Stem cells are a type of pluripotent cell with the ability to replicate themselves. Under certain conditions, it can differentiate into a variety of functional cells. According to the developmental stage of stem cells, they are divided into embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and adult stem cells (Somatic stem cells). According to the developmental potential of stem cells, they are divided into three categories: totipotent stem cells (TSCs), pluripotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells (or unipotent stem cells). Stem cells are a type of under-differentiated and immature cell that has the potential to regenerate various tissues, organs and the human body, and is called a "universal cell" by the medical community.
A stem cell bank is a place where stem cells or related data are stored in liquid nitrogen (cryogen) at about -196oC. A well-developed stem cell bank should have the ability to provide healthy stem cells for clinical use anytime, anywhere. In 2020, 17.37% of the world's stem cell banks were used for research and disease treatment, and 82.63% of stem cell banks were unused.
Analysis of the current situation and prospect of the stem cell bank industry in the global and Korean regions
After a period of development, the industry has entered a mature period. Globally, the Asia-Pacific region is the largest revenue market for the stem cell banking industry. In 2020, the Asia-Pacific region market revenue of this industry was USD 756.52 million, accounting for 46.21% of the global market share. North America and Europe ranked second and third with a market share of 28.73% and 21.08%, respectively. South America, the Middle East and Africa accounted for a very low share, accounting for only 3.01% and 0.98% of the market. In addition, the future development trend of the industry in the Asia-Pacific region is also good, and it is predicted that it will continue to grow rapidly in the next 5 years, and the region is expected to account for 54.72% of the global market by 2025.
The top 3 companies in the industry are Sanpower Group from China, Cord Blood Registry (CBR) and ViaCord from the United States. In 2020, these three companies accounted for 15.22%, 7.54% and 3.80% of the global market share, respectively. The top 3 companies together occupy less than 30% of the market, which shows that the market concentration of the global stem cell bank industry is low and the competition is very fierce. However, from the perspective of the Korean region alone, the concentration of this industry is high. In 2019, Medipost, Sewon Cellontech, and CHA Biotech ranked among the top three in the Korean cell banking industry with market shares of 52.35%, 11.03%, and 9.10%, respectively.
According to the data, the total market revenue of the global stem cell bank industry in 2015 was 1295.15 million US dollars, and the industry developed relatively stable from 2015 to 2020, and by 2020, the total market value has reached 1637.29 million US dollars. On the basis of this data, combined with the development law of the industry, we have carried out a series of function operations to scientifically deduce the data for the next five years. Finally, it can be predicted that the annual value of the global stem cell industry will continue to rise from 2021 to 2025, growing to 2446.74 million US dollars by 2025.
The impact of the epidemic on the global stem cell bank industry and the future development trend of the industry
Stem cell technology has long been used in the clinical treatment of infectious diseases and complications. Previously, there have been attempts to treat H7N9 avian influenza with stem cell technology, and the results have been very good. Therefore, at present, many medical institutions and scientific research institutions in China have launched relevant research on stem cell therapy for the COVID-19 epidemic. Lung tissue damage puts critically ill patients at risk of death and sequelae, and stem cells have the potential to repair lung damage in these patients. For the treatment of new crown pneumonia, the existing clinical application has been effective, especially in the process of rescuing critical cases. Its mechanism of action is multifaceted, including stem cells through direct contact with target cells, paracrine effects, modulation of immune function, inhibition of inflammation, reduction of alveolar epithelial cell death, and promotion of lung tissue repair.
Although it will take some time to become widely available, stem cell technology has created opportunities and options for humans to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic or some relatively dangerous diseases. COVID-19 patients are mainly concentrated in the elderly, especially those with chronic diseases, and the susceptibility factors are mainly decreased body function and weakened immunity. As a result, they are more susceptible to the novel coronavirus, and their illness is relatively accelerated and more severe. Stem cells play a key role in the treatment of chronic diseases or novel coronary pneumonia. Thus, the pandemic has boosted the use of stem cells and has largely driven the growth of the market.
In addition, in recent years, although people's living standards and quality of life have improved significantly, there are more and more patients with chronic diseases in the world, and the proportion of deaths caused by chronic diseases in the total number of deaths is also increasing. Chronic diseases have a long course of disease, complex etiology, and difficult treatment. Stem cell therapy has great potential in treating a range of common chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease (myocardial infarction), Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, blood and immune system disorders. Until a few years ago, there was no cure or effective treatment for these diseases. The benefits of stem cells include reversing diseases such as Parkinson's by growing new, healthy, functioning brain cells; repair and regenerate tissues and muscles damaged by heart disease; Addressing genetic defects by introducing normal cells; Reduce mortality in patients waiting for transplant by regenerating healthy cells and tissues as an alternative to donor organs. Therefore, considering the effectiveness of stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases, the rising incidence of chronic diseases is an opportunity for the stem cell banking industry.
However, cell, tissue, and biobanks incur significant expenses during sample handling, quality testing, and sample preservation and storage, not including the purchase and maintenance of expensive instruments, reagents, and consumables, which undoubtedly incur high operating costs for service providers. In addition, the increasingly stringent and mandatory high ethical standards and regulatory requirements related to stem cell preservation and storage, as well as the expensive licensing and approval procedures for the establishment of stem cell banks in developed countries, are expected to further increase the overall operating costs of stem cell bank service providers, which poses certain challenges to the development of the stem cell bank market.