Fetal Bovine Serum market Market Size

Fetal Bovine Serum market Size Snapshot

Note – Market size depicts the revenue generated over the financial year

The market for fetal serum is a steadily growing one, currently estimated to be worth about $ 1.59 billion in 2024, and projected to reach $ 2.49 billion by 2035. The CAGR from 2025 to 2035 is 4.17%, which reflects the growing demand for fetal serum in a variety of applications, especially in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The increased use of fetal serum in cell culture and in research is one of the main drivers of this growth, as it is a key component in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and regenerative medicine. There are a number of other factors driving the growth of the fetal serum market, such as the development of cell culture technology and the increase in research and development in the life sciences sector. Also, the rise in biopharmaceutical production and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases are driving the demand for high-quality serum products. The major players in the market, such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, GE Healthcare, and Sigma-Aldrich, are constantly investing in new serum production methods and forming strategic alliances in order to enhance their product offerings and meet the evolving needs of scientists and medical practitioners. These efforts will ensure their market positions are maintained and will continue to drive growth in the future.

Regional Market Size

Regional Deep Dive

The fetal bovine serum (FBS) market is characterized by strong regional dynamics, with each region displaying distinctive market characteristics and growth potential. North America leads the world in research and development, driven by a strong biotechnology sector and strict regulations. In Europe, demand for high-quality serum products is on the rise, a trend that is being driven by the emergence of cell culture technology and the rising importance of ethical sourcing. The Asia-Pacific region is expanding rapidly, with the emergence of biopharmaceutical companies and the establishment of new research institutions. The Middle East and Africa are gradually establishing themselves as important players in the FBS market, with the development of the health care system. Meanwhile, Latin America is becoming a significant player, with the development of agriculture and the rise in biotechnological applications.

North America

• The current recombinant serum is mainly produced by collecting blood from the donor. It is the strictest blood collection method and the most reliable source of serum. The companies that produce serum must follow the blood collection method of the donor, and the quality of the serum is expected to be improved, and the public's trust will be increased.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sigma-Aldrich are putting considerable effort into R&D to develop serum alternatives, such as plant-derived and synthetic serums, which could change the market.
• The increase in the number of chronic diseases has led to an increase in the demand for cell-based therapies, which has in turn led to a need for high-quality human blood serum in research and development.

Europe

• The REACH regulation, which requires extensive safety tests, has influenced the FBS market by putting pressure on companies to develop and improve the safety of their products.
• Various organisations, such as the European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT), are encouraging the use of alternative serum sources, which will eventually lead to a gradual reduction in the use of serum.
• Consequently, the growing demand for sustainable and ethical sourcing of biological materials is leading to the development of alternatives to the current FBS supply chain.

Asia-Pacific

• China and India are rapidly increasing their investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. As a result, the demand for fermented brewer's yeast is rising.
• The establishment of many research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies in the region has resulted in an increase in the consumption of FBS for cell culture and the development of vaccines.
• There is an expectation that the stricter regulations in Asia-Pacific will enhance the quality and safety of FBS in the market.

MEA

• The Middle East and Africa is slowly catching up in biopharmaceutical research. South Africa and the United Arab Emirates are investing in the development of their medical facilities. This will lead to a rise in demand for fetal bovine serum.
• In recent years, local companies have started to collaborate with international companies in order to improve the quality of their FBS and to broaden their market reach, which could enhance the general market conditions in the region.
• Hence the prevailing concern for the welfare of animals is influencing the fads in the sphere of animal husbandry.

Latin America

• Brazil and Argentina, because of their strong agricultural sector and increasing biotechnological applications in research, are emerging as key players in the FBS market.
• Governmental initiatives promoting biotechnology will boost demand for FBS as more research institutes look for high-quality serum for their experiments.
• Moreover, the region's unique biological diversity is a source of research into alternative serum sources that could broaden the market and reduce reliance on traditional FBS.

Did You Know?

“It is generally believed that fetal bovine serum is the gold standard for cell culture, but it is estimated that up to 10% of the serum used in laboratories may be contaminated with mycoplasma, which can have a significant effect on the outcome of the experiment.” — Journal of Cell Biology

Segmental Market Size

The Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) market plays a key role in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, in particular as a supplement to cell culture media. This segment is currently experiencing a high level of stability in demand, which is driven by an increasing need for high-quality serum in research and development activities. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases, which require increasingly advanced therapeutic solutions, and the growing importance of regenerative medicine and cell therapies are key drivers of this demand. Further, stricter regulations regarding the quality and safety of biological products have a positive effect on the demand for FBS, as it is a critical component in the production of these products.

FBS is now well established, with Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sigma-Aldrich being the dominant suppliers. The most important applications are in vaccine production, monoclonal antibody development and stem cell research, demonstrating its versatility across a range of fields. The main trends boosting the market are sustainable sourcing and the development of alternatives to animal-derived products, driven by ethical concerns and consumers’ preferences. Serum-free media and improvements in bioprocessing are also driving the market forward, enabling more efficient and ethically sound research practices.

Future Outlook

The fetal bovine serum (FBS) market is expected to show significant growth from 2024 to 2035. The market is expected to increase from $ 1,590,000,000 to $ 2,417,000,000, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.36%. The growth is driven by the growing demand for fetal bovine serum in cell culture, vaccine production and regenerative medicine. The market penetration of FBS will increase steadily, especially in emerging economies where biotechnology development is growing.

In the future, the development of the serum industry will be influenced by the technological developments in the processing of serum and the development of alternatives to serum. The use of ethically derived serum will be supported by legislation. The growing importance of sustainable practices in the life sciences industry will lead to a growing demand for alternatives to serum and, potentially, to a change in the market. Besides this, the automation of the production of serum and the growing importance of individual medicine will play a crucial role in determining the strategies and investment decisions of the companies in the next decade.