The global 3D cell culture market is expected to reach USD 1345.2 million by 2021 from USD 466.8 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 23.6%. The global 3D cell culture market is broadly classified by technology, application, end user, and region.

On the basis of technology, the 3D cell culture market is segmented into scaffold-based and scaffold free. The scaffold-based segment is further categorized into hydrogels/ECM analogs, solid scaffolds, micropatterned surfaces, and others. Scaffold free segment is further classified into attachment resistant surfaces and suspension cultures. Scaffold-based segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global 3D cell culture market in 2016. Due to the variety of material and structural choices for scaffold, they are widely used in various applications in the market. Also, as they provide a surface on which the cells can grow, they can easily impart 3D growth with little alteration to cell culture procedures.

On the basis of type of application, the 3D cell culture market is segmented into cell-based assays/toxicity screening, cancer cell research, 3D printing/microfluidics, regenerative medicine, and in vivo applications for stem cell. The cancer cell research segment is expected to account for the largest share of this market. The rising incidences of cancer have created a need for conducting research to develop new treatment options. As cell culture techniques are used in the R&D and production of vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, and antibiotics, this factor can be expected to drive the market for 3D cell culture.

End users of the 3D cell culture market are research laboratories & institutes, biotechnology & pharmaceutical industries, and hospitals & diagnostic centers. The biotechnology & pharmaceutical industries segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global 3D cell culture market in 2016. The rising incidences of cancer has created a need for advanced drugs and therapies, thus leading for the largest share of this segment.

Geographically, the 3D cell culture market is dominated by North America, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). Growth in the North American segment is primarily driven by increasing government support in the form of grants and funding, rising incidences of cancer, expanding biopharmaceutical industry, and launch of new products in the market.