USD 99, reflecting the declining prices in the field in the past few years. As the cost of sequencing continues to decrease, the adoption of metagenomics research is rising, thereby contributing to the overall market growth.

In recent years, the rapid adoption of metagenomics has been notable, positioning it as a catalyst for new discoveries akin to the transformative role genetics played in the 20th century. Technological advancements play a pivotal role in promoting the progress of metagenomics, enabling feasible analysis. These advancements encompass enhanced methods for DNA isolation, streamlined cloning strategies, and improved screening techniques that facilitate the evaluation of microbial assemblages even in inhospitable and extreme environments.

Furthermore, the increasing number of patents related to systems & methods for metagenomics underscores the growing interest and innovation in the field. The development of biotechnology tools designed to streamline laboratory workflows is expected to further stimulate adoption. In addition, advancements in bioinformatics and computational tools, offering enhanced verification & data analysis capabilities, are anticipated to be key drivers in propelling the global market growth.

Moreover, the expected support for the upward market momentum of metagenomics is foreseen through strategic initiatives conducted by academic institutions and companies, aimed at advancing innovative technologies. For instance, in September 2022, Illumina, Inc. has revealed plans to invest in six genomics startups located in the UK, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, South Africa, and the U.S.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market is witnessing a high degree of innovation with advancements in sequencing technologies and analytical tools, enabling comprehensive analysis of microbial communities for applications in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental studies.

Market players such as Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.; PerkinElmer, Inc.; and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. are involved in merger and acquisition activities. Through M&A activity, these companies can expand their geographic reach and enter new territories.

Regulatory frameworks are increasingly influencing the global market, ensuring standards for data privacy, sample collection, and ethical considerations, thereby shaping the responsible and compliant integration of metagenomic technologies in diverse industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

Potential product substitutes may include alternative omics technologies, such as meta transcriptomics or metaproteomic. These alternatives can provide additional perspectives on microbial communities, offering researchers more comprehensive insights beyond genomic data alone and providing them with choices for a more thorough understanding.

It involves establishing strategic distribution hubs and partnerships to efficiently navigate diverse regulatory landscapes. This expansion allows companies to customize metagenomic solutions for specific geographic nuances.

Product Insights

The kits & reagents segment held the largest revenue share of over 61.48% in 2023. Kits & reagents are designed for specific applications, such as soil, water, and biological sample analysis. They are widely adopted for screening bacteria, viruses, pathogens, fungi, and micro-eukaryotic species as per the requirement of the study. Thus, the introduction of novel kits with these techniques for library preparation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays, and other assays is expected to boost the overall segment growth.

The sequencing & data analytics services segment is expected to showcase lucrative growth during the forecast period. The rise in sequencing adoption has spurred a greater need for data analysis platforms. Concurrently, companies are either offering services for metagenomics data interpretation or launching products, engaging research entities in clinical practice.

Technology Insights

The shotgun sequencing segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 34.08% in 2023. Shotgun sequencing sequences entire genomes by randomly breaking up DNA into small fragments and then sequencing each fragment. It has widespread applications in genomics research, clinical diagnostics, and various industries such as environmental monitoring & conservation industry and agriculture & crop improvement industry. Moreover, in clinical settings, shotgun sequencing is employed for numerous applications, such as identifying genetic mutations associated with diseases and facilitating personalized treatment plans.

The 16S sequencing segment is estimated to showcase lucrative growth over the forecast period. 16S sequencing technique is commonly employed in microbial ecology studies and contributes to understanding microbial diversity. The growing interest in understanding the human microbiome and microbial communities in diverse environments has driven the demand for techniques like 16S sequencing and metagenomics. In addition, 16S sequencing is used to discover novel bioactive compounds from environmental samples, contributing to drug discovery and biotechnological applications.

Workflow Insights

The sequencing segment dominated the market with revenue share of 53.39% in 2023. The increase can be attributed to the cost-effectiveness and accuracy achieved through technological advancements in sequencing. Companies routinely incorporate sequencing methods into genetic research, a crucial component of genetic testing. For instance , in June 2023, Delve Bio launched a novel metagenomic sequencing platform for diagnosing infectious diseases.

The data analysis segment is anticipated to grow at a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period, due to the pivotal role of data analysis in unraveling complex biological information. Data analysis plays a crucial role in extracting meaningful patterns, identifying key microbial species, and deciphering functional insights from genomic information. The capacity to unveil intricate insights into microbial interactions, community dynamics, and functional potential significantly amplifies the impact of metagenomic research, thereby the overall demand for data analysis is expected to grow over the forecast period.

Application Insights

In 2023, the environmental segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 25.02%. The role of metagenomics research is swiftly expanding in agriculture and environmental protection, employing sequencing analysis or gene screening to comprehend microorganisms within a specific environment, marking a novel approach to understanding microbial ecosystems. Moreover, environmental metagenomics analysis is used to study ecological remediation, agricultural microbiome analysis, oceanic oil spills, or other biological investigations. Genome-centric metagenomics analysis integrated with single-cell genomics offers access to unprecedented genomic information about microbes.

The clinical diagnostics segment is projected to showcase a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. In clinical diagnostics, metagenomics utilizes advanced genomic technologies to examine the genetic material of microbial communities present in clinical samples. This method transforms pathogen detection by providing a holistic perspective on various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, overcoming the constraints of conventional diagnostic techniques.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the metagenomics market in 2023 with a revenue share of 40.26%. The region's dominance is determined through the presence of key companies, augmented R&D funding, and advancements in sequencing technology. Collaborations between companies and academic institutions are a prominent strategy. For instance, in September 2021, The Broad Institute forged a collaboration with the CDC and Theiagen Genomics to expedite assistance for public health laboratories in the U.S. This collaboration aims to enhance support for U.S. public health labs, particularly focusing on the surveillance of pathogen genomics nationwide.

U.S. Metagenomics Market Trends

The U.S. market is expected to grow over the forecast period. It accounted for the largest revenue share of North America in 2023. This can be attributed to the extensive genomics, oncology, and whole-genome sequencing research in the country. Other factors attributed to the significant adoption of metagenomics technology in this country are sophisticated research & medical infrastructure, funding, skilled personnel, and companies pushing for better research methods to identify newer technologies for diagnosis & therapies.

Europe Metagenomics Market Trends

Europe's market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Europe has a robust research infrastructure and a strong tradition of investing in scientific research. Government funding agencies, along with private institutions and pharmaceutical companies, allocate significant resources to support metagenomics research initiatives. This funding drives innovation, facilitates collaboration, and accelerates the development of metagenomics technologies and applications.

The metagenomics market in the UK is expected to grow over the forecast period. The UK follows Germany and with the expected implementation of nationwide Europe WGS projects in the coming years, the country is expected to witness substantial growth. In 2018, more than 1 million Genomes initiatives were initiated to improve disease prevention, enable more individualized treatments, and fund groundbreaking research. This initiative aims to allow secure access to genomics and related clinical data across European countries for personalized healthcare, better research, and health policymaking.

The France metagenomics market is expected to grow over the forecast period. The growth can be primarily attributed to extensive government initiatives that are boosting the adoption of Next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions in France. Since 2013, the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) has supported the implementation of targeted NGS as part of routine clinical practice. In addition, France implemented a national plan, the 2025 France Genomic Medicine Initiative, to ensure adequate access to genomic medicine for all patients. This initiative is dedicated to introducing genome sequencing to the care pathway.

The metagenomics market in Germany is expected to grow over the forecast period. A large number of providers are offering NGS tools and undertaking initiatives to expand the scope of these tools. QIAGEN, CeGaT GmbH, Intrexon Bioinformatics Germany GmbH, and Eurofins Scientific are some of the companies significantly impacting the market growth in the country.

Asia Pacific Metagenomics Market Trends

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is driven by substantial advancements in metagenomics adoption across diverse applications in India and China. The region's emphasis on genomics and proteomics research, combined with proactive initiatives from academic institutions to advance sequencing technologies, is creating lucrative growth prospects throughout the forecast period.

The metagenomics market in China is expected to grow over the forecast period. Owing to the presence of prominent NGS sequencing centers, such as BGI, China accounts for a significant share of the global metagenomics industry. Institutes such as BGI have integrated NGS platforms and applications such as prenatal screening, oncology, idiopathic, and infectious disease investigation & research. BGI has reportedly installed over 120 HiSeq 2000 genome sequencers by Illumina. Thus, BGI NGS laboratory in Hong Kong is among the few very high-capacity next-generation genome sequencing facilities.

The Japan metagenomics market is expected to grow over the forecast period. Japan accounted for the largest share of Asia Pacific in 2023. Healthcare and clinical research service providers in Japan have been integrating Next-Generation Metagenomics (NGS) technologies for the past couple of years. They are expected to account for a considerable share of Asia Pacific metagenomics revenue share. Ongoing developments in HLA and prenatal NGS testing, coupled with international collaborations with U.S. and European companies, are further expected to fuel the market growth.

MEA Metagenomics Market Trends

Middle East & Africa is a growing market, with increasing adoption of high-throughput sequencing technologies and demand for personalized medicine and disease diagnosis. One of the major trends in the MEA metagenomics industry is the increasing focus on R&D activities by academic and research institutions. This is driving the demand for high-throughput sequencing technologies, as well as bioinformatics tools for the analysis and interpretation of metagenomic data. In addition, the region is witnessing increasing government support for research and development in the field of metagenomics, which is expected to further boost the market growth. However, challenges such as the need for more skilled professionals and the high cost of metagenomic technologies hinder market growth to some extent.

The metagenomics market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the increasing involvement of the government and awareness of the benefits of NGS. The government initiated the Saudi Human Genome Program in 2018 to develop the field of diagnostics and prevent genetic diseases. Extensive research studies involving sequencing can help boost the adoption of advanced metagenomics techniques in Saudi Arabia.

The Kuwait metagenomics market is expected to grow over the forecast period. Advancements in sequencing technologies, bioinformatics tools, and data analysis methods continue to drive progress in metagenomics research worldwide. Kuwaiti researchers and institutions may benefit from access to cutting-edge sequencing platforms and bioinformatics resources, enabling them to conduct high-quality metagenomic studies. The Kuwaiti government has shown interest in supporting advancements in healthcare, biotechnology, and environmental protection. If the government recognizes the potential of metagenomics, it could provide funding and support for research and development activities.

Key Metagenomics Company Insights

The market players are adopting product approval to increase their product reach and availability in diverse geographical areas, along with expansion as a strategy to enhance production/research activities. Several market players are acquiring smaller players to strengthen their market position. This strategy enables companies to increase their capabilities, expand their product portfolios, and improve their competencies.

Recent Developments

• In January 2023, QIAGEN announced closing the acquisition of Verogen, using GS technology for forensic and human identification to advance the future of Human Identification (HID) and forensics.

• In March 2023 , Illumina, Inc. launched its first-of-its-kind product, Illumina Complete Long Read technology. The technology enables short-read and long-read in a single instrument.

• In August 2023, PacBio entered into an agreement to acquire Apton Biosystems. This acquisition is anticipated to accelerate the development of Short-read Sequencers, propelling the growth of sequencing.

Metagenomics Market Report Scope

Global Metagenomics Market Report Segmentation

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

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

  • Kits & Reagents

  • Sequencing & Data Analytics Services

  • Software

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

  • Shotgun Sequencing

  • 16S Sequencing

  • Whole Genome Sequencing

  • Others

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

  • Pre-sequencing

  • Sequencing

  • Data Analysis

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

  • Environmental

  • Clinical Diagnostics

  • Drug Discovery

  • Biotechnology

  • Food & nutrition

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait