Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Share Analysis Report, 2024-2033
The global oligonucleotide synthesis market size was exhibited at USD 3.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 13.14 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.27% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033.
The oligonucleotide synthesis market is a vibrant, technologically intensive space that sits at the intersection of genomics, biotechnology, and precision medicine. Oligonucleotides short sequences of nucleotides made up of DNA or RNA serve as essential tools in various molecular biology applications. These include PCR, gene editing, antisense therapies, sequencing, microarrays, and diagnostic assays. The ability to create these sequences synthetically has revolutionized how researchers and clinicians approach gene-targeted studies and therapies.
The growing adoption of synthetic biology, increasing research in genomics and transcriptomics, and the surge in applications for molecular diagnostics are significant forces propelling this market. Furthermore, with expanding interest in mRNA therapeutics, CRISPR gene editing, and antisense oligonucleotide therapies, demand for specialized, custom, and high-throughput oligonucleotide synthesis services is gaining momentum across sectors.
Unlike traditional pharmaceutical production lines, oligonucleotide synthesis involves a combination of solid-phase chemistry, complex purification techniques, and specialized reagents. Companies involved in this space provide a wide array of solutions, including automated synthesizers, reagents, custom DNA and RNA oligo services, and purification and modification capabilities.
As synthetic nucleic acids increasingly become the backbone of innovations in disease detection and treatment, the market continues to transform evolving not just in scale, but also in sophistication and specificity.
Transition from Bulk Synthesis to Customization
The market is witnessing a strong shift from standard oligonucleotide synthesis toward customized services, where clients request specific modifications, labels, or lengths tailored to their research needs.
Widening Use of Oligonucleotides in Therapeutics
With rising interest in RNA-based therapies and antisense drugs, pharmaceutical companies are exploring oligonucleotides not only as research tools but as active therapeutic agents.
Integration with CRISPR and Gene Editing Technologies
Single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) required for CRISPR systems are synthesized oligonucleotides. As CRISPR gains momentum in both academic and clinical settings, demand for precise, high-fidelity RNA oligos is rising.
Automation and Miniaturization in Synthesizers
Equipment manufacturers are increasingly developing compact, bench-top oligonucleotide synthesizers with higher throughput and reduced reagent consumption, promoting in-house synthesis in labs and institutions.
Advancements in Purification and Labeling
Enhanced purification techniques, such as HPLC and cartridge-based systems, along with a growing repertoire of fluorescent and chemical labels, are expanding the utility of synthesized oligos in complex applications.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 4.28 Billion |
| Market Size by 2033 | USD 13.14 Billion |
| Growth Rate From 2024 to 2033 | CAGR of 13.27% |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024-2033 |
| Segments Covered | Product & service, application, region |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Regional Scope | North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central and South America; the Middle East and Africa |
| Key Companies Profiled | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Merck KGaA; Danaher Corporation; Dharmacon Inc.; Agilent Technologies; Bio-synthesis; Kaneka Eurogentec S.A; LGC Biosearch Technologies; Biolegio; Twist Bioscience |
One of the most significant forces propelling the oligonucleotide synthesis market is the rising demand for genomic and molecular diagnostics. These diagnostic methods depend heavily on precise and high-purity oligonucleotides for applications like PCR, qPCR, FISH, and sequencing.
As diseases become increasingly stratified at the molecular level, clinicians and researchers rely on molecular assays to identify genetic mutations, monitor gene expression, and determine therapeutic strategies. This has spurred demand for accurate, high-quality oligonucleotides that are tailored to specific sequences whether for amplification, detection, or hybridization.
Moreover, the post-pandemic healthcare environment has placed renewed focus on molecular diagnostic infrastructure. As hospitals and diagnostic laboratories modernize their equipment and workflows, the requirement for reliable, reproducible oligonucleotide-based reagents is intensifying.
While oligonucleotide synthesis is well-established for shorter sequences, the synthesis of long oligonucleotides particularly those exceeding 100 nucleotides presents technical hurdles. Longer sequences tend to accumulate synthesis errors, exhibit lower yields, and require more rigorous purification.
These challenges become particularly pronounced when dealing with therapeutic oligonucleotides or those meant for high-fidelity applications like gene editing or long-read sequencing. Maintaining batch-to-batch consistency, optimizing coupling efficiency, and minimizing truncation products are critical but complex tasks.
Additionally, these technical demands translate into higher production costs, longer turnaround times, and the need for skilled personnel all of which can act as a bottleneck, especially for smaller research groups or early-stage biotech startups.
A major untapped opportunity in the oligonucleotide synthesis market lies in the growing academic and clinical research infrastructure in emerging economies. Countries across Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are increasingly investing in biotechnology, bioinformatics, and molecular research.
As universities establish genomic research centers and hospitals integrate precision diagnostics, there's a rising need for localized access to oligonucleotide synthesis services and equipment. This creates a fertile ground for market players to offer affordable, scalable synthesis solutions.
Strategic moves like setting up local production hubs, offering language-localized custom portals, and partnering with local institutions for training and education can help companies tap into these markets early and establish long-term presence.
Services dominate the product and service segment due to their versatility and high utility across different end-users. Custom synthesis of DNA and RNA oligos tailored to specific lengths, sequences, or modifications is indispensable for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Academic researchers often request fluorescent tags, biotin labels, or phosphorothioate bonds to meet their study requirements. Similarly, pharmaceutical firms demand large-scale, purified oligos with GMP compliance.
Beyond synthesis, modification and purification services play a crucial role in elevating the quality of oligonucleotides. Whether it’s HPLC-purified oligos for CRISPR editing or 5’ capped RNA for vaccine development, service providers offering post-synthesis customization see substantial demand from high-value clients.
Although services lead in market share, the fastest-growing segment lies in reagents and synthesis equipment. With the democratization of biotechnology, even small labs are investing in benchtop oligonucleotide synthesizers. These devices enable researchers to carry out rapid prototyping or emergency synthesis without outsourcing.
This growth is complemented by increasing sales of coupling reagents, solid supports, and labeling chemicals. As newer chemistries emerge such as click chemistry or enzymatic synthesis research labs are investing in advanced reagent kits that improve synthesis fidelity and efficiency.
PCR primers form the backbone of molecular biology labs worldwide, and their widespread application across academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical domains makes them the dominant application segment. Whether used for diagnostic kits, forensic identification, or mutation screening, PCR primers are irreplaceable.
Their high-volume and recurring demand gives this segment a significant edge in terms of revenue. Furthermore, the simplicity and affordability of standard primer synthesis ensure sustained, long-term usage.
As therapeutic research pushes boundaries, CRISPR guide RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides are emerging as fast-growing applications. These molecules are crucial for modulating gene expression or correcting defective genes, and their synthesis requires a high degree of sequence fidelity and chemical modification.
Innovations in gene editing and nucleic acid-based therapeutics, especially for conditions like muscular dystrophy and rare cancers, are placing RNA oligos in the spotlight. As more preclinical trials adopt these approaches, demand for therapeutic-grade oligonucleotides is projected to surge.
North America continues to lead the oligonucleotide synthesis market due to its extensive R&D landscape, academic excellence, and robust biotech ecosystem. With the presence of key players in the U.S. and a mature market for molecular diagnostics and therapeutic development, North America benefits from established infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strong government support.
Clinical trials involving RNA therapeutics, personalized oncology research, and the rise of gene editing platforms like CRISPR have all strengthened the region’s demand for high-quality oligos. Additionally, the presence of FDA and NIH-facilitated programs drives compliance-led innovation in this space.
The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a growth spurt in oligonucleotide synthesis demand, thanks to increasing biotechnology investments and expanding healthcare infrastructure. Governments in countries like China, India, and South Korea are encouraging life sciences R&D through funding and tax incentives.
Academic collaborations, the growth of local contract research organizations (CROs), and heightened interest in genetic testing are transforming this region into a hotspot for oligo consumption. Moreover, cost-sensitive markets are motivating companies to establish production facilities in Asia, optimizing their supply chains and enhancing market penetration.
Startup Incubation of Synthetic RNA Platform (January 2025)
A biotech startup in Europe unveiled an AI-powered oligonucleotide synthesis platform tailored for mRNA drug development. This platform enables rapid prototyping of modified RNA oligos and has already secured research agreements with two major pharma companies.
University Collaboration for Long Oligo Innovation (March 2025)
A leading Asian university entered a partnership with a reagent company to co-develop a new enzymatic synthesis platform aimed at producing error-free long oligonucleotides. The project is expected to yield a commercial prototype by late 2026.
Launch of Modular Synthesizer for Academic Labs (February 2025)
A global life sciences instrument company released a compact synthesizer targeted at academic users. With a user-friendly interface and cartridge-based reagent system, the device aims to reduce synthesis complexity for early-career researchers.
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global oligonucleotide synthesis market.
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Cross-segment Market Size and Analysis for Mentioned Segments
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Region Specific Market DynamicsRegion Level Market Share Import Export AnalysisProduction AnalysisOthers