Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR)

Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR)

Global Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) Market to Reach US$8.4 Billion by 2030

The global market for Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) estimated at US$5.6 Billion in the year 2023, is expected to reach US$8.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Quantitative Technology, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 5.8% CAGR and reach US$7.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Digital Technology segment is estimated at 9.8% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.5 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 10.0% CAGR

The Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.5 Billion in the year 2023. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.9 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 10.0% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% and 6.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.4% CAGR.

Real-Time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR): Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

What Distinguishes Real-Time PCR (qPCR) from Digital PCR (dPCR) in Modern Diagnostics?

Real-time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) are two advanced techniques in molecular diagnostics that offer high accuracy and sensitivity in detecting and quantifying DNA and RNA, yet they differ fundamentally in methodology and applications. Real-time PCR, also known as quantitative PCR (qPCR), amplifies DNA sequences and provides real-time data on the quantity of amplified product using fluorescent dyes or probes. This fluorescence allows researchers to quantify the DNA target by measuring signal intensity during each PCR cycle, making it highly useful in applications like pathogen quantification and gene expression analysis. In contrast, digital PCR (dPCR) is a newer method that partitions a DNA sample into thousands of tiny individual reactions, allowing each partition to either contain or not contain the DNA target. Following amplification, dPCR counts the partitions with positive fluorescence, offering precise, absolute quantification without the need for a standard curve, as required in qPCR.

The absolute quantification capability of dPCR makes it ideal for applications needing high precision, such as detecting low-level mutations in oncology or assessing viral loads in chronic infections. Meanwhile, qPCR remains widely popular due to its scalability, efficiency, and established protocols, particularly in routine diagnostics, where relative quantification is sufficient. Both technologies serve distinct purposes but often complement each other in diagnostics, offering tools to detect, measure, and analyze DNA with remarkable accuracy across diverse research areas, including virology, oncology, and genetics.

How Are qPCR and dPCR Driving Advances in Disease Detection and Genomics?

qPCR and dPCR are pivotal in disease detection and genomics, with applications spanning infectious disease diagnostics, cancer research, prenatal screening, and more. qPCR is especially valuable in infectious disease testing, where its rapid, quantitative capabilities enable timely diagnosis and management of pathogen loads. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, qPCR was instrumental in mass testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections, allowing public health authorities to monitor virus spread. Similarly, in oncology, qPCR assists in measuring tumor markers and monitoring treatment efficacy, where its fast turnaround time is beneficial. Meanwhile, dPCR’s ability to quantify rare genetic events with high sensitivity has made it invaluable in detecting low-frequency mutations, particularly useful in liquid biopsies, where circulating tumor DNA must be detected from a small blood sample.

In genomics research, dPCR’s precise quantification has opened new possibilities for gene editing and gene therapy, where accurately quantifying gene copies or detecting rare genetic variants is critical for research quality and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, dPCR is advancing non-invasive prenatal testing, allowing for accurate detection of fetal DNA from maternal blood, reducing the need for invasive procedures. This ultra-sensitive technology is also invaluable in monitoring minimal residual disease in cancer, where even a trace amount of tumor DNA can be detected post-treatment, providing early warning signs of recurrence. Both qPCR and dPCR contribute extensively to genomic studies, enabling discoveries in rare genetic disorders, epigenetic research, and pharmacogenomics, thus driving precision medicine forward with accurate and actionable data.

What Technological Advancements Are Expanding qPCR and dPCR Capabilities?

Innovations in automation, multiplexing, and data analysis are pushing the boundaries of what qPCR and dPCR can achieve, making them faster, more versatile, and suitable for larger-scale applications. Automation has streamlined qPCR and dPCR workflows, allowing laboratories to handle higher sample volumes with minimal manual input, critical in clinical diagnostics and large-scale studies. Multiplexing, where multiple DNA targets are detected within a single reaction, has significantly improved testing efficiency in both qPCR and dPCR, enabling researchers to analyze multiple genes or pathogens simultaneously. This multiplexing capability is particularly valuable in fields like infectious disease testing and oncology, where comprehensive screening is essential for effective treatment planning.

Miniaturization and portable PCR devices have further enhanced accessibility, allowing qPCR and dPCR to be applied in point-of-care testing and field-based diagnostics. For example, handheld devices now make it possible to conduct rapid molecular testing in remote areas or at a patient’s bedside, which is essential for timely diagnostics in emergency and rural healthcare settings. Improvements in software and data analytics have also transformed PCR data interpretation, with artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms helping to optimize results, identify patterns, and provide deeper insights into genetic and infectious diseases. These advancements in PCR technology enable broader diagnostic applications, faster response times, and greater sensitivity, making qPCR and dPCR adaptable to the evolving needs of molecular diagnostics and genomic research.

What Is Driving Growth in the Real-Time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) Market?

The growth in the qPCR and dPCR market is driven by increasing demand for precision diagnostics, technological advancements, and a rising focus on personalized medicine. qPCR and dPCR’s importance in the fight against infectious diseases, as evidenced by their pivotal role in COVID-19 testing, has highlighted the need for fast, accurate diagnostics worldwide, fueling market expansion. In oncology, the rise of precision medicine—where treatments are tailored based on individual genetic profiles—has spurred demand for highly accurate, quantifiable tools like qPCR and dPCR to detect mutations and monitor treatment responses. Additionally, dPCR’s absolute quantification capability makes it indispensable in detecting rare mutations or low-level pathogens, a necessity in applications like liquid biopsy and early-stage cancer detection.

In parallel, innovations in PCR technology, including automation, miniaturization, and multiplexing, are making qPCR and dPCR more accessible and efficient, broadening their applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and agricultural biotechnology. The rapid growth in genetic research, particularly in gene therapy and genome editing, has also increased demand for dPCR as researchers need precise measurements to assess gene modification outcomes. Furthermore, as healthcare providers and consumers alike push for more non-invasive diagnostic methods, qPCR and dPCR continue to grow in popularity, offering reliable solutions for non-invasive tests like prenatal screening and early cancer detection. Collectively, these trends underline the expanding role of qPCR and dPCR in precision diagnostics, personalized treatment, and modern genomics, positioning these technologies as cornerstones in the future of healthcare and biotechnology.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Digital PCR (dPCR) market in terms of US$ Million by the following Application; Product Type; Technology, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Technology (Quantitative, Digital); Product Type (Consumables & Reagents, Instruments, Software & Services); Application (Research, Clinical, Other Applications)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 32 Featured) -

• Abbott Laboratories
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Analytik Jena AG
• Becton Dickinson and Company
• Bio Molecular Systems
• Biomeme Inc.
• Biomérieux S.A.
• Bioneer Corporation
• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
• Cole-Parmer Instrument Company Llc
• Danaher Corporation
• Elitech Group Sas
• Enzo Life Sciences, Inc.
• Eppendorf AG
• F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.
• Fluidigm Corporation
• JN Medsys
• Merck KGaA
• Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
• Promega Corporation
• Qiagen N.V.
• Quanta Biosciences Inc.
• Sacace Biotechnologies Srl
• Takara Bio, Inc.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Please note: Reports are sold as single-site single-user licenses. Electronic versions require 24-48 hours as each copy is customized to the client with digital controls and custom watermarks. The Publisher uses digital controls protecting against copying and printing is restricted to one full copy to be used at the same location.

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. Upon ordering an electronic version, the Publisher will provide a link to download the purchased report.

Prior to fulfillment of an order, the client will be required to sign a document detailing the purchase terms for a publication from this publisher.