Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2033

The global nucleic acid therapeutics market size was valued at USD 5.17 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 15.52 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.62% from 2024 to 2033. The growing number of diabetes patients across the world is driving the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Key Takeaways

• North America led the market with the largest share in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is observed to experience the fastest rate of growth during the forecast period.
• By product, RNA interference [RNAi] and short interfering RNAs [siRNAs] segment led the market in 2023.
• By product, the antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and DNA aptamers segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
• By application, the monogenetic disorders segment dominated the nucleic acid therapeutics market in 2023.
• By application, multi-genetic disorders segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
• By end-user, the hospitals and clinics segment dominated the market.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Overview

The nucleic acid therapeutics market is a rapidly growing industry under genetic engineering. These therapeutics are based on nucleic acids responsible for carrying information inside the cells. There are three different forms of nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and synthetic nucleic acids, which are required for therapies for the treatment of various diseases. The rise in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, the development of DNA therapies, the creation of biological goods, and other factors contribute significantly to the growth of the market.

This industry is highly fragmented and is dominated by several market players, including Genzyme, Sanofi, Piezo Therapeutics, Transcode Therapeutics, NOVARTIS AG., Aldevron, Switch Therapeutics, and others. These market players are continuously engaged in research and development to manufacture novel products and adopt strategies such as joint ventures, partnerships, expansions, and product launches to maintain their dominance in the industry.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Growth Factors

• The integration of AI in biotechnology drives the market growth.
• The increasing investment of companies in developing nucleic acid therapeutics boosts the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.
• The upsurge in demand for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) also drives the growth of the market.
• The rising advancements in gene cloning techniques have also boosted the market growth.
• The growing advancements in medical sciences and biotechnology also foster market growth.
• The rise in demand for nucleic acid therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases accelerates the market growth.
• The growing application of nucleic acid therapeutics for treating patients suffering from chronic diseases also propels the market growth.
• A rise in the number of clinical trials for the development of RNA-based drugs and vaccines further positively impacts the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Scope

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Dynamics

Driver: The growing number of chronic and genetic diseases

There is a rapid increase in the number of chronic diseases such as Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and others. The prevalence of cancer has increased globally in recent times. The main types of cancer include carcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, and leukemia. According to WHO, the number of new cancer patients reached 20 million, along with 9.7 million cancer-related deaths in 2022. RNAi-mediated therapeutic approaches are found to be effective in controlling the growth of cancerous cells. The growth rate of cardiac patients has also increased rapidly around the globe. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies are effective for treating cardiac patients.

Thus, the oncologic and cardiac cases require early treatment to get cured, which in turn increases the demand for nucleic acid therapeutics, thereby driving the market growth. Moreover, people around the world are also suffering from genetic diseases such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), fragile X syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple-X syndrome, Turner syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, and some others. These diseases are found to be cured using RNA therapy, which in turn boosts the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Restraint: Degradation of RNA by nucleases and technical problems related to synthesis

The biotechnology sector has experienced rapid advancements due to developments in genetic engineering and other related fields. The concept of nucleic acid therapeutics is an important part of genetic engineering. Although numerous developments have been made in nucleic acid therapeutics, there are certain problems that negatively affect productivity. RNA hybrids can be degraded through nucleases by exonuclease III, and RNA synthesis is stopped by mutations. This, in turn, restrains the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Opportunity: Growing developments in CRISPR technology and mRNA therapeutics

The research and developments associated with genetic engineering have increased rapidly due to several benefits associated with it. The concepts of base editing and prime editing are the recent developments in CRISPR technology that play an important role in the production of RNA-based medicines. Also, there are several developments that are taking place in the area of mRNA therapeutics, including mRNA entrapment, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and some others that are significant for the manufacturing of nucleic acid-based therapies. Thus, the rising developments related to CRISPR technology and mRNA therapeutics are expected to create growth opportunities for the market players in the future.

Product Insights

The RNA interference [RNAi] and short interfering RNAs [siRNAs] segment dominated the nucleic acid therapeutics market in 2023. The growth of this segment is generally driven by the growing advancements in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Also, the rise in the number of viral diseases such as fever and influenza among people increases the demand for short-interfering RNAs [siRNAs] due to their ability to fight viruses. Moreover, short-interfering RNAs [siRNAs] are proven to be effective for treating patients suffering from AIDS and Hepatitis B. Thus, the growth of this segment can be attributed to the overall growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

The antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and DNA aptamers segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is mainly driven by the rising cases of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other infectious diseases. Also, aptamers-based therapeutics are more efficient than traditional drugs, increasing the demand for DNA aptamers. Also, anti-sense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies are effective for treating nerve patients. Some companies developing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies and DNA aptamers therapies include Syngene, Integrated DNA technologies, Creative Biogene, and others. Thus, the growth of this segment is significant for the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Application Insights

The monogenetic disorders segment held the largest nucleic acid therapeutics market share in 2023. This segment is driven by the rising number of patients suffering from Cystic fibrosis, Phenylketonuria (PKU), and some others. Also, mRNA therapies are found to be highly effective for treating monogenetic disorders that are caused by the alternation of single genes. Thus, rising applications of RNA therapeutics in the treatment of monogenetic diseases are likely to drive the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market. Moreover, biotech companies such as Neubase Therapeutics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and some others started to launch therapies based on nucleic acids to treat monogenetic disorders.

• For instance, in October 2022, Neubase Therapeutics signed a research agreement with the top 10 global healthcare companies. NeuBase’s PATrOL platform will be used for this research. This platform uses PNA-based technology to identify diseases early and help patients suffering from monogenetic disorders.

The multi-genetic disorders segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is generally driven by the growing number of patients suffering from arthritis and Schizophrenia across the world. Moreover, genetic companies such as CRISPR Therapeutics, Deep Genomics, and some others started developing nucleic acid-based therapies to treat multi-genetic disorders.

• For instance, in February 2022, CRISPR Therapeutics partnered with ViaCyte, Inc.. This partnership aimed at developing novel cell replacement therapies for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

End User Insights

The hospitals & clinics segment held the largest nucleic acid therapeutics market share in 2023 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. There is a growth in the number of patients suffering from serious diseases such as cancer, AIDS and others who tend to visit hospitals during emergencies. Also, the local clinics are visited by people who are suffering from common diseases such as cough, diabetes, high blood pressure, and others. The doctors have started suggesting genetic therapies to the patients to get cured quickly. Thus, hospitals and clinics play an important role in the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics industry.

The academic & research institutes segment is also growing significantly in the market. The growth of this segment is generally driven by the rising emphasis on students learning genetic engineering. Nowadays, several research institutes for genetic engineering are being set up in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Israel, India, and some others to develop this sector. Some of the famous genetic engineering institutes include Harvard Medical School, Tel Aviv University, University of Toronto, SRM University Chennai, and others. Thus, the rise in the number of academic & research institutes is driving the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market in 2023. The growth of this region is mainly driven by the growing government initiatives related to genetic sciences along with research and developments associated with genetic engineering. Also, there is high healthcare expenditure and the presence of pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson and Johnson. Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co. Inc., and others also drive the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market. Moreover, the presence of biopharmaceutical companies such as Sarepta Therapeutics, Protagonist Therapeutics, and some others are engaged in developing nucleic acid therapeutics, which in turn drives the growth of the market.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. The growth of this region is mainly driven by the rising incidences of chronic and genetic diseases. According to a study by Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration (APCSC), there is an estimated increase of 60% in CVD patients in Asian countries. It is also estimated that the total number of hypertension patients in India and China is likely to increase to more than 500 million by the year 2025. RNA-based therapeutics are effective for treating heart patients, which increases the demand for nucleic acid therapeutics, thereby driving the market growth in this region. Also, factors such as increasing investments from the government to develop the biopharmaceutical sector and low manufacturing costs have further driven the market's growth. Moreover, the presence of biopharmaceutical companies such as Albatroz Therapeutics, Immuneel Therapeutics, BioRay Pharmaceuticals, and some others have adopted several strategies such as partnerships, launches, and expansions that drive the growth of the nucleic acid therapeutics market.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Aldevron partnered with Acuitas Therapeutics. This partnership aimed to expand Aldevron’s mRNA LNP encapsulation by integrating Acuitas’ proprietary LNP encapsulation platform.
• In March 2024, Switch Therapeutics announced an investment of 52 million USD for developing Targeted siRNA Therapies. Through this announcement, the company aimed to use nanotechnology and RNA interference technology to target specific cells in the body.
• In March 2024, Exothera launched Ntensify Platform. This platform is launched for scaling up the business along with manufacturing superior quality and affordable RNA therapeutics for people.
• In January 2024, TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. collaborated with Debiopharm. This collaboration aimed at using Debiopharm’s drug delivery technologies along with TransCode’s proprietary TTX delivery platform to develop nucleic acid therapeutics to treat cancers and other infectious diseases.
• In August 2023, Impilo Therapeutics launched nucleic acid-based medicine for treating solid tumor cancers. This medicine works according to TPN Platform technology to help cancer patients.
• In July 2023, Eleven Therapeutics collaborated with Novo Nordisk. This collaboration aimed to identify novel molecules for precise delivery of nucleic acid by integrating Eleven's innovative DELiveri platform.
• In January 2023, Agilent Technologies announced an investment of 725 million USD for developing nucleic acid-based therapeutics. This investment aimed at doubling the company’s production capacity of nucleic acid therapeutics for treating a wide range of diseases.
• In January 2023, Piezo Therapeutics announced an investment of 2 million USD to develop a platform for the delivery of nucleic acid medicines. Through this investment, the company aims to develop an affordable, simple, and scalable platform for the efficient delivery of nucleic acid medicines that includes therapeutic proteins, RNA/DNA vaccines, and some dermal gene therapies.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Market Companies

• Genzyme
• Sanofi
• Piezo Therapeutics
• Transcode Therapeutics
• NOVARTIS AG.
• Aldevron
• Switch Therapeutics
• Sarpeta Therapeutics
• Qaigen NV
• Impilo Therapeutics
• Protagonist Therapeutics
• Copernicus
• Benitec Biopharma
• Silence Therapeutics
• Arbutus Biopharma
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Merck KGaA
• Agilent Technologies

Segments Covered in the Report

By Products

• Anti-sense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) and DNA Aptamers
• RNA Interference [RNAi] and Short Interfering RNAs [siRNAs]
• Others

By Application 

• Monogenetic Disorders
• Multi-Genetic Disorders

By End User

• Hospitals and Clinics
• Academic and Research Institutes

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa