Nucleic Acid Based Therapeutics Market Size

Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics Market Analysis

The Nucleic Acid Based Therapeutics Market size is estimated at USD 5.59 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 10.90 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 14.29% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The demand for nucleic acid-based therapeutics increased over the past two years as they were effectively used to develop COVID-19 disease therapeutics. As per the article published by MDPI in February 2022, nucleic acid-based technologies, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and micro RNAs (miRNAs), were the most promising ones to combat the COVID-19 virus. These therapeutics can suppress viral gene expression during and after transcription, presenting significant growth opportunities. As per an article published in MDPI, in August 2022, over 400 RNA-targeting drug development projects were conducted globally, two-thirds of which are in the pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) stage, one-third in early clinical trials (Phase I or II), about 3% in Phase III, and some awaiting regulatory approval for COVID-19 treatment. Thus, with the increasing development of RNA therapeutics, the studied market is expected to grow over the forecast period.

Factors such as the surging prevalence of genetic disease, growing investments in the healthcare sector and rapid shift of the pharmaceutical industry toward innovative biologics are expected to boost the market's growth over the forecast period.

The increasing prevalence of genetic diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, thalassemia, and others is the key factor driving the demand for nucleic acid-based therapeutics to treat diseases by correcting the abnormal expression of specific genes. For instance, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation data published in July 2022, in the United States, 40,000 children and adults have cystic fibrosis (CF). As per the same source, an estimated 105,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in 94 countries in 2022. Thus, the high burden of cystic fibrosis among the population is expected to positively impact the market.

The rising number of investments in nucleic acid therapeutics owing to the high prevalence of chronic, genetic, and other diseases is anticipated to augment the market's growth. For instance, in March 2023, Switch Therapeutics raised USD 52 million in a Series A financing round co-led by Insight Partners and UCB Ventures. The company used these funds to select and advance the development of siRNA therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a central nervous system disease, as well as to advance its RNAi technology. Market players are investing in nucleic acid-based therapy R&D to expand the product portfolio in nucleic acid-based therapy. For instance, in January 2023, Agilent Technologies Inc. invested USD 725 million in nucleic acid-based therapeutics. The investment will double the manufacturing capacity to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Companies' growing focus on collaborations, partnerships, new product launches, and other initiatives increases the availability of novel therapeutic drugs in the market, which may propel the market's growth. For instance, in February 2023, the CMT Research Foundation partnered with Nanite Inc. to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of antisense oligonucleotides in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. In October 2022, Neuway Pharma GmbH and Wacker launched a research project to identify and manufacture RNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of central nervous system disorders with the use of EnPC (Engineered Protein Capsules) protein-based drug delivery technology.

Therefore, owing to the high burden of genetic diseases, increasing investments, and new product launches, the market studied is anticipated to grow over the forecast period. However, the high cost of nucleic acid-based therapeutics research is likely to impede the market's growth.