The In Vitro lung models market size is projected to reach US$ 1,530.11 million by 2031 from US$ 446.35 million in 2024. The market is estimated to register a CAGR of 19.4% during 2025–2031. Applications of 3D cultures and AI in oncology are likely to bring new trends to the market in the coming years.
The market growth is driven by the surging prevalence of respiratory diseases and the rising adoption of in vitro models as an alternative to animal testing. Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) allow the study of airway constriction and inflammation, facilitating the evaluation of novel therapeutic targets for asthma and other respiratory conditions. Lung-on-a-chip devices have been developed to replicate the physiological conditions of the human lung. The University of Michigan's "lung-on-a-chip" device uses human lung-tissue cells cultured on a plastic chip with microscopic channels to simulate the conditions inside the lungs, providing new insights into diseases. Thus, the increasing demand for effective treatments and research models fuels the growth of the in vitro lung model market.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, asthma affected ~25 million people in the US in 2021. According to the WHO, in 2022, ~2.5 million individuals were diagnosed with lung cancer, and over 1.8 million people died from the disease. As per the WHO data, from the emergence of COVID-19 in late 2019 to April 2023, the number of reported cases was ~762 million, with 6.81 million associated deaths. This rising incidence of respiratory diseases is spurring the demand for advanced research models to understand disease mechanisms and develop effective treatments. In vitro lung models provide valuable platforms for studying disease mechanisms and testing potential therapies, supporting the development of effective treatments.
In vitro lung models offer an alternative to animal testing, enabling researchers to study human lung biology and diseases with greater precision and relevance. These in vitro models closely replicate the alveoli, airways, vasculature, mesothelium, and interstitium of native lung tissue. Their multicellular composition allows for an accurate simulation of spatial and functional dynamics found in situ lungs, making them an indispensable tool in biomedical research. As a result, researchers are now adopting lung models for a wide range of applications, from disease modeling to toxicology and drug development. The 2021 Innovation grant spurred the development of a synthetic lung model at the University of Reading. The winner, Dr. Hisham Al-Obaidi, and his team at the University of Reading were awarded a US$ 8,692.19 (£6,500) Innovation Grant in 2021 to develop a synthetic lung model aimed at replacing animal testing. The project focuses on creating an in vitro lung model to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents, with the goal of providing an in vitro model that resembles the human lungs to traditional animal-based methods. The team opted for a non-biological model designed to simulate drug behavior in the human respiratory system. Their approach demonstrated that the tested drug could penetrate deep into the lung-like structure, pass through a hydrogel layer simulating mucus, and eliminate bacterial presence. Now, the team is in the process of validating the model. This process includes testing the impact of inhaled antibiotic particles on mature bacterial colonies cultured on agar plates to determine whether any viable bacteria remain after treatment. This model could serve as a valuable tool for predicting antimicrobial efficacy in humans while reducing reliance on animal testing.
In vitro lung models offer more accurate simulations of human lung physiology than traditional 2D cultures. This advancement has attracted investments from the public and private sectors. Emulate, a biotechnology company specializing in Organs-on-Chips technology, has attracted investments to commercialize human cell-based models that replicate organ-level functions. In September 2021, Emulate raised US$ 82 million in a Series E funding round led by the Founders Fund, underscoring the confidence in organ-on-chip platforms for drug testing and disease modeling. In December 2024, Newcells Biotech, a UK-based biotech startup specializing in the development of advanced in vitro models for drug discovery, secured US$ 1.60 million (£1.2 million) in funding from Mercia Ventures, Northstar Ventures, and North East Finance. Founded in 2015 as a spin-out from Newcastle University, Newcells develops 3D tissue models that replicate the retina, kidney, and lung. These models are used to predict drug safety and efficacy. The funding will enable Newcells to expand its customer base, form new partnerships, and enhance its offerings in key international markets. Thus, such funding and investments facilitate the development of more effective treatments for respiratory diseases, offering promising future opportunities for companies in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the In Vitro Lung Models Market analysis are technology, animal type, route of administration, end user, and geography.
The geographic scope of the In Vitro Lung Models Market report is mainly divided into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America. North America dominated the market in 2024. The technological innovations and strong biomedical research infrastructure contribute to the growth of the market in North America. Technological innovations have played a pivotal role in enhancing the complexity and functionality of in vitro models. Advancements in tissue engineering, microfluidics, and organ-on-a-chip technologies have enabled the development of more accurate and predictive models for drug discovery and toxicology studies. These innovations facilitate the creation of models that closely mimic human lung physiology, improving the reliability of preclinical testing and reducing the need for animal experiments.
The region is home to leading academic institutions, research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies that are at the forefront of in vitro lung modeling research. These institutions have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technologies, and skilled researchers, enabling them to innovate and advance the field. The market growth is also fueled by the presence of major industry players, the expansion of animal welfare programs and regulations, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure. Also, favorable government initiatives and a rising number of research collaborations further boost the growth of the In Vitro lung models market
The regional trends and factors influencing the In Vitro Lung Models Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses In Vitro Lung Models Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2024 | US$ 446.35 Million |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 1,530.11 Million |
| Global CAGR (2025 - 2031) | 19.4% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Type
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The In Vitro Lung Models Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the In Vitro Lung Models Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The In Vitro lung models market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. Key developments in the market are listed below:
The "In Vitro Lung Models Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
The market is expected to register a CAGR of 19.4% during 2025–2031.
The market value is expected to reach US$ 1,530.11 million by 2031.
The surging prevalence of respiratory diseases and the rising adoption of in vitro models as an alternative to animal testing fuel the market growth.
North America dominated the market in 2024.
The application of 3D cultures and AI in oncology is expected to emerge as a prime trend in the market in the coming years.
MatTek Corp, Lonza Group AG, Emulate, Inc, CN Bio Innovations Ltd, PromoCell GmbH, Charles River Laboratories International Inc, MIMETAS BV, InSphero AG, Organovo Holdings Inc, Draper, Inc, Epithelix, AlveoliX AG, and American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) are among the key players in the market.