Global Fetal Bovine Serum Market Size

Fetal Bovine Serum Market Analysis

The global fetal bovine serum market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of nearly 9.2% during the forecast period 2021-2026.

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a positive impact on the fetal bovine serum market. Fetal bovine serum is used extensively in in-vitro cell-culture preparation and vaccine production. Fetal bovine serum is used as a supplement in the growth media for vaccines. Due to the high transmission rate and lack of treatment, many countries are suffering due to the impact of the pandemic, and they are continuing to bear a significant burden on both their economies and healthcare systems. Many countries were and are still under lockdown. They suspended the trades with other countries and implemented travel restrictions, leading to a decline in the market capitalizations of major companies across the world. However, the situation is improving gradually. The current COVID-19 outbreak is having a positive impact on the growth of the market as biopharmaceutical innovators are at the forefront of in vitro research and development for the search of vaccine and antiviral. The in vitro evaluation of vaccine and antivirals generally requires a culture media in which the targeted virus or bacteria is cultured and the response is identified. The rising focus of pharmaceutical industries on research and development is fueling the demand for culture media, further fueling demand for fetal bovine serum.

According to a research article titled 'Role of Viral Transport Media in Sustaining COVID-19 Testing' published in October 2020, Viral Transport Media is generally composed of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). A viral transport media is used for preserving and transporting samples. A viral transport media (VTM) is preferred over other types, as it is a non-toxic mixture of antimicrobials and buffered solutions that can preserve the COVID-19 virus while eliminating contaminant flora that might interfere with testing. Fetal Bovine Serum-based VTM has proven compatibility with a wide range of clinical tests from PCR to direct antigen testing to culture, allowing different tests to be run from the same sample. Thus, the fetal bovine serum market is expected to experience rapid growth.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is the most widely used growth supplement for cell culture because it cost-effectively supports the survival and growth of many cell lines. However, the FDA has put several requirements for the production process due to the risk of contamination. The increase in demand from users of traditional serum and the advancement in the research and academic initiatives by the private and government sectors are the major factors contributing toward the market growth. Fetal bovine serum is very important for novel research in drug development, and it finds diverse applications in cell-based biopharmaceutical research. Fetal bovine serum is an important feedstock in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and veterinary industries. Thus, the expansion of these industries is anticipated to fuel the global fetal bovine serum market growth.

Additionally, fetal bovine serum is also used as an additional media supplement for cell culture due to the high content of embryonic growth-promoting factors. The serum is considered one of the most effective growth promoters compared to the other animal-based serums available for most cell culture systems, indicative of an increase in the use of fetal bovine serum, which is expected to fuel the market growth.

Alternatively, scientific and ethical concerns are associated with the potential misuse of biotechnology research practices. There is also a lack in the number of skilled personnel due to which the fetal bovine serum market growth is restricted. In addition, the fetal bovine serum market is experiencing a major shift, primarily due to a significant rise in prices of fetal bovine serum over the recent years, which also acts as a key restraint.