Serum Free Media Global Market Report 2024

The serum free media market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.45 billion in 2023 to $1.63 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in cell culture technologies, the influence of regulatory restrictions prompting the adoption of serum-free media, a growing demand for biopharmaceuticals, and efforts to reduce the risk of contamination in cell culture processes. These factors collectively contributed to the trends and developments in the use of serum-free media during the specified historical timeframe.

The serum free media market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.49 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to various factors, including the expansion of bioprocessing capabilities, advancements in cell therapy, supportive regulatory measures, ongoing stem cell research, and the increasing demand for vaccine production. Key trends expected during this period encompass technological innovations, a shift towards animal component-free solutions, the development of customized media formulations, the adoption of microcarrier culture systems, and a growing emphasis on continuous bioprocessing methods. These trends collectively reflect the dynamic landscape of cell culture and serum-free media applications, driven by evolving technologies and the demands of the biopharmaceutical industry.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is poised to propel the expansion of the serum-free media market. Chronic diseases endure for extended periods, necessitating continual medical attention and often restricting daily activities. Serum-free media play a crucial role by enabling researchers to tailor the media to specific cell types, ensuring optimal growth conditions for cells. Researchers utilize serum-free media to cultivate cell types or perform specialized applications without serum, aiding in the development of new therapies and treatments for chronic diseases. For instance, projections from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in January 2023 anticipated a substantial surge of 99.5% by 2050 in the number of individuals aged 50 years and older afflicted with at least one chronic illness, climbing from 71.522 million in 2020 to 142.66 million. Thus, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases acts as a driving force behind the growth of the serum-free media market.

The escalating number of clinical trials is anticipated to drive the expansion of the serum-free media market. Clinical trials involve research studies conducted with human participants to assess the safety, efficacy, and/or effectiveness of new medical interventions, treatments, drugs, devices, or therapeutic strategies. Serum-free media contribute to the success of clinical trials by establishing a controlled and defined cell culture environment, ensuring scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and addressing safety and ethical considerations in cell-based research. For example, data from ClinicalTrials.gov in December 2023 indicated that in 2022, a total of 437,515 clinical trials were registered, with 56,561 successfully completed. By December 20 of the subsequent year, there was an upsurge in both registration and completion figures, with 476,626 trials registered and 61,504 trials already completed. Therefore, the escalating number of clinical trials serves as a driving force behind the growth of the serum-free media market.

Product innovation has emerged as a pivotal trend gaining momentum in the serum-free media market. Key players within this market segment are focused on innovating new products to fortify their market positions. An illustration of this occurred in March 2021 when Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a US-based provider of medical equipment, introduced Gibco CTS OpTmizer Pro Serum-Free Media (SFM). This groundbreaking media solution is uniquely designed to target the metabolism of healthy donor cells, making it an optimal choice for the development of over-the-counter, allogeneic cell therapies. Employing allogeneic processes, Gibco CTS OpTmizer Pro facilitates the generation and amplification of human T lymphocytes (T-cells), catering to cell therapy developers.

Major companies operating in the serum-free media market are prioritizing partnerships to bolster their market profitability. Partnerships in serum-free media involve collaborative agreements and alliances among entities such as biotechnology firms, research institutions, and healthcare organizations, aimed at joint development, manufacturing, or advancement of serum-free cell culture media. For instance, in April 2023, Multus Biotechnology, a US-based manufacturer specializing in livestock farming growth media, partnered with Appleton Woods Limited, a UK-based supplier of laboratory equipment and reagents, to introduce Proliferum LSR. Multus introduced Proliferum LSR, an environmentally sustainable serum-free medium for cell growth, offering researchers consistent and reproducible outcomes while serving as an alternative to Fetal Bovine Serum. Additionally, the collaboration between Multus and Appleton Woods focuses on the exclusive distribution of Multus' Advanced Serum Free media range in the UK, aiming to provide advanced growth media formulations to life science researchers and contribute to the development of the sector. Multus' product portfolio includes Vitronectin, a recombinant human protein that enhances cell attachment and supports normal colony morphology across various cell types.

In December 2021, BSF Enterprise PLC, a UK-based investment company, successfully acquired 3D Bio-Tissues LTD. for a deal valued at $2.80 million. This strategic acquisition played a pivotal role in enabling 3D Bio-Tissues to expand and enhance its portfolios, specifically focusing on serum-free media and skin care products. 3D Bio-Tissues Ltd., the acquired company, is a UK-based manufacturer specializing in the production of serum-free media and skin care products.

Major companies operating in the serum free media market report are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Danaher Corp., Merck KgaA, FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific Inc., GE HealthCare Technologies Inc., Corning Inc., Lonza Group AG, Illumina Inc., Cytiva, Sigma-Aldrich, Bio-Techne Corporation, Serumwerk Bernburg AG, STEMCELL Technologies Inc., MP Bio medicals LLC, Gemcell Electrical Group., InVitria Inc., Takara Bio Inc., HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., PAA Laboratories GmbH, PromoCell GmbH, Cellgenix Gmbh, Biochrom AG, Biological Industries, Pan Biotech GmbH, Biowest SAS, Bovogen Biologicals Pty Ltd, Athena Environmental Sciences Inc., Cell Culture Technologies LLC., BioSpherix Ltd., ZenBio Inc.


North America was the largest region in the serum-free media market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the serum free media market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the serum free media market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary types of serum-free media include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell media, protein expression media, immunology media, insect cell media, hybridoma media, stem cell media, and chemically defined media. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell media, for example, is a chemically defined, protein-free, and serum-free medium specifically tailored for the proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and the expression of recombinant proteins in suspension culture. It finds applications in diverse fields such as biopharmaceutical production, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Users of this type of media include biopharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, academic research centers, and various other end-users.

The serum-free media research report is one of a series of new reports that provides serum-free media market statistics, including the serum-free media industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with serum-free media market share, detailed serum-free media market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the serum-free media industry. This serum-free media market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The serum-free media market consists of sales of xeno-free, protein-free, and benchstable media. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.