Cell-Based Ophthalmic Therapies Market Report 2025

The cell-based ophthalmic therapies market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.22 billion in 2024 to $1.48 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of eye disorders, rising demand for vision restoration, growing adoption of regenerative medicine, higher incidence of age-related degenerative conditions, and expanding investments in clinical trials.

The cell-based ophthalmic therapies market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.14 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing success of cell therapies, rising global healthcare expenditures, a growing geriatric population, an expanding pipeline of innovative products, and wider utilization of stem cells. Key trends during the forecast period include advancements in stem cell and gene-editing technologies, development of targeted drug delivery systems, innovations in regenerative medicine for retinal and corneal tissue restoration, improvements in biomaterials to enhance cell therapy safety and efficacy, and the establishment of international collaborations.

The rising prevalence of ophthalmic disorders is expected to drive the growth of the cell-based ophthalmic therapies market in the coming years. Ophthalmic disorders encompass conditions that affect eye health and vision, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease. The prevalence of these disorders is increasing due to an aging population, which faces a higher risk of vision impairment and related complications as life expectancy rises. Cell-based ophthalmic therapies offer innovative solutions by repairing or replacing damaged retinal and ocular cells, promoting regeneration, restoring vision, and improving overall eye function. For example, in September 2023, the Association of Optometrists in the UK reported that England recorded 22,552 new vision impairment certifications in 2022, including 1,344 cases from diabetic eye disease, 3,614 from glaucoma, and 10,865 from age-related macular degeneration. Therefore, the growing burden of ophthalmic disorders is fueling market expansion for cell-based therapies.

Key players in the market are advancing treatments such as allogeneic cell therapy to address corneal endothelial diseases. Allogeneic cell therapy uses stem cells or other donor-derived cells from genetically distinct individuals of the same species to repair or replace damaged tissues. In September 2024, Aurion Biotech, Inc., a US-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, launched Vyznova (neltependocel) in Japan for the treatment of bullous keratopathy, a debilitating corneal endothelial disorder. Vyznova is believed to be the first approved allogeneic cell therapy specifically targeting corneal endothelial disease, securing both regulatory and reimbursement approvals in Japan.

In March 2025, Alcon Inc., a Switzerland-based eye care company, acquired a majority interest in Aurion Biotech, Inc. Through this acquisition, Alcon aims to advance Aurion’s clinical-stage allogeneic cell therapy, AURN001, into Phase 3 development for corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease, while expanding its ophthalmic pharmaceutical portfolio. Aurion Biotech develops advanced cell therapies aimed at treating eye disorders, reinforcing Alcon’s commitment to innovative ophthalmic treatments.

Major players in the cell-based ophthalmic therapies market are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Bayer AG, Novartis AG, Astellas Pharma Inc., Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., Healios K.K., Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Pandorum Technologies Pvt. Ltd., ActualEyes Inc., Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., Coave Therapeutics SAS, jCyte Inc., Eyestem Research Pvt. Ltd., Opsis Therapeutics, Regenerative Patch Technologies LLC, Emmetrope Ophthalmics LLC, GenSight Biologics S.A., MEDIPOST Co. Ltd., Riken, Luxa Biotechnology Inc.

North America was the largest region in the cell-based ophthalmic therapies market in 2024. The regions covered in cell-based ophthalmic therapies market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the cell-based ophthalmic therapies market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the pharmaceutical companies contend with tariffs on APIs, glass vials, and lab equipment inputs with few alternative sources. Generic drug makers, operating on razor-thin margins, are especially vulnerable, with some reducing production of low-profit medicines. Biotech firms face delays in clinical trials due to tariff-related shortages of specialized reagents. In response, the industry is expanding API production in India and Europe, increasing inventory stockpiles, and pushing for trade exemptions for essential medicines.

Cell-based ophthalmic therapies are treatments for eye disorders that utilize living cells to repair, replace, or protect damaged ocular tissues. They address eye conditions that are challenging to treat with conventional approaches by promoting tissue regeneration and enhancing eye function. These therapies offer promising, long-lasting solutions for vision impairment and improve patients’ eyesight and overall quality of life through advanced regenerative medicine.

The primary types of cell-based ophthalmic therapies include stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Stem cell therapy involves the use of stem cells to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged or diseased tissues and organs. It is applied in various conditions such as retinal disorders, corneal disorders, glaucoma, and more, and is utilized by hospitals, ophthalmic clinics, research institutes, and other end users.

The cell-based ophthalmic therapies market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cell-based ophthalmic therapies market statistics, including the cell-based ophthalmic therapies industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cell-based ophthalmic therapies market share, detailed cell-based ophthalmic therapies market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cell-based ophthalmic therapies industry. This cell-based ophthalmic therapies 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 cell-based ophthalmic therapies market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as clinical trial services, ocular cell therapy consultation, post-therapy monitoring and support, research and development services, and regulatory and compliance services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The cell-based ophthalmic therapies market also includes sales of neural progenitor cell injections, bioengineered retinal pigment epithelium scaffolds, autologous mesenchymal stem cell grafts, and ex-vivo expanded conjunctival epithelial cell sheets. 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.

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