Animal Model Market Size

Growth in drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical sector to boost the market growth

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of significance. A total of 210 countries throughout the world have been impacted by COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented threat to public health. It is projected to significantly affect the market for animal models used in vaccine and antiviral medication research and development. Before conducting human trials, it is crucial to confirm the safety and effectiveness of new entities using a wide number of animal models.

For instance, according to the WHO, almost 20 vaccines are reportedly being developed internationally for COVID-19. These COVID-19 vaccines are in the preclinical stage, and some have already begun animal testing. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been replicated in some mouse models, including the 129SvEv, hACE2 transgenic, BALB/c, C57BL/6, and STA1 gene deletion strains (KO). Therefore, during the projection period, COVID-19 infection increased growth and prospects for important companies in animal models.

Animal models are useful for target identification and validation, toxicity and safety testing, drug screening and lead optimization, and preclinical drug efficacy and safety evaluation. The market is predicted to increase in the next years due to the rise in genetic illnesses on a scale and the expanding research community. To better understand diseases, especially infectious and chronic diseases, animal models of living non-human animals are frequently used. Pharmaceutical firms, academic organizations, and research facilities use these animal models to create new medications, cures, and treatments.

Animal models are non-human living beings employed in research and experimentation due to their immunology and pathophysiology comparable to people. They have been employed in cellular and histological research as well as the prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, and study of illnesses and the discovery and development of medications. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one hundred million mice, rats, and 1 million other animals were kept in captivity for research and laboratory tests in 2019.

Animal models that most closely resemble human systems are preferred since using human models for research is controversial on many levels due to the risk to human life, enhanced the animal model market CAGR across the globe in recent years.

Additionally, academic institutions use histological sections of certain organs for their microscopic research and use models in their labs to demonstrate anatomical dissections. The need for such models is predicted to rise in response to advancements in the education sector, supporting market revenue growth between 2022 and 2030, another factor driving the animal model market revenue growth.

The development of CRISPR technology as a powerful tool in biomedical research and the growing use of animal models in neurological research, biomedical research, toxicology, genetic research, physiology, cancer research, and xenotransplantationare the key market drivers enhancing market growth.

 

Emerging markets are increasingly contributing to the Global Animal Model Market Industry as globalization facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange. Countries in Asia-Pacific and Latin America are witnessing a rise in research activities, driven by both local and international investments. This trend is fostering the development of regional animal model facilities and research institutions, which are essential for advancing scientific knowledge. The expansion of these markets is expected to enhance the overall growth of the industry, as they adopt advanced animal models for research purposes. The globalization of research initiatives is likely to create new opportunities for market players.

Advancements in genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR and gene editing, are significantly influencing the Global Animal Model Market Industry. These technologies enable the creation of more precise and relevant animal models that closely mimic human diseases. This precision enhances the predictability of drug responses, thereby improving the efficiency of preclinical trials. As a result, researchers are increasingly adopting these advanced models, which are expected to drive market growth. The integration of genetically modified organisms into research protocols is likely to contribute to the overall expansion of the market, aligning with the projected growth trajectory leading to 2035.

The increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals is a primary driver of the Global Animal Model Market Industry. As the biopharmaceutical sector expands, the need for effective preclinical testing using animal models becomes crucial. In 2024, the market is valued at approximately 2.79 USD Billion, reflecting the industry's reliance on animal models for drug development and safety assessments. This trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating a market growth to 5.93 USD Billion by 2035. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.11% from 2025 to 2035 underscores the importance of animal models in facilitating the development of innovative therapies.

Regulatory support for animal research plays a pivotal role in the Global Animal Model Market Industry. Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the necessity of animal models in the drug development process. This support manifests through guidelines that promote ethical research practices while ensuring the welfare of animals used in studies. Such frameworks facilitate the approval of new drugs and therapies, thereby fostering innovation. As the market evolves, the alignment of regulatory policies with scientific advancements is likely to enhance the credibility and acceptance of animal models, further driving market growth through 2035.

The surge in investment in research and development (R&D) across various sectors is a significant driver of the Global Animal Model Market Industry. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are allocating substantial resources to R&D to discover new therapies and treatments. This trend is reflected in the growing number of preclinical studies utilizing animal models, which are essential for understanding disease mechanisms and testing drug efficacy. The anticipated growth of the market from 2.79 USD Billion in 2024 to 5.93 USD Billion by 2035 highlights the critical role of R&D investments in shaping the future landscape of animal model applications.

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the animal model market grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the animal model industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

One of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the animal model industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector is manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, the animal model industry has provided some of the most significant benefits. The animal model market major players, such as Horizon Discovery Group plc, Charles River Laboratories International Inc., Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals Inc., and others, are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. specializes in a range of preclinical and clinical laboratory, gene therapy, and cell therapy services for the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries. In May 2021, a gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Vigene Biosciences, was purchased by Charles River for $292.5 million.

Also, Envigo is a privately held contract research organization and lab animal source that offers live animals and related goods and services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as to the government, the academic community, and other life science organizations that use animals in testing. In December 2019, the research models division of Horizon Discovery, which offers genetically altered models from its Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis, Missouri, facilities, was bought by Envigo.