The global cell culture supplements market size was valued at USD 3.08 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 3.34 billion in 2026 to USD 6.17 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.98% during the forecast period.

The global cell culture supplements market is experiencing steady and substantial growth. These supplements are the products focused on enhancing cell growth, viability, and productivity in laboratory and industrial settings. Also, these supplements help optimize cell culture experiments, biopharmaceutical production, and regenerative medicine applications. The market is driven by increasing demand for biologics, personalized medicine, and advancements in cell-based therapies. Moreover, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and genetic disorders, and the increasing demand for adequate vaccines and personalized treatment for untapped disease areas, are boosting research activities and market growth.

• For instance, in August 2025, Opus Genetics announced the approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for inherited retinal conditions resulting from mutations in the Best 1 gene.

Furthermore, many key industry players, such as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Sartorius AG, operating in the market, have innovative products, high-quality cell culture supplements, and strategic initiatives to maintain their positions.

CELL CULTURE SUPPLEMENTS MARKET TRENDS

Rising Investment and Manufacturing Facilities are a Key Market Trend

The growing need for advanced biopharmaceuticals is driving demand for cell culture supplements, with rising investments in manufacturing facilities playing a crucial role. Companies are expanding production capacity to meet the growing demand for high-quality cell culture media and supplements. As a result, rising investments and new manufacturing capacities by key players to expand their production capabilities are prominent global cell culture supplement market trends.

• For instance, in November 2022, FUJIFILM Corporation announced a USD 188 million investment to build a new cell culture media manufacturing plant in Research Triangle Park (RTP), the U.S. The facility aimed to address the growing market demand for high-quality cell culture media

Download Free sample to learn more about this report.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Growth of Cell & Gene Therapy Pipelines Driving Market Growth

The rising prevalence of chronic and genetic diseases, along with the demand for personalized medicine, is driving demand for cell and gene therapy. The expanding pipeline of innovative cell and gene therapies is boosting the demand for high-quality cell culture supplements. As these advanced therapies require optimized growth conditions, the need for specialized supplements to support cell proliferation and viability has increased. Thus, the surge in cell and gene therapy pipelines is propelling the global market.

Additionally, key pharmaceutical and biotech companies are focused on receiving approvals and launches to boost the cell culture supplements market growth.

• For instance, in December 2025, Bristol Myers Squibb received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Breyanzi, a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL).

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Supply and Consistency Constraints to Restrict Market Growth

Supply and consistency constraints are restraining market growth, as these products require high-quality raw materials that are difficult to source reliably. Variability in raw material affects experimental reproducibility and product performance. Additionally, supply chain disruptions, such as shortages and logistical delays, further hinder consistent availability.

• For instance, in March 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced investments of more than USD 600 million to expand its bioprocessing production capabilities through 2022. These investments are expected to more than double the company's current manufacturing capacity and support biopharma customers in meeting the demand for the development of new vaccines and biologics.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Rising Preference Toward Animal-Free Supplements to Cater to Market Growth

The growing consumer shift toward animal-free and vegan products is creating a lucrative market opportunity. As demand for ethically sourced and sustainable alternatives increases, so does demand for plant-based and synthetic supplements. Moreover, companies are focusing on developing innovative, high-quality, animal-free cell culture supplements, which can drive market growth.

• For instance, in December 2025, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. launched two new chemically defined media, Gibco Bacto CD Supreme FPM Plus and Gibco Bacto CD Supreme Feed (2X), designed to improve plasmid DNA and recombinant protein production in E. coli. The new products offer consistent, high-quality results from laboratory to commercial scale while reducing variability and compliance concerns associated with animal-derived components.

MARKET CHALLENGES

High Cost of Products to Hamper the Adoption and Challenge Market Growth

The high costs of cell culture supplements, such as recombinant growth factors, cytokines, serum replacements, and optimized feed systems, are hindering their adoption in lower-income countries. Moreover, high unit prices and frequent consumption during development and production increase overall expenses, prompting academic and early-stage biotech laboratories to cut usage and opt for lower-grade alternatives.

Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type

Strategic Activities for Serum & Serum-Derived Supplements to Propel Segment’s Growth

Based on the product type, the market is categorized into serum & serum-derived supplements, growth factors & cytokines, lipids, fatty acids & cholesterol supplements, and feed supplements

serum replacements, and others.

The serum & serum-derived supplements segment is expected to account for the largest share of the cell culture supplements market. This segment accounted for 34.0% of the market in 2025. The dominant share of the segment is driven by fetal bovine serum, which is widely used as a universal additive, and by rising strategic initiatives to boost sales of these products, which are also contributing to the segment’s growth.

• For instance, in November 2024, Gemini Bioproducts, LLC, a supplier of cell culture reagents and process liquids, acquired selected rights and inventory to Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) products from Bio-Techne.

The growth factors & cytokines segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.62% over the forecast period. 

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

By Source

Approval and Proven Effectiveness for Animal-derived Sources Boosted Segment Growth

Based on the source, the market is segmented into animal-derived, recombinant, synthetic

microbial-derived, and others.

In 2025, the animal-derived segment dominated the global market. The segment accounted for 37.5% of the market share in 2025. This growth is driven by widespread availability and proven effectiveness in supporting cell growth and differentiation; its established use in research and biopharmaceutical production has also contributed to its dominance.

Additionally, animal-based sources are receiving approval from major countries, supporting the segment's growth.

• For instance, in September 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced that the Shanghai Pudong International Airport had successfully cleared a premium batch of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) from Gibco, a cell culture brand.

The recombinant segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.27% over the forecast period. 

By Application

Increasing Advancement to Launch New Therapies to Lead the Drug Discovery & Development Segment’s Growth

Based on application, the market is segmented into biopharmaceutical manufacturing, cell & gene therapy manufacturing, vaccine & viral vector manufacturing, drug discovery & development, and others.

The drug discovery & development segment is anticipated to witness a dominant cell culture supplements market share over the forecast period. The segment held a 36.1% market share in 2025. The segment's dominant share is driven by increasing cell culture-based research to develop new therapeutics and by increasing funding for drug discovery and development, which are boosting the segment’s growth.

• For instance, in January 2026, Axol Bioscience Ltd, a provider of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technologies for drug discovery and disease research, secured USD 2.8 million in funding to support the company’s expansion into the U.S. to enhance the development of neuroscience, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular disease models.

The biopharmaceutical manufacturing segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.82% over the forecast period. 

By End User

Increasing Usage by Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies for Optimized Experimental Conditions to Boost Segment’s Growth

Based on end user, the market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, CDMOs/CMOs, cell & gene therapy companies, and others.

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment dominated the market. The segment held a 48.0% market share. The growth of the segment is attributed to increasing adoption of these supplements for accurate modeling of human biology, supporting cell growth, and optimizing experimental conditions, thus making them critical in the early stages of pharmaceutical research.

Additionally, the increasing number of clinical studies and approvals is boosting the segment’s growth.

• For instance, in January 2026, Aragen launched CHOMax, a new cell line development and early manufacturing platform that supports an integrated path from DNA to IND-enabling clinical supply for suitable standard IgG monoclonal antibodies.

The CDMOs/CMOs segment is projected to grow at a 10.83% CAGR over the forecast period. 

Cell Culture Supplements Market Regional Outlook

By geography, the market is categorized into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America

To get more information on the regional analysis of this market, Download Free sample

North America held the dominant share in 2024, valued at USD 1.23 billion, and maintained its leading position in 2025, with a value of USD 1.32 billion. The market in North America is expected to grow due to rising biotechnology research and the presence of key pharma and biotech companies, which are expected to boost adoption and market growth.

U.S. Cell Culture Supplements Market

Given North America’s substantial contribution and the U.S. dominance in the region, the U.S. market was estimated at around USD 1.22 billion in 2025, accounting for roughly 39.7% of global cell culture supplement sales. The country's growth is driven by advanced research infrastructure for stem cell research and automation in cell culture workflows, as well as government initiatives to boost biotech activities and launch new products.

Europe

Europe is projected to grow at 7.67% over the coming years. The region reached a valuation of USD 0.79 billion by 2025. Europe’s market growth is driven by increasing investment in research and clinical studies. Government funding for life sciences research is expected to boost the region’s growth.

U.K. Cell Culture Supplements Market

The U.K. cell culture supplements market in 2025 was estimated at around USD 0.15 billion, representing approximately 4.9% of global cell culture supplement revenues.

Germany Cell Culture Supplements Market

Germany’s cell culture supplements market was projected to reach approximately USD 0.18 billion in 2025, equivalent to around 5.9% of the global Cell Culture Supplements sales.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific reached a valuation of USD 0.66 billion in 2025 and secured the position of the third-largest region in the market. In the region, India and China are estimated to reach USD 0.08 billion and USD 0.23 billion, respectively. The rising demand for cell-based therapies and research applications is boosting the adoption and market growth.

Japan Cell Culture Supplements Market

The Japan cell culture supplements market in 2025 was estimated at around USD 0.11 billion, accounting for roughly 3.5% of global cell culture supplements revenues.

China Cell Culture Supplements Market

China’s cell culture supplements market is projected to be one of the largest worldwide, with 2025 revenues estimated at around USD 0.23 billion, representing roughly 7.5% of global Cell Culture Supplements sales.

India Cell Culture Supplements Market

The Indian cell culture supplements market in 2025 was estimated at around USD 0.08 billion, accounting for roughly 2.7% of global cell culture supplements revenues.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa

The Latin America and the Middle East & Africa regions are likely to experience substantial growth in this market over the forecast period. The Latin America market reached a valuation of USD 0.15 billion in 2025. The rising adoption of biotechnology research and the demand for new treatments and vaccines are driving the region’s growth. In the Middle East & Africa, the GCC is estimated to reach USD 0.16 billion in 2025.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Emphasis on Key Players to Offer Innovative Products to Maintain Their Position

The global cell culture supplements market is highly consolidated, with numerous established players offering advanced products and geographic reach. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Sartorius AG hold prominent positions, with advanced product offerings and strategic initiatives to develop and launch new products.

• For instance, in June 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. launched the Gibco OncoPro Tumoroid Culture Medium Kit for the expansion of patient-derived tumoroids (cancer organoids) across multiple cancer indications.

Other notable players, such as Cytiva, Merck, and Bio-Techne, have strengthened leadership with sustainable and innovative supplement options and strategic activities to strengthen their market position.

LIST OF KEY CELL CULTURE SUPPLEMENTS COMPANIES PROFILED

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.)
• Merck KGaA (Germany)
• Cytiva (U.S.)
• Sartorius AG (Germany)
• Corning Incorporated (U.S.)
• Bio-Techne (U.S.)
• STEMCELL Technologies (Canada)
• FUJIFILM Biosciences (U.S.)
• HiMedia Laboratories (India)
• BD (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• August 2025: Sartorius AG partnered with Nanotein Technologies to support the commercialization and joint development of solutions based on its NanoSpark platform and NanoSpark reagents to enhance cell activation and expansion in cell therapy manufacturing.
• January 2025: Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and FUJIFILM Biosciences collaborated to accelerate T cell expansion using Fujifilm's PRIME-XV T Cell Expansion Media on Terumo BCT’s Quantum Flex Cell Expansion System.
• September 2024: FUJIFILM Biosciences announced the development of Oceo Rover, a first-of-its-kind single-use technology system that enables manufacturers of biopharmaceuticals to improve bioprocessing workflows by automating and simplifying the hydration of media, feeds, and buffers.
• September 2024: Merck KGaA achieved EXCiPACT cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) certification for Pharmaceutical Auxiliary Materials (PAMs) at its major global Cell Culture Media (CCM) production sites.
• April 2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced the Gibco CTS OpTmizer One Serum-Free Medium, a new Animal Origin-Free (AOF) formulation designed specifically for clinical and commercial cell therapy manufacturing.

REPORT COVERAGE

To gain extensive insights into the market, Download for Customization

Report Scope & Segmentation