Tissue Sectioning Market Size, Share, Growth Report 2032

Tissue Sectioning Industry Prospective:

The global tissue sectioning market size was worth around USD 580.96 million in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 1,205.84 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 9.56% between 2023 and 2030.

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Tissue Sectioning Market: Overview

Tissue sectioning is defined as the process of cutting biological tissues into thin slices for research and examination. This process is an integral part of pathology and histology as tissue sectioning helps to gain a microscopic view of biological tissues for further examination, diagnosis of specific diseases, and research purposes. The procedure requires tissues to be embedded with paraffin or optimal cutting temperature (OCT) before being sectioned. The slices are then mounted on different slides for study. It is possible to generate sections from tissue microarrays and whole blocks.

One of the basic principles governing tissue sectioning is that the slices should not exhibit any form of folds, wrinkles, or air bubbles and the sections should be cut at 3-4 microns. If the tissue section is thick, it can pick up additional stains making interpretation and examination difficult. On the other hand, folds or wrinkles may trap additional reagents leading to the generation of non-essential artifacts on the slides. Tissue sectioning is divided into two primary categories that are frozen and paraffin sectioning with each category being used under specific conditions and causes. The market for tissue sectioning is expected to continue growing at a consistent pace during the forecast period.

Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global tissue sectioning market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 9.56% over the forecast period (2023-2030)
• In terms of revenue, the global tissue sectioning market size was valued at around USD 580.96 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1,205.84 million by 2030.
• The tissue sectioning market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the urgent demand for effective cancer treatments
• Based on application segmentation, the diagnosis was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2022
• Based on end-user segmentation, diagnostic laboratories were the leading segment in 2022
• On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2022

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Tissue Sectioning Market: Growth Drivers

Urgent demand for effective cancer treatments to drive market growth rate

The global tissue sectioning market is projected to grow owing to the urgent demand for effective treatments for several types of cancer. A recent report by the World Cancer Research Fund International reported that more than 18.1 million cancer cases were registered globally in 2020. It is one of the leading causes of disease-led deaths worldwide impacting people of all age groups, genders, and social strata. The cancer research community has been working consistently over the years to develop effective treatment plans for the disease. Significant developments have been observed in recent times with several new cancer-treating drugs undergoing clinical trials and showing positive results.

In 2022 research, around 18 patients with rectal cancer underwent a small clinical trial for 6 months under the guidance of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The patients were treated with Dostarlimab and a breakthrough was reported when all of the patients registered shrinking cancer tumors. However, the medicine is still under research and study and is considered a ‘possible’ treatment for rectal cancer. Similar strides have been observed across other forms of cancer.

In August 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it had approved Pfizer's (PFE.N) therapy that can be used for treating patients with a specific type of blood cancer that has not found any cure yet and is considered difficult to treat. The treatment will encompass the use of Elrexfio suffering from multiple myeloma. Such factors are likely to push the demand for tissue sectioning as the process is highly crucial in examining cancer cells and gaining critical insights into the overall composition and behavior of cancerous tissues.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Restraints

High cost of equipment and dependence on technical experts for accurate results to restrict market growth

The global tissue sectioning industry growth is expected to be impacted by the high cost of equipment and analysis used for the sectioning of biological tissues. The process is highly sophisticated and requires technical expertise which is also another growth barrier since there is a significant lack of availability of tissue sectioning experts. As per research, cryostats that are used for preparing tissue sections in frozen format may cost between USD 8000 to USD 12000.

Furthermore, the process is plagued by several technical difficulties. For instance, in under-processed and under-fixed time, it is difficult to obtain complete sections. Additionally, in case the tissue is not completely embedded in the proper orientation, microtomists will be unable to cut a suitable section for further diagnosis.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Opportunities

Increased research, development, and innovation in tissue sectioning segment to create higher growth opportunities

The global tissue sectioning market is likely to be positively impacted by the increasing research and innovation in technologies either related to tissue sectioning or complementary science. A prime example is the growing popularity and acceptance of rotary microtomes that have managed to completely disrupt traditional methods of sledge microtomes. The rotary versions are not only considered safer to use but also offer improved precision. Some of the advantages of these variants include an ergonomic design that accompanies comfortable hand rests, adjustable handwheels, and user-friendly interfaces.

Furthermore, they are also equipped with adjustable knife angle and speed along with a micrometer-driven specimen advance mechanism. Market research predictions indicate that the future of tissue sectioning is expected to be in the form of a digital revolution as pathologists move toward integrating tissue sectioning and diagnosis with computer screens and digital image processing systems that help in performing intricate quantitative analysis. The new-age digital imaging tools are expected to contribute to scanning tissue slides in high resolutions thus improving research efficiency.

Surging investments toward the development of biobanks to deliver better results

Biobanks are a variant of biorepositories as they are used for storing healthy and precise biological samples for use in research and development. The growing investments in creating a robust biobank infrastructure globally could further impact the demand for tissue sectioning.

In November 2023, with the latest addition to the UK Biobank, the world gained access to over half a million people’s whole genome sequences for research. The UK Biobank has been collecting samples for more than 20 years.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Challenges

Ongoing development of competing technologies could challenge the market growth rate

The global tissue sectioning industry is expected to be challenged by the ongoing development of alternate technologies that could significantly outshine the efficiency of tissue sectioning procedures. Some of the new alternate technologies include 3D reconstruction and cleared tissue techniques along with others. Additional challenges may arise in the form of a high risk of contamination of samples and variability along with regulatory complications.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Segmentation

The global tissue sectioning market is segmented based on application, product, end-user, technology, and region.

Based on application, the global market is divided into research and diagnosis. In 2022, the highest growth was observed in the diagnosis segment due to the increased number of medical patients globally. Factors that influenced higher segmental growth include the higher level of access to medical care, increased medical expenditure, and rising population. The research segment is also a significant contributor majorly led by government bodies and dominant players in the medical research sector that continue to spend on novel drugs, diagnosis, and treatment programs. In 2022, China spent nearly 7% of its gross domestic product on medical research.

Based on product, the global market is segmented into accessories, consumables, instruments, and services.

Based on end-user, the global tissue sectioning industry is divided into research centers, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and clinics. In 2022, the leading segment was diagnostic laboratories followed by research centers. The increased influx of patients in the last 2 to 3 years mainly as a result of COVID-19 along with other serious medical conditions led to higher segmental growth. As of 2021, COVID-19 has resulted in the death of more than 1.7 million people globally.

Based on technology manual, semi-automatic, and automatic are the global market divisions.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Report Scope

Tissue Sectioning Market: Regional Analysis

North America to emerge victorious during the forecast period

The global tissue sectioning market will be led by North America during the projection period. The US is expected to play a significant role in the regional market growth rate led by the existence of a sturdy and innovation-oriented medical research community. In 2020, the country spent USD 245.2 billion on medical and health research and development while more investments are expected in the coming years. The region is further impacted by the presence of world leaders in terms of pharmaceutical and healthcare giants.

For instance, in December 2023, Pfizer, a leading US-based pharmaceutical company, announced the results of phase 2b results for its oral Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP) agonist called Danuglipron for treating adults with obesity. In addition to this, the US is considered highly sophisticated in terms of cancer treatment including difficult-to-treat forms. The country has one of the highest rates of medical tourism especially concerning cancer treatment. Europe is projected to register significant revenue. The growing rate of geriatric population along with higher access to primary medical care could lead to regional expansion.

Tissue Sectioning Market: Competitive Analysis

The global tissue sectioning market is led by players like:

• Leica Biosystems
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• HistoCore
• Sakura Finetek USA Inc.
• Boeckeler Instruments Inc.
• Technologies
• Jinhua YIDI Medical Appliance Co. Ltd.
• Agilent
• Diapath S.p.A.
• Intelsint
• MICROM International GmbH
• MEDITE GmbH
• RMC Boeckeler
• Milestone Srl
• SLEE Medical GmbH.

The global tissue sectioning market is segmented as follows:

By Application

• Research
• Diagnosis

By Product

• Accessories & Consumables
• Instruments
• Services

By End-User

• Research Centers
• Hospitals
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Clinics

By Technology

• Manual
• Semi-Automatic
• Automatic

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa