Status of the Microfluidics Industry 2023

Seizing the Moment: Strategic Microfluidics Placement in an IVD Market Slowdown context

After two years of exceptional growth, the microfluidics module market is expected to reach $20.6B in 2028 from $18.08B in 2022, with a CAGR22-28 of 2.2%, driven by diagnostic test demand and SARS-Cov2 sequencing for vaccine development during the pandemic. ​In terms of shipments, 858Munits (components or modules) are expected to be sold in 2028 from 766Munits in 2022, with a CAGR22-28 of 1.9%

The COVID-19 pandemic expedited the availability of precise, quick, and affordable testing methods for infectious diseases. Throughout the pandemic, there was an increase in demand for tests, particularly PCR and immunoassays, which are considered the gold standards. As a result, revenue in the microfluidic industry rose significantly, leading to the development of new technologies and panels and an expansion in instrument and production capacity. These trends persisted into early 2022; however, during the last two quarters of that year, the diagnostic industry experienced a substantial slowdown. This can be attributed to the stabilization of the situation due to the widespread administration of vaccines and the implementation of preventative measures such as quarantine and mask-wearing.

But this slowdown doesn’t mean that interest in microfluidics has been lost among players in diagnostics applications. Indeed, the boost provided by the COVID-19 pandemic has solidified microfluidics' position as a shaping tool for diagnostic applications. This strengthened interest from key players in the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market and the role of microfluidics through the installation of a huge number of instruments.

The success of PoC solutions has resulted in their widespread and dependable usage across various healthcare facilities. Players in the industry are forging the path ahead, building upon the instruments installed during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Pharmaceutical and Life Science Research applications are primarily propelled by critical factors such as new drug discovery and screening, sepsis diagnostics, next-generation sequencing encompassing genomics and proteomics, as well as cell analysis. Clinical Diagnostics applications are driven by the huge demand for PCR tests to detect several diseases. PoN solutions gained widespread adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and are anticipated to be beneficial for detecting other diseases. Additionally, NGS solutions started being adopted a few years ago, particularly for rare diseases and early cancer detection, among others.

Shaping the Future: Opportunities and Challenges for Microfluidics Players in a Post-COVID Era

Almost 91% of the microfluidic market (in value) is held by ten players. This market is led by big diagnostics companies specializing in various biological tests, such as molecular, chemistry & electrolytes, and cytometry/hematology.

In the market rankings since 2019, Illumina has maintained its leading position. However, in 2022, Cepheid outperformed, surpassing Illumina. This growth can be attributed to the high number of Cepheid instruments installed and its strong presence in the diagnostics market, especially in respiratory testing.

BioMérieux, Abbott, Roche Diagnostics, Becton Dickinson, 10X genomics, Siemens Healthineers, and Agilent technologies had broadly the same flat growth in microfluidic modules revenue, all developing their own modules to be used in instruments already developed (e.g., BioMérieux - BioFire) or by acquiring technology from another company ( e.g., Roche- GenMark Dx).

Funds grants by national organizations such as BARDA experienced a significant decline in 2022, reflecting the transition of the COVID-19 situation from a pandemic to an endemic state. However, companies specializing in NGS, cell analysis, and diagnostics applications raised substantial amounts of funds. MGI emerged as the year’s top fundraiser, raising an impressive $522 million.

One significant M&A was observed between Quidel and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics – a large in vitro diagnostics company. The combined organization will expand access to clinical chemistry, immunoassay, molecular diagnostics, immunohematology, donor screening, and point-of-care diagnostics offerings.

The market is still very open and structured around big players. The pandemic enabled big players to accumulate vast amounts of cash flow and should profit from mergers with and acquisitions of new companies. These companies face a critical decision: should they expand their assay menus and fundamentally transform their approach to healthcare management, or should they consider the option of being acquired by a larger player? Many companies have already started restructuring strategies and refocusing on expanding their portfolios.

Microfluidics has an expansive potential in diagnostics applications and beyond

Polymers remain the primary material for manufacturing single-use microfluidic devices. Equivalent performance to clinical laboratories, time to results, ease of use, and cost-effective solutions were developed in the past years to improve and accelerate the adoption of systems based on microfluidic technology.

Technologically advancements were made for increasing the integration level in microfluidic modules to integrate more functions, improving throughput by building modular and expandable systems, multiplexing diagnostics allows an increase in the number and diversity of tests, and enhancing data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI)

Microfluidics fabs offer new services to address the complexity of manufacturing more sophisticated devices. In recent years, new platforms were built to offer an end-to-end service, from prototype to high-scale manufacturing. Vendors now have a wide range of possibilities. They can start rapid prototyping by CNC machining or 3D printing with fabs only focusing on this segment and then produce internally with their own facilities or through partnerships. On the other hand, fabs equipped with high-volume manufacturing capabilities can support customers throughout the entire process, from prototyping and pilot lines to large-scale production (reaching up to 5 million units per production line) via a single-entry point.

As we look ahead to the future of microfluidics, several exciting developments and pathways can be foreseen. The future of microfluidics holds promising developments in high integration, particularly for new detection methods. Instrument-free cartridges that incorporate detection capabilities within the cartridge itself hold great promise. The convergence of photonic detection with microfluidics is anticipated to lower the detection threshold for tests like immunoassays. Silicon-based microfluidic modules leveraging optical, electric, or acoustic techniques will enhance the performance of diagnostic tests. In the realm of sample preparation, digital microfluidics is gaining widespread use for tasks such as sample preparation prior to sequencing, cell sorting, and diagnostics. Furthermore, the future may witness the emergence of novel applications utilizing microfluidic technology, such as electronic cooling, liquid lenses, haptics for augmented/virtual reality, smart wearables, and even DNA data storage.

3M, 5-HT (LTS Lohmann), 10X Genomics, Abbott, Accelix (LeukoDx), Achira Labs, AGC, Agilent Technologies, AgPlus Diagnostics, Akonni Biosystems, ALiA Biotech, Aline inc, Alveo – be.well, Ande Corporation, Antelope Dx, Arrayit Corporation, Ativa Medical, Atomica (IMT MEMS), AxBio, Axxicon, Baebies, Bartels Mikrotechnik, BD (Becton Dickinson), Berkeley Lights, BforCure, BGI, Bi.Flow Systems, Binx Health, Biocartis, Biomensio, bioMérieux, Bionano Genomics, Bioneer Bio-Rad, BioSurfit, Bluesense Diagnostics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bosh Vivalytic, CapitalBiotech Corporation, Capsum, Carville, CellFE, CDA, Charles River, ClexBio, CN Bio, Cubed Laboratories, Cue Health, Cytovale, Daktari Diagnostics, Danaher (Cepheid, HemoCue, Pall corporation, Beckman Coulter), Deepcell, Dermagnostix, DiaSorin Molecular, DNA electronics (DNAe), DNA Nudge, Dolomite Microfluidics, Element Biosciences, Elveflow (Elvesys), Emulate Bio, ENPLAS, Epicore Biosystems, Epigem, Evonetix, EVG (EV Group), Fast Radius, FEMTOprint, Finnadvance, Fluigent, FluimediX, Fluxergy, Genalyte, Gener8, GenSpeed Biotech, Helvoet, Hesperos, Hicomp, Hochuen Medical, Hologic (Mobidiag), IDEX Health & Science, iLine Microsystems, Illumina, imec, iMiGiNE, IMTAG, Inflammatix, Integra (Microculus), Inventics Dx, InziGn, Isoplexis, Klearia, Kloé, Kypha (Biosensa), LexaGene, LightDeck (Mbio Diagnostics), LioniX, L’Oréal, lumiraDx, LuminUltra, Lunaphore Technologies, Medimate (CE-Mate), MedSpray, Mekonos, MeMed, Menarini Silicon Biosystems, Mesa labs (Gyros protein), MGI (BGI), Micralyne (Teledyne Dalsa), Microfluidic ChipShop, Micron Biomedical, Micronit, MicrofluidiX, microTEC, miDiagnostics, Miltenyi Biotec, Mimetas, Mission Bio, MiTAS Chip, Molbio Diagnostics, MZP tech, Nabsys, NanoCellect, NanoEntek, Nanomix, NanoPass, NanoScribe, NanoString Technologies, Netri, Nicoya, Nortis, Nutcracker, Nypro (Jabil), Olink, Ondavia, Opgen Group (Curetis), OPKO Diagnostics, Optolane Technologies, Osler Diagnostics, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Pacific Biosciences (+Omniome), Palamedrix, Paragraf (Cardea), Pattern Bioscience, Perkinelmer (Caliper Life Sciences), Philips Engineering Solutions, Plan optik group (Little Things Factory), Plastic Design Corporation, Potomac, Precision Nanosystems, Qiagen, Qorvo Biotechnologies, Quanterix, QuantuMDx, Quantum-Si, QuidelOrtho, Qurin Diagnostics, Qvella Corporation, Rab-Microfluidics, Radisens Diagnostics, Randox Laboratories, Rapid Fluidics, RedShift Bio, Rheonix, Roche (Genmark Diagnostics), Rogue Valley Microdevices, Roswell Biotechnologies, rqmicro, Sandstone Diagnostics, Sartorius, Schott (MiniFAB), Schlumberger, SD Biosensor (Meridian Biosciences), Sekisui (Veredus laboratories), SensoDx, Sherlock Biosciences (Sense bio), Siemens Healthineers, Sight Diagnostics, Silex Microsystems, Singular genomics, SiPhox, SkyWater Technology Foundry, Smiths Detection (Pathsensors), SpinChip Diagnostics, SpinDiag, Standard BioTools (Fluidigm), Stilla Technologies, STMicroelectronics, Stratec Consumables (Natech Plastics), Surfix Diagnostics, SynVivo, Syrris, Sysmex, T2 Biosystems, Takara bio, Talis Biomedical, Tangen Biosciences, TearLab, Tecnisco, TE Connectivity (microLIQUID, Wi, Toolbox Medical Innovations), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thinkcyte, TissUse, Translume, Trilobite, TDK Tronics, Truvian Sciences, TSMC, uFluidix, Vantiva (Technicolor), Vaxxas, Vela Diagnostics (Great basin scientific), Visby medical (Click diagnostics), Volta labs, Vortex Biosciences, VyCAP, WeareCellix, Weidmann Plastics, Wenhao Chip, Werfen (Accriva Diagnostics), Xfab, Xona Microfluidics, z-microsystems, Zoetis, Zomedica Pharmaceuticals, and more.

Key Features

• Market segmentation, data, and forecasts for 2022 - 2028, by components and modules, in units and dollars, including materials ratio.
• A detailed explanation of current and future market trends, covering several applications of microfluidic technologies.
• Market share at the module and fab level, with comparison to the last two years, explaining the dynamics.
• Fundraising and M&A analysis to help understand the ecosystem’s dynamics.
• Description of the supply chain involving various players as a function of the materials used.
• Materials, manufacturing, and other technology trends, along with roadmaps

What’s new? 

• Focus on market trends related to diagnostics applications, cell analysis, and potential future microfluidics applications.
• Slides focused on specific players’ activities are implemented all along the report.

Product objectives

This Yole Intelligence report is an updated version of the 2022 report providing a complete analysis of microfluidic component/module applications, markets, and technologies.

his new version provides:

• New significant trends and evolution in the microfluidic industry markets, applications, and business models
• Presentation of the hot spots where things are moving, along with future high-potential applications
• Analysis of strategic moves since 2021: mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, etc.
• Understanding of the competitive environment with an overview of key players, the evolution of microfluidic vendors’ market shares per segment, and fabs’ market shares
• Updated market data and forecast up to 2028, in value and volume for microfluidic components and modules, with insights on the materials market (polymer, glass wafers, silicon wafers)
• Supply chain description and analysis
• Latest technology trends (materials, manufacturing, biology, detection methods, etc.)

This report thoroughly summarizes the 2022 microfluidics market, considering the trends for each application. The report was finalized in early July 2023, so the data is the latest available.

• Glossary
• Table of contents
• Report objectives
• Scope of the report
• Methodologies & definition
• About the author
• Companies cited
• What we got right, what we got wrong
• Who should be interested in this report
• 3-page summary
• Executive summary
• Context
• Market data and forecasts
  • Market segmentation
  • Market data and forecasts – Conclusions 
• Market trends
  • Trends in diagnostics
  • Microfluidics for cell analysis
  • Other potential applications
  • Market trends - Conclusions
• Market shares & supply chain
  • Market shares – Vendors
  • Market shares - Fabs
  • Fundraisings and M&As
  • Supply chain
    • Manufacturing trends
    • Supply chain overview
• Technology trends
  • Materials
  • Manufacturing
    • Polymer manufacturing
    • Silicon / Glass manufacturing
    • Backend processes
  • Materials & manufacturing conclusion and trends
  • Detection and application technologies
• Conclusion & Outlook
• Yole Group related products
• How to use our data?
• About Yole group