Electrocompetent cells are bacterial cells that have been experimentally manipulated to become permeable to plasmid DNA or DNA fragments during electrophoresis. They are commonly used in molecular cloning for transformation experiments wherein recombinant DNA is introduced into bacterial cells for gene expression studies. The growing scope of gene cloning, protein engineering and genetic engineering research is fueling the demand for electrocompetent cells.
The global electrocompetent cells market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.07 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 10% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
Key Takeaways
Key players: Key players operating in the electrocompetent cells market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, Agilent Technologies, Inc., QIAGEN N.V., New England Biolabs, Inc., GenScript Biotech Corporation, Lucigen Corporation, Takara Bio Inc., Delphi Genetics S.A., IBA GmbH, Scarab Genomics LLC, Zymo Research Corporation, Bioline GmbH (Meridian Bioscience), SelectScience, Biosearch Technology.
Key opportunities: Increasing investments in gene therapy and stem cell research by biopharma companies and government bodies presents lucrative growth opportunities for players in the electrocompetent cells market. Additionally, development of novel cloning techniques using electrocompetent cells will augment demand.
Technological advancements: Recent advancements such as introduction of competent cell strains compatible with difficult-to-transform genes and CRISPR genome editing toolkit are accelerating the application of electrocompetent cells. Commercialization of electrotransformation protocols and reagents is further fueling market growth.
Market drivers: Rising R&D spending on genetic engineering and synthetic biology globally is a key growth driver for the electrocompetent cells market. In addition, increasing healthcare expenditure coupled with growing biologics manufacturing is expected to provide a fillip to market expansion through 2030.
Some of the key drivers fueling the growth of the electrocompetent cells market are increasing R&D spending on genetic engineering and synthetic biology. The rising healthcare expenditure along with the growing biologics manufacturing is also expected to provide impetus to the market expansion during the forecast period.
Current challenges in the Electrocompetent Cells Market
The electrocompetent cells market is facing few challenges like high cost associated with the process of transformation of cells and development of appropriate protocols for each new DNA construct to be expressed. In addition, variability in transformation efficiency between lots of electrocompetent cells. Also, competent cells are storage and temperature sensitive which require cautious handling during experiments to obtain desired results. Further, optimization of electroporation devices and finding alternatives to petroleum-based reagents are some other challenges.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Development of specialized electrocompetent cell lines for expression of toxic genes, membrane proteins. Weakness: Variability in transformation efficiency, temperature and storage sensitivity. Opportunity: Emerging applications in protein engineering, monoclonal antibody production. Threats: Strong competition among key players, high attrition rates during R&D of new cell lines.
Geographical Regions
North America accounts for the largest share of the electrocompetent cells market mainly due to availability of advanced research infrastructure, increasing R&D investments for disease modeling and cell-based research. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period owing to expansion of biologics manufacturing facilities, rising biotech firms and stem cell research in major countries like China and India.
Fastest growing region
Asia Pacific region is projected to witness the highest growth in the electrocompetent cells market during the forecast period. This high growth is attributed to expanding biologics manufacturing industry, rising initiatives for stem cell and gene therapy applications by both public and private sectors in major economies such as China and India. Growing outsourcing of pharmaceutical R&D activities to Asia also supports the market growth.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
