Real-time PCR Market - Forecast(2025 - 2031)

 Real-time PCR Market Overview:

The Real-time PCR Market is projected to reach $10.53 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2031. The growing prevalence of genetic disorders, chronic and infectious diseases, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is expected to drive the real-time, digital, and end-point PCR market in the coming years. According to the CDC, congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects, affecting about 1% of births annually in the U.S., and early detection of genetic variations through prenatal testing supports timely disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Similarly, the rising incidence of diseases such as HIV, HPV, Alzheimer's, Streptococcal infections, Turner syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease is expanding the target population. For instance, an article by UpToDate, Inc. highlighted a surge in invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections among children under 10 in several European countries during the fall and winter of 2022–2023. The use of polymerase chain reaction allows for rapid detection of such infectious diseases, enabling prompt intervention and appropriate treatment, which is especially crucial in overcoming the limitations of traditional methods, such as the slow detection of tuberculosis. Consequently, the increasing burden of chronic diseases is anticipated to present significant growth opportunities for the PCR market.

Report Coverage

The report: “Real-time PCR Market – Forecast (2025-2031)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Real-time PCR Industry. 
 
By Product & Services Type: Consumables and Reagents, Instruments, and Software & Services. 

By Technology Type: Quantitative and Digital.

 By Application: Clinical (Oncology Testing, Blood Screening, and Pathogen Testing) followed by Research, Forensics, Hospital Diagnostic Center, Research Laboratory Academic Institute, Forensic Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Company, and Clinical Research Organization.

By Geography - North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and RoW (Middle East and Africa).

Real-time PCR Market Segmentation Analysis – By Product & Services Type

The consumables and reagents segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2024, driven by their critical role in enhancing assay performance and enabling standardized workflows across various applications, including food testing, cancer and infectious disease detection, and forensic analysis. The rising global disease burden, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly increased the demand for PCR-related consumables and reagents. Rapid development of novel reagents has further supported this growth, as seen in January 2023 when F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd introduced the VirSNiP SARS-CoV-2 Spike F486P PCR test targeting the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant for research purposes. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, widespread adoption of PCR technologies, and growing investment by the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors in advanced diagnostics and therapeutic research have further fueled the demand for innovative consumables and reagents.

Real-time PCR Market Segmentation Analysis - By Technology Type

In 2023, the Quantitative PCR (qPCR) segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 83.34%, driven by its high accuracy, precision, and time efficiency. Widely used in gene expression quantification, pathogen detection, SNP genotyping, microRNA analysis, and more, qPCR continues to gain traction due to technological advancements and its role as a validation tool in genotyping. For example, in February 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. launched Applied Biosystems TaqPath PCR kits for detecting various pathogens and genetic conditions. Meanwhile, the Digital PCR (dPCR) segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, fueled by innovations in chip and droplet-based platforms, and increasing adoption in gene and cell therapy applications. Notable developments, such as QIAGEN's July 2022 expansion of its QIAcuity digital PCR portfolio and the March 2023 agreement between Stilla Technologies and Atila Biosystems to introduce oncological dPCR kits, along with ongoing regulatory approvals and strategic initiatives, are expected to further boost the adoption and market growth of real-time, digital, and end-point PCR technologies.

Real-time PCR Market Segmentation Analysis - By Application

In 2023, the clinical segment accounted for the largest market share, driven by the widespread adoption of PCR in clinical diagnostics due to its broad range of applications, including pathogen detection, genetic testing, oncology, pharmacogenomics, prenatal screening, and forensics. According to a June 2023 article in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications, PCR techniques are widely used to analyze the relationship between an individual’s genetic profile and drug response by amplifying specific genetic markers, thereby aiding in personalized treatment decisions. Meanwhile, the forensic segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to the high sensitivity and specificity of PCR, reduced labor and assay time, and the elimination of isotopic labeling. Real-time, digital, and end-point PCR technologies also allow for the amplification of degraded DNA samples, facilitating accurate typing, as PCR-generated alleles are smaller than those detected by traditional RFLP analysis. Furthermore, the combination of PCR with VNTR loci and advanced electrophoretic systems has proven highly effective in human identification, driving the segment’s expansion.

Real-time PCR Market Segmentation Analysis - By Geography

In 2024, North America led the market, driven by the rising incidence of chronic and infectious diseases, genetic disorders, a growing geriatric population, and increasing demand for rapid diagnostic tests. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 16.9% of the U.S. population—over 56 million people—are aged 65 and above, further contributing to healthcare demand. The region's dominance is also supported by strong investments in gene-based research and the presence of key market players such as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., and Agilent Technologies. Notable developments include BD and CerTest Biotec receiving EUA from the U.S. FDA in January 2023 for a PCR test targeting the Mpox virus, and LexaGene’s launch of a microfluidic PCR device in January 2021. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing and most lucrative market, fueled by high unmet clinical needs, increasing healthcare spending, rapid technological advancements, and a rising prevalence of target diseases. Government initiatives to enhance public health and growing demand for advanced diagnostic solutions are expected to further drive the adoption of real-time, digital, and end-point PCR technologies in the region.

Real-time PCR Market Drivers

The growing number of newly launched real-time PCR systems

The growing number of new real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system launches by leading market players is expected to significantly boost the real-time PCR market during the forecast period. Real-time PCR enables accurate and efficient gene expression analysis, minimizing false negatives by automatically detecting successful reactions early in the process, unlike traditional PCR methods.
For example, in November 2023, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd introduced the next-generation LightCycler PRO System, designed to enhance molecular diagnostics. This advanced real-time PCR system bridges the gap between in-vitro diagnostics and translational research, offering improved performance and user-friendliness. Notably, it is suitable for both research and clinical diagnostic applications, allowing laboratories to seamlessly transition from research to patient testing.

Real-time PCR Market Challenges

Challenges and constraints related to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) faces several challenges that could hinder market growth. According to a May 2023 report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, high costs and the technical complexity of detection methods, such as electrochemical amplicon or fluorophore-assisted techniques, limit the feasibility of point-of-care applications. Additionally, the time-consuming amplification process and operational complexity make real-time PCR less effective for rapidly diagnosing acute infectious diseases. Limited access to advanced equipment, particularly in underdeveloped regions like parts of Africa, further restricts its use. Moreover, PCR alone may not suffice for identifying microbial species or assessing their viability, necessitating complementary bacteriological methods. These limitations underscore the need for ongoing technological advancements to improve the efficiency and accessibility of real-time PCR.

 Real-time PCR Market Competitive Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Drilling Fluids Market. Major players in the Real-time PCR Market include: Abbott Laboratories, Inc; Affymetrix, Inc; Agilent Technologies, Inc; Bio-Rad Laboratory Inc; Biomrieux S A; Cepheid; F. Hoffman-La Roche; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc; Fluidigm Corporation; GE Healthcare.