CRISPR and CRISPR-associated (Cas) Genes Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The CRISPR and CRISPR-associated (Cas) Genes Market was estimated to be USD 1,563.52 million in 2020 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15.67% to reach USD 3,733.66 million by the year 2026.

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a positive impact on the market due to an increase in demand for COVID-19 diagnostic tests. In May 2020, Sherlock Biosciences announced that it had received Emergency Use Authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit which is used for the detection of the virus that causes COVID-19. The Sherlock CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit could provide results in approximately one hour, a timeframe that was much lower than the other tests available in the market at that time. In December 2020, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and the Gladstone Institutes announced a collaboration to develop a new CRISPR-based test for COVID-19 by turning a basic smartphone camera into a microscope capable of detecting the coronavirus’ genetic material. Initiatives such as these are expected to have a positive effect on the market for CRISPR and CRISPR-associated (Cas) Genes.

The other major factor attributing to the growth of the market include the increasing adoption of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in genome editing and other biotechnological areas. CRISPR witnessed growth over the past few years from discovery of its role in adaptive immunity in bacteria to its development into a potent and accessible tool in genetics. CRISPR technology is driving advances in genome editing across medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture, which has enabled scientists to conduct research in these field through faster and more efficient genome editing across the world. The demand for CRISPR technology is on the rise due to its easy, fast, and inexpensive access to vectors and the resulting next-generation tools made available by the nonprofit plasmid repository Addgene. According to “The CRISPR Journal” as of January 2018, Addgene distributed more than 100,000 CRISPR plasmids to 3,400 laboratories worldwide; additionally, more than 6,300 CRISPR-related plasmids were developed by over 330 research labs and added into Addgene's collection. Initiatives and collaborative engagements such as these by companies are expected to have a positive effect on the market.

Furthermore, the growing investments in research and development programs by biotechnology companies and non-profit organizations is boosting the market growth. For example, in December 2020, CRISPR Therapeutics announced that it had received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for research into in vivo gene editing therapies which can be used for the treatment of HIV. Again, in January 2020, Mammoth Biosciences announced that it had received USD 45 million in the latest round of its Series B funding. The funding was expected to help in the further development of CRISPR diagnostics and next-generation CRISPR products for the company.

Key Market Trends

Genome Engineering Segment Holds the Largest Share in the Market

The largest share of the segment in the market growth is accredited to the increasing adoption of genome editing techniques for germline alterations and therapeutic development. The CRISPR genome engineering system uses a nuclease, CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), that complexes with small guide RNAs (gRNAs) to cleave DNA in a sequence-specific manner upstream of the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) in any genomic location.

Numerous Cas proteins bind to nucleic acids, making the CRISPR system a tool for genomic engineering. Amongst the Cas proteins, Cas 9 is the most commonly used for genome engineering and regulation. Recent progress in developing other associated programmable nucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) has significantly expedited the progress of genome engineering. The biggest advantage of CRISPR and Cas9 over other genome editing technologies is their simplicity and efficiency. As they can be applied directly in embryos, CRISPR and Cas9 genes reduce the time required to modify target genes compared to conventional gene targeting technologies based on the use of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Genome engineering using CRISPR-Cas9 editing is a relatively inexpensive way of deleting, silencing or otherwise modifying a gene or region. The availability of improved bioinformatics tools - to identify the most appropriate sequences to design guide RNAs - and optimization of the experimental conditions enable robust procedures which can provide successful introduction of the desired mutation. Due to these factors, the genome engineering segment is expected to see significant growth.

CRISPR also holds the ability to become an alternative biotechnology treatment for supplementing or a substitute for existing single-antibody drugs. Genome editing that is meant to switch on the immune response for targeting cancer is expected to drive industrial growth significantly. The variety of available Cas proteins and the flexibility of guide RNA production make this technique a powerful system for all applications of genome editing. Furthermore, the increasing fundings allocated for the biotechnology and genomics research and development programs are further driving the growth of the market.

North America Dominates the Market and Expected to do Same in the Forecast Period

North America is expected to dominate the overall CRISPR and CRISPR-Associated (Cas) genes market throughout the forecast period. The market growth is due to factors such as the presence of key players, increasing funding in biotechnology and genomics programs, established healthcare infrastructure, which are some of the key factors accountable for its large share in the market.

Furthermore, beneficial government initiatives and an increase in the number of research partnerships are some of the drivers expected to increase the market growth. Over the years, companies have collaborated with their peers to tap into certain niche segments of the CRISPR and CRISPR-Associated (Cas) genes market. In February 2020, Biogen Inc. and Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. announced a global licensing collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize ST-501 for tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease, ST-502 for synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease, a third undisclosed neuromuscular disease target, and up to nine additional undisclosed neurological disease targets. The companies aim to leverage Sangamo’s proprietary zinc finger protein (ZFP) technology delivered via adeno-associated virus (AAV) to modulate the expression of key genes involved in neurological diseases.

In this region the United States has the maximum share due to supportive healthcare policies, the high incidence of chronic diseases, and a developed healthcare market.

Competitive Landscape

The CRISPR and CRISPR-associated (Cas) genes market is moderately consolidated and consists of a few major players. Some of the market players are OriGene Technologies, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Takara Bio Inc, Horizon Discovery Ltd., Addgene, Merck KGaA, Caribou Biosciences, Inc., CRISPR THERAPEUTICS, Editas Medicine, and Mirus Bio LLC.

Additionally, the key players have been involved in various startegic alliances such as acquisitions, collaborations, financing along with the launch of advanced products to secure the position in the global market. For instance, in March 2021, Caribou Biosciences, Inc., a major clinical-stage CRISPR genome editing firm, announced that it had completed a Series C financing of USD 115 million.

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