MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs are increasingly used as disease biomarkers. Detection of microRNAs can be arduous and expensive and often requires processes like amplification, labeling, and radioactive probes. miRNA detection is challenging due to low abundance, small size, and sequence similarities. Traditional methods for detection of miRNAs include Northern blotting, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), next generation sequencing, and micro-array based hybridization. miRNAs comprises about 0.01% of total RNA and individual miRNA level ranges from a few copies to tens of thousands of copies per cell. 

Big calls for “miRNA in breast cancer treatment”

As per the report revealed by the Journal of Young Investigators, miRNA can be used as biomarkers for treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer patients often have aberrant miRNA expression and, as a consequence, the use of miRNA as diagnostic biomarkers is the focus of the current research in the field. For instance, researchers at Zhejiang University studied whether miRNA-55, a miRNA highly abundant in treatment of breast cancer in patients acts as a potential tool for breast cancer diagnosis. Their results suggest that miRNA-55 possess the specialty to accurately identify breast cancer as compared to non-breast cancer patients. Further, the role of miRNA in promoting breast cancer has gained huge prominence in miRNA based cancer treatment. Currently, researchers are using drugs to block miRNA that causes cancer or express miRNA responsible for causing cancerous cells to die. For instance, researchers at Medical College of Southeast University found that targeting miRNA in a mouse model inhibited tumor growth and metastasis. Similarly, targeting miRNA may prevent breast cancer patients from relapsing into breast or brain cancer.

Market Dynamics

miRNA had positive influence witnessing growth amid COVID-19 pandemic

According to the report published by the biorxiv, miRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that have been found in more than 200 diverse organisms. Further, if RNA viruses could generate miRNAs that would target their own genes or alter the host gene expression, there are many examples present where miRNA functions or acts as antiviral defense mechanisms. In cases, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), there are several mechanism that would make miRNAs impact the virus, by interfering with replication, translation, and even modulating the host expression. In a study performed by the biorxiv, revealed that the "PANTHER gene" function analysis resulted in indication of viral derived miRNA candidates could target various human genes involved in crucial cellular processes including transcription. For example, a transcriptional regulator namely, "STAT1" can be used to target the virus. Additionally, many known miRNAs appear to be able to target viral genes. Considering this fact, that miRNA-based therapies appear to be successful by mode of action coupled with possible role during SARS-CoV-2 infections could create lucrative opportunities for the development and improvement of new therapeutics.

miRNA technique used in detection  of chronic diseases will drive the overall market

Currently, miRNAs were detected in serum and plasma of humans and animals, opening the possibility of using miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers of various diseases. The levels of miRNAs in serum are stable, reproducible, and consistent among individuals of the same species. Although initial reports focused on using miRNAs as plasma markers for different forms of cancer, in 2009, Ji et al showed that plasma biomarkers can also detect cardiac injury. Plasma concentrations of miR-208 increased significantly after “isoproterenol-induced” myocardial injury in rats and showed a similar time course to the concentration of cardiac “troponin I”, a classic biomarker of myocardial injury. Since then, several reports pinpoint that there are correlated miRNAs in plasma for detection of myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Segmental Overview

MicroRNA market is segmented as product, services, application, and end-user. By product, the market is bifurcated into instruments and consumables. By services, the market is segmented as sample collection, miRNA cDNA synthesis, miRNA profiling & purification, next generation sequencing (NGS), microarray, real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and others. By application, the market is segregated as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, immunological disorders, infectious diseases and others. Furthermore, end-user is segmented as biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies, academic & government research institutes and others.

Based on service, PCR (qRT-PCR)is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment in the forthcoming years. As qRT-PCR possess the ability to detect circulating RNAs, in particulate microRNAs further increase the potential as biomarkers for a range of condition drives the segmental growth. Additionally, qRT-PCR detection system enables accurate and real-time PCR quantification for miRNA. The kit possesses high-specificity reagent system that delivers sensitive and reproducible results. These are the factors that bolster the growth of global microRNA market. By application, cancer segment is predicted to hold dominating market share for the growth of global microRNA market. This is attributed to several microRNA target sites that are clustered in cancer-associated genomic regions. This is one of the prominent factors that drive the growth of global microRNA market. By end-user, academic and government research institutes segment is expected to dominate the global microRNA market. Supportive government initiatives that facilitates the research in genomics by academic and research institutes is primarily attributed to the growth of the segment ultimately contributing the growth of global microRNA market.

Regional Overview

North America market holds dominating share for the microRNA market from the past and is predicted to continue similar trend till the forecast period. Rising number of clinical trials to develop novel therapeutics and diagnostics, specifically in the US is a key factor responsible for the growth of global microRNA market. Additionally, surge in number of extended product launches worldwide further supports the growth of global microRNA market. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is likely to expand at significant rate by recording stimulating CAGR in the forecast period for the global microRNA market. Ever growing patient pool, rising miRNA therapeutic adoption, and surge in medical tourism specifically in countries such as China, Singapore, and India are the promient factors that highly support the growth of global microRNA market.

Competitive Landscape

The prominent players involved in global microRNA market are The Merck Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Horizon Discovery Group plc, Synlogic, QIAGEN, GeneCopoeia, Inc., New England Biolabs, Quantabio, NanoString Technologies, Inc., BioGenex, SeqMatic LLC., Miltenyi Biotec, and among others

Market Segmentation

Market By Product
Instruments
Consumables

Market By Services
Sample Collection
Mirna cDNA Synthesis
Mirna Profiling & Purification
Next Generation Sequencing (Ngs)
Microarray
Real Time Pcr (Qrt-Pcr)
Others

Market By Application
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cancer
Neurological Diseases
Immunological Disorders
Infectious Diseases
Others

Market By End-User
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies
Academic & Government Research Institutes Others

Market By Geography

North America
•    U.S.
•    Canada

Europe
•    U.K.
•    Germany
•    France
•    Spain
•    Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific
•    China
•    Japan
•    India
•    Australia
•    South Korea
•    Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America
•    Brazil 
•    Mexico
•    Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa
•    GCC
•    South Africa
•    Rest of Middle East & Africa