U.S. Select Cell Culture Markets

Shortages of Fetal Bovine Serum Compromise End-Users' Systems and Production

Severe fetal bovine serum (FBS) scarcity and tighter regulatory requirements from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and animal rights activists’ concerns regarding the usage of animal-based serums for cell cultures, is driving development of select cell culture products. Growing preference for poultry over beef in the United States has also adversely affected the FBS segment. Derived from a natural source - fetal calves - FBS is driven by supply rather than demand. End users faced with skyrocketing prices are reconsidering alternate techniques and systems to cope in times of scarcity. Cell culture industry participants are being challenged to develop easily employable alternatives for end users.

This Frost & Sullivan research service examines the U.S. Select Cell Culture Markets and includes detailed revenue forecasts. The service analyzes pricing, products, and market trends. It also discusses the prevailing market challenges and offers strategic recommendations to overcome them.

Development of Successful Specialty Media Drives Market Growth

Greater developmental progress of specialty or customized media is hampering growth of FBS. Invention of ‘the’ specialized media that can support growth of a broad range of cell lines, on a consistent basis, is still pending. "To increase profitability, particularly in the manufacturing of therapeutic products such as pharmaceuticals, gene therapy products, and tissue/wound repair products, companies should streamline research efforts and resources to develop specialized media," says the analyst. Vendors must appeal to end users and prove their capability in media optimization and customization, since end-user reliance on a specific, customized system is the means to participants ultimately gaining market share.

To increase productivity and match outcomes of research studies/diagnostic antibody production on the one hand, and gene therapy and pharmaceutical companies on the other, both must switch to specialty or serum-free formats from FBS. Cell culture reagent manufacturers must educate end users through specific programs and impart techniques designed to enhance the transition to serum alternatives.

Cell Culture Products to Thrive on Growing Biotech Application

Biopharmaceuticals are increasingly moving away from small to large molecule biological therapeutics. Monoclonal antibodies, derived from cell cultures by expression, are vital for the development of large molecule therapeutics. Many biopharmaceuticals under development are dependent on the creation of monoclonal antibodies. “The use of monoclonal antibodies in biopharmaceuticals is a growing, high revenue producing area since biotherapeutics are in great demand due to their ability to cure or treat previously untreatable diseases,” adds the analyst.

There is a growing trend of biopharmaceutical companies partnering with those possessing the technology to develop specific ‘humanized’ antibodies. As these collaborations become stable and stronger, and the success of biopharmaceutical-researched products in the pipeline becomes certain, the market for cell culture media is expected to flourish.