According to a new report published by Introspective Market Research, titled, “MicroRNA Market by Product & Service, Application, and End User,” The Global MicroRNA Market Size Was Valued at USD 2.90 Billion in 2024 and is Projected to Reach USD 14.70 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 15.9%.
The microRNA (miRNA) market encompasses a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector focused on the research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications of microRNAs small, non-coding RNA molecules that play a critical role in regulating gene expression. This market includes tools for miRNA isolation, quantification, and profiling (qRT-PCR, microarrays, NGS), functional analysis services, and a burgeoning pipeline of miRNA-based therapeutics and diagnostics. The primary advantage of miRNA lies in its fundamental role as a master regulator of cellular processes, offering unparalleled insights into disease mechanisms that traditional single-gene or protein-based approaches often miss.
The primary growth driver for the miRNA market is the exponential increase in research and clinical validation of miRNAs as potent, non-invasive biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and personalized medicine. The discovery that miRNAs are stably expressed in biofluids like blood, serum, and urine has revolutionized liquid biopsy development. This allows for the detection of cancers, cardiovascular events, and neurological disorders long before symptoms appear or through simple blood tests, offering a significant advantage over invasive tissue biopsies. The concurrent expansion of high-throughput sequencing and advanced bioinformatics to analyze complex miRNA signatures is rapidly translating research findings into commercially viable diagnostic panels, creating a powerful and sustained demand for miRNA analysis tools and services.
A substantial market opportunity exists in the clinical translation and commercialization of miRNA-based therapeutics. While the diagnostic segment is mature, the therapeutic pipeline is now yielding promising clinical candidates. The opportunity lies in developing effective delivery systems (like lipid nanoparticles or viral vectors) to target specific tissues and advancing RNA chemistry to enhance stability and efficacy. Companies that can successfully navigate the regulatory pathway and bring to market first-in-class miRNA therapies for conditions with high unmet need such as certain cancers, fibrotic diseases, or rare genetic disorders stand to capture a high-value segment of the market and establish a dominant position in this emerging therapeutic class.
MicroRNA Market, Segmentation
The MicroRNA Market is segmented on the basis of Product & Service, Application, and End User.
Product & Service
The Product & Service segment is further classified into Tools & Services (Isolation, Detection, Functional Analysis) and Therapeutics. Among these, the Tools & Services sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2024. This dominance is fueled by the ubiquitous and foundational need for miRNA research tools across all biomedical sectors. The continuous demand for reliable kits for miRNA extraction, sensitive detection platforms like qRT-PCR and NGS, and comprehensive functional analysis services from academic, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic labs forms a consistent and high-volume revenue stream, underpinning the entire market's growth as therapeutic and diagnostic applications develop.
Application
The Application segment is further classified into Cancer, Infectious Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, Neurological Disease, and Others. Among these, the Cancer sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2024. Oncology is the most active field for miRNA research and application due to miRNAs' crucial role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. The urgent need for early detection, precise stratification of cancer subtypes, and monitoring of minimal residual disease has driven massive investment into developing miRNA signatures as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for a wide range of cancers, making this the largest and fastest-growing application area.
Some of The Leading/Active Market Players Are-
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (USA)
- QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands)
- Merck KGaA (Germany)
- Illumina, Inc. (USA)
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland)
- Synlogic, Inc. (USA)
- Horizon Discovery Ltd. (PerkinElmer) (UK)
- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (USA)
- NanoString Technologies, Inc. (USA)
- GeneCopoeia, Inc. (USA)
- New England Biolabs (USA)
- Quantabio (USA)
- miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. (USA)
- Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (USA)
- Dharmacon (Horizon Discovery) (USA)
- and other active players.
Key Industry Developments
In February 2024, QIAGEN launched a new modular digital PCR (dPCR) system with enhanced applications for ultra-sensitive and absolute quantification of circulating miRNAs in liquid biopsy samples for oncology research.
This launch addresses the critical need for higher precision in low-abundance miRNA detection in clinical samples, strengthening the technological foundation for developing robust and reproducible miRNA-based liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection.
In November 2023, Regulus Therapeutics announced positive preclinical data for its lead anti-miRNA therapeutic, RG-012, for the treatment of Alport syndrome, demonstrating target engagement and reduction of disease biomarkers.
This development highlights the progressing maturity of the miRNA therapeutic pipeline, showcasing the movement of candidates from discovery into advanced preclinical and clinical stages for specific renal and fibrotic diseases, validating the therapeutic potential of the platform.
Key Findings of the Study
- The Tools & Services segment dominates the market, driven by foundational research demand.
- Cancer is the leading application area for miRNA biomarkers and research.
- Growth is fueled by the adoption of miRNAs in liquid biopsy and early disease diagnostics.
- North America holds the largest revenue share, with significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The transition from research tools to clinical diagnostics and therapeutics represents the key market evolution.
