The rat model market size is estimated to be USD 1,253.2 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.98% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Increase in demand for medication, rising medicine consumption and the subsequent growth in drug testing are factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, surge in pharmaceutical research and development activities and people and rats have similar physiologies is projected to support the market growth. However, stringent rules and regulations and increasing opposition on rat testing by various organisations are expected to hinder the growth.

Surge in pharmaceutical research and development activities is predicted to spur the market growth. One of the key value drivers for research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies is the development of novel pharmaceuticals that fulfil unmet therapeutic needs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the pharmaceutical industry spent USD 83 billion on R&D initiatives in 2019. These expenses cover a broad range of activity, including the development of incremental enhancements and product extensions and testing for safety criteria or regulatory requirements.

People and rats have similar physiologies is expected to fuel the market growth. Rat diseases resemble human diseases due to some pathological similarities between rat models and human disease situations. Under specific circumstances, the recurrence and progress of rat diseases are the same as those in humans. Researchers have studied a wide range of mechanisms and evaluated potential therapeutics in these research models due to the remarkable anatomical and physiological similarities between rats and humans.

Segmentation

By Type

The market is categorized into outbred, knockout, hybrid, immunodeficient, inbred, conditioned. In the global market, the outbred segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to the fact that the outbred rats are used extensively in preclinical research as they more precisely reflect the genetic diversity of humans. These outbred rats are well fitted to simulate the genetic variants that ultimately lead to diseases as they are phenotypically stable to some extent and less vulnerable to environmental fluctuations. Major participants including Charles River Laboratories International Inc. have set up genetic management plans for their rodent models in accordance with the International Genetic Standardization (IGS) initiative. This programme guarantees that all rat models created worldwide have the same genetic make-up.

By Technology

The market is categorized into microinjection, nuclear transferase, embryonic stem cell, and others. In 2022, the others segment accounted for the highest revenue share. Other technologies comprise, among many others, CRISPR/CAS, ZFN, TALEN, and RNAi. The expansion of the segment is being fueled by advances in synthetic biology and an increase in the use of the technologies. The production of rat models is facilitated effectively and rapidly for research advances due to the ease of genetic manipulation made possible by these molecular technologies. Furthermore, it’s expected that during the projected period, advanced genome editing technologies would have the quickest growth. The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry’s inclusion of CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionised biomedical research. For instance, the CRISPR-Cas9 technique has been used to create a number of knockout rat models for DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) research, according to a review study published in October 2021.

By Service

The market is categorized into breeding, genetic testing, cryopreservation, quarantine depending, re-derivation, and others. In the global market, the breeding segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to the rising demand for the rat model in experiments and academic research. Some of the factors that lead to the growth of the breeding segment include similarity in behaviours, ease of handling, and genomic structure similarity. Additionally, the availability of inbred and outbred models to provide various genetic profiles helps in revenue generation within this market. Their extensive use in a variety of cutting-edge research frequently requires mating plans and genome management programmes in rodent handling facilities, which further fuels the market.

By Application

The market is categorized into neurology, toxicology, oncology, immunology, and others. In 2022, the toxicology segment accounted for the highest revenue share due to the increasing investments by the government and major healthcare providers. The ongoing demand for cutting-edge medicines and treatments drives research attempts to enhance the health system.  The rat model is used in toxicology studies throughout the preclinical stage of any drug development to evaluate the dosing schedule, ideal dose, method of administration, and many other factors. Additionally, the rat model used in these researches facilitates analysis of protein expression strategies and organ function throughout human therapy. The rat model is widely used in toxicology as a result of these factors. The immunology market is anticipated to expand at the quickest rate due to the rise in chronic and infectious disorders.

By End User

The market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, CROs, and academic & research institutes. In 2022, the CROs segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to rising outsourcing of preclinical and clinical testing by healthcare organizations and the resulting increase in CROs. Pharma and biotech companies typically outsource their trials and testing on rat models to CROs due to many product development initiatives and a need to hasten market entry. Additionally, CROs are a preferable choice owing to the modern facilities, qualified professionals, and established legal compliances, which support the profitable segment expansion. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology company segment is anticipated to expand in the upcoming years. The manufacturing of drugs and vaccines for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, and the growing use of the rat model along the R&D pipeline, have enhanced revenue generation.

Regional Markets

North America held the largest revenue share in the rat model market in 2022, and it is predicted to continue to do so throughout the forecast period. This is due to high prevalence of chronic diseases, emergence of novel infectious strains, and rising financial burden of healthcare. The expansion of research activities carried out by academic and research institutions is anticipated to support regional growth. For instance, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative and the Medical College of Wisconsin are collaborating to develop and deploy modified rat models of autism. The APAC region is most likely to lead due to low research and labour expenses. It is projected that the possibility of research at a reduced cost in APAC countries such as Japan and India would spur industrial expansion in this region. The Chinese market accounted for a sizeable portion in 2021, and it is anticipated that it will continue to dominate over the course of the forecast period as a result of rising government expenditures on pharmaceutical research and development in general and increase in the number of clinical trials by using animal models.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the rat model market are Envigo, Janvier Labs, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), genOway S.A., Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., Taconic Biosciences, Inc., Biomere, TransViragen, Inc., and Cyagen Biosciences.

To achieve a competitive edge, these businesses are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

For instance, Cyagen Biosciences announced in March 2020 that it has introduced a new knockout catalogue model for use in research that provides affordable and effective solutions. The corporation may widen its client and increase its service offerings in these countries due to the availability of this recently launched catalogue in the U.S. and Europe.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including type, technology, service, application, and end user from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Rat Model Market Report 2022 – 2033

Type (Revenue, USD Million)

• Outbred
• Knockout
• Hybrid
• Immunodeficient
• Inbred
• Conditioned

Technology (Revenue, USD Million)

• Microinjection
• Nuclear Transferase
• Embryonic Stem Cell
• Others

Service (Revenue, USD Million)

• Breeding
• Genetic Testing
• Cryopreservation
• Quarantine Depending
• Re-derivation
• Others

Application (Revenue, USD Million)

• Neurology
• Toxicology
• Oncology
• Immunology
• Others

End user (Revenue, USD Million)

• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• CROs
• Academic & Research Institutes

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA