Live Cell Imaging Market Assessment, By Products and Services [Instruments, Consumables, Services, Software], By Technology [High Content Screening, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching, Time-lapse Microscopy,

Live Cell Imaging Market Assessment, By Products and Services [Instruments, Consumables, Services, Software], By Technology [High Content Screening, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching, Time-lapse Microscopy, Others], By Application [Cell Biology, Stem Cells, Developmental Biology, Drug Discovery], By End-user [Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Companies, Academic and Research Institutes, Contract Research Organizations], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global live cell imaging market is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.68% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 2.55 billion in 2023 to USD 4.61 billion in 2031. The market’s growth is boosted by augmenting research activities in cell biology, rising cases of chronic diseases, technological advancements in live cell imaging, and increasing efforts toward the development of novel technologies and products by the key players in the market.

The increasing incidences of chronic diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders are one of the major factors bolstering the market demand. Live cell imaging provides morphological, spatial, and molecular data that aids in providing a deeper understanding of the signaling and cellular events that determine the response of the cancer to the treatment. This information has the potential to identify actionable targets and biomarkers that can aid in enhancing clinical outcomes. Live cell imaging also finds applications in uncovering the mode of action of cancer drugs and tumor heterogeneity in response to the treatment.

Rising collaborations between various companies are another major factor supporting the market’s expansion. In February 2023, Shanghai Duoning Biotechnology Co., Ltd. obtained an exclusive license for BioAces Shanghai Life Science’s cell analysis portfolio, including the CytScop MINI and CytScop PRO. The products provided by BioAces include flow cytometry instrument, high content analysis equipment, and real-time dynamic live cell imaging system that find applications in upstream process development of cell and gene therapies, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies, among others.

Technological Advancements Boost Market Growth

Continuous technological advancements in imaging technology are expected to support the growth of the global live cell imaging market. Various biotechnology and imaging companies are increasingly investing towards developing advanced technological solutions to aid scientists and researchers in conducting live cell imaging at the nanoscale. For instance, in March 2024, Leica Microsystems GmbH unveiled TauSTED Xtend, the super-resolution platform that aids researchers in directly monitoring fast biological processes and allows for multicolor live cell imaging at the nanoscale. It also aids in ensuring that live cell experiments are monitored over a longer period of time with the help of a balance of resolution and light exposure. The company aims to ensure that TauSTED can be easily incorporated into laboratory workflow and support physicians in enhancing their preferred imaging protocols with stimulated emission depletion (STED). Such developments are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market and boost its expansion in the coming years.

Increasing Cases of Chronic Diseases Support Market Expansion

The rising cases of various chronic diseases across the globe are propelling the demand for live cell imaging in the global market. According to the estimates of the National Cancer Institute, 9.7 million deaths and 20 million new cases of cancer were reported in 2022 and by 2040, the number of cancer-related deaths is projected to increase to 15.3 million and new cancer cases to 29.9 million. This growth is bolstering the investments towards cancer research, which in turn is propelling the requirement in live cell imaging as it plays a crucial role in enhancing the understanding of the mechanism of the disease and for studying the efforts of the immune system in fighting cancer cells.

Moreover, live cell imaging also plays a crucial role in studying central nervous system (CNS) diseases, offering insights into the disease biology and consequences of behavioral therapy and pharmacological and genetic interventions in real time. Live cell imaging also aids scientists in detecting synaptic dysfunctions at an earlier stage. Thus, due to the growing burden of CNS diseases and disorders, the requirement for live cell imaging is increasing, supporting the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific is Anticipated to Witness Significant Growth

The rapid expansion of the market in the region is supported by the growth of the healthcare sector due to rising cases of chronic diseases and disorders and increasing geriatric population, rising awareness about the various applications and advantages associated with the technology, and growing investments in life science research. The growing popularity of regenerative medicine in the region also propels the requirement for live cell imaging. The multidisciplinary field involves the development of biological substitutes that aid in maintaining, improving, and restoring the functions of the body.

Additionally, the increasing efforts of the companies and institutes based in the region towards the development and introduction of novel products and technologies are also aiding the market’s growth in Asia-Pacific. In April 2024, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, headquartered in Japan, announced its Single Cellome System SS2000, which was featured in the Analytical Chemistry journal. The device features Yokogawa’s dual-microlens spinning disk imaging technology that aids researchers in conducting cutting-edge life science research and uses confocal imaging technology to eliminate the different challenges associated with single-cell lipidomics. Such developments are expected to bolster the growth of the market in different regions across the Asia-Pacific.

Standalone Systems Expected to Hold Significant Market Share

These devices and equipment are capable of functioning independently and are witnessing an increased demand due to the growing emphasis on research and development activities. Additionally, rising collaborations between different research institutions and imaging companies are bolstering the expansion of the segment. In February 2022, Deepcell, Inc. announced a partnership with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). The former is involved with the development of a novel imaging platform that analyzes individual live cells with the help of artificial intelligence in real time. This technology is expected to aid scientists in isolating, characterizing, and identifying viable cells and utilize sorted cells and artificial intelligence-derived markers to complement novel standalone methods and existing molecular workflows. Furthermore, the different product offerings by leading market players, including the stand-alone BD Pathway 855 by Becton, Dickinson and Company, provide various advantages, including ease of use, which in turn aids in enhancing productivity and improving workflow. It also features precision optics with flexible controls and a confocal mode that enables the delivery of high-resolution images.

Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)

As per the global live cell imaging market analysis, the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) with live cell imaging is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market in the coming years. With the help of AI algorithms, researchers can automate tasks associated with image analysis, process large sets of data, and identify patterns that will allow them to retrieve meaningful insights, enhancing disease research and drug development processes.

Additionally, the rising cases of chronic diseases are anticipated to positively influence the market’s expansion due to the various applications of the technique in understanding the mechanism of the diseases and in drug development processes.

Computational methods are expected to aid in addressing various challenges associated with live cell imaging, including the capture of intra-cellular dynamics while ensuring the viability of the cell. The methods focused on AI-based approaches can be layered on hybrid methods and existing microscopies that allow the integration of microscope hardware and computation. Computational approaches are also expected to aid in improving temporal and spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of live cell imaging.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Novel product launches by the key market players are boosting the global live cell imaging market size. In June 2024, NIKON CORPORATION introduced the new imaging technology to accelerate the efficiency and speed of biotechnology research. With the introduction of the AXR with NSPARC 2K, the company is expanding its AX series lineup to boost efficiency across drug development and disease research. The Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) detector allows for precise observations and shares image contrast and low noise, while the newly updated software provides an increased observation range. Such developments aid in enhancing the understanding of complex diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer while assisting researchers in their drug development efforts. The new technology will also allow researchers to track the growth process of tissues and cells within disease models, allowing the assessment of the safety and efficacy of new therapies.