Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Size, Trends, Growth Forecast & Opportunities 2025-2035

Market Overview

The global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market is valued at USD 7.78 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 21.62 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 9.75% between 2025 and 2035.

The Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market specializes in the custom chemical production of short DNA or RNA sequences used in genetic research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology applications. Oligonucleotides are essential tools in genome editing, PCR, sequencing, and antisense therapeutics development. The market is mainly driven by the rising prevalence of genetic disorders and chronic diseases, growing demand for personalized medicine, advancements in synthetic biology, and increasing investment in pharmaceutical R&D. With the expansion of genomics, molecular diagnostics, and targeted drug delivery systems, the need for high-quality oligonucleotides continues to surge. Moreover, the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, along with the ongoing breakthroughs in CRISPR and gene editing, is further accelerating the demand for precise oligonucleotide design and synthesis, pushing this market to new frontiers within the life sciences industry.

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Market Segmentation & Key Companies

Segment Covered

By Product

• Synthesized Oligonucleotides

o   By Product

o   By Type

• Oligonucleotide-based Drugs
• Reagents
• Equipment

By Application

• Therapeutic Applications

o   By Type

o   By Disease Type

• Diagnostic Applications
• Research Applications

o   PCR

o   Sequencing

o   Other Research Applications

By End User

• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• CROs and CMOs
• Academic Research Institutes

By Region

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific)
• Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)
• Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Companies Covered  

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (U.S.)
• Atdbio Ltd. (UK)
• LGC Limited (UK)
• Bio-Synthesis Inc. (U.S.)
• Eurofins Genomics (Luxembourg)
• Kaneka Eurogentec S.A. (Belgium)
• General Electric (U.S.)
• Genscript (U.S.)
• Ajinomoto Co. Inc. (Japan)
• Danaher Corp. (U.S.)
• Merck Kgaa (Germany)

Market Dynamics

The oligonucleotide synthesis market is shaped by a dynamic blend of scientific innovation, increasing healthcare needs, and expanding biotech infrastructure, all of which are fueling market growth at a steady pace. One of the key market drivers is the growing utilization of oligonucleotides in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. With the surge in chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and viral infections, researchers are increasingly leveraging oligonucleotide-based treatments that deliver high target specificity with fewer side effects. Moreover, the continued advancement of gene-editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, antisense technology, and RNA interference (RNAi) has broadened the potential uses of synthetic nucleotides in gene therapy and functional genomics.

Market dynamics are further influenced by the increasing adoption of synthetic biology in drug discovery and agricultural development. Innovations in automation, high-throughput synthesis platforms, and the reduction in the cost per base have transformed oligonucleotide production from an expensive lab-driven concept to a cost-effective commercial process. The entry of biotech startups and collaborations between pharmaceutical giants and oligo synthesis service providers have intensified competition, leading to faster innovation and better customization services.

At the same time, regulatory landscapes pertaining to the approval and quality control of therapeutic oligonucleotides are becoming more structured. This is opening new doors for high-value commercial applications but also necessitating compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The rising awareness of genomic medicine, aided by increasing healthcare expenditure and patient-centric therapeutic approaches, is firmly positioning oligonucleotide synthesis as a critical component of modern biohealth strategies. However, supply chain complexities, stringent quality assurance requirements, and intellectual property challenges remain as underlying market pressures.

Top Trends in the Market

The oligonucleotide synthesis market is experiencing a wave of transformative trends that are reshaping how DNA and RNA strands are designed, produced, and utilized across medical and research applications. One of the most prominent trends is the rapid surge in demand for therapeutic oligonucleotides, particularly for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNA, and aptamers. These molecules have shown high promise in treating rare genetic diseases, cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders like ALS and Huntington’s disease. Increasing FDA approvals and successful clinical trials in this domain are further propelling investor interest and fast-tracking product development.

Another key trend is the miniaturization and automation of oligonucleotide synthesizers, which are now integrated with advanced robotics and AI-driven systems that allow rapid, high-throughput production while minimizing human error. Additionally, modification chemistry in oligo synthesis is evolving, enabling the integration of fluorescent tags, linkers, and other functional groups to make molecules more stable or effective for specific functions like qPCR or in-situ hybridization.

The market also reflects growing attention toward environmentally sustainable synthesis methods, focusing on reducing hazardous waste and solvent use during oligo manufacturing. Personalized medicine, particularly in oncology and infectious disease diagnostics, is reinforcing the need for custom sequence synthesis tailored to an individual’s genome. Furthermore, as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray technologies become more mainstream, ready-to-use oligonucleotide libraries and custom primers are seeing a spike in demand.

Cloud-based platforms that facilitate bioinformatics analysis and sequence design tools are enhancing the customer experience and making sequence ordering more intuitive and efficient for research organizations, CROs, and pharmaceutical companies. These trends underscore that the oligonucleotide synthesis market is not just growing it’s evolving in tandem with the cutting edge of molecular biology.

Recent Market Developments

• January 2023: Agilent Technologies announced that it will spend $725 million to double its manufacturing capacity for therapeutic nucleic acids, or oligonucleotides. The project is the latest in a round of industry investment responding to fast growth in a market that Agilent currently values at $1 billion per year.
• July 2022: WuXi STA, a subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, launched a new large-scale oligonucleotide and peptide manufacturing facility at its Changzhou campus. The new launch allows for an increased capacity and capability to meet the growing global demand for oligonucleotide and peptide therapeutics development and manufacturing.
• April 2022: Bachem entered a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly & Company to develop and manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients based on oligonucleotides, a rising new class of complex molecules. Lillys novel oligonucleotide manufacturing technology is implemented with Bachems expertise and engineering infrastructure according to the agreement.

Top Report Findings

• RisAgilent Technologies has recently announced a significant investment of $725 million to double its manufacturing capacity for therapeutic nucleic acids, including oligonucleotides. This forward-looking project aims to meet the growing market demand and reflects Agilents confidence in the potential of oligonucleotide therapies.
• The North American region generated more than 39.8% of revenue share in 2024.
• The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the quickest rate from 2025 to 2035.
• The Oligonucleotide-based Drugs segment accounted for the most significant market growth in 2024.
• The Research Applications segment revealed the most significant market growth, contributing more than 28.7% of the total revenue share in 2024.
• The Academic Research Institutes segment accounts for the most considerable revenue of 41.3% in 2024.

Challenges

Despite its growth trajectory, the oligonucleotide synthesis market faces a series of critical challenges that may hinder its long-term scalability and accessibility. The most notable obstacle is the high production cost of therapeutic-grade oligonucleotides, particularly when complex modifications and stringent purity levels are involved. GMP-grade oligos meant for human therapies must go through rigorous quality and safety testing, which considerably raises prices and extends development timelines.

Another challenge is the technical complexity of large-scale synthesis and purification processes. As sequence lengths and modifications become more sophisticated, errors in synthesis — such as deletion, truncation, or wrong base insertions — become more common, leading to inefficient yields and rework. Moreover, IP rights and patent barriers are an ongoing concern, especially as more biotech companies enter the therapeutic oligo space. Navigating through overlapping patents can be a legal and operational dilemma for manufacturers.

The limited availability of skilled professionals proficient in nucleic acid chemistry, regulatory compliance, and automated synthesis systems can also slow industry progress. Cold chain logistics and storage stability of oligonucleotides, particularly for export markets, further complicate operations. Together, these challenges necessitate ongoing research, regulatory clarity, and innovative process refinement to ensure the market keeps pace with its ambitious expectations.

Opportunities

Amidst the market’s complexity, there lies an abundance of opportunities ready to be tapped — particularly in the development of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, which continues to expand into multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases. As clinical trials yield successful outcomes, pharmaceutical companies are more inclined to invest in oligo technologies as part of their drug development pipelines.

There’s also tremendous opportunity in custom and modified oligonucleotides tailored for researchers and diagnostic labs. Offering flexible formats, faster turnaround times, and online synthesis platforms can help companies differentiate and capture niche customer bases. Expanding into underpenetrated regional markets, especially in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia, presents additional growth potential — supported by rising biotech startups and healthcare improvements.

The demand for scalable, environmentally friendly synthesis methods gives rise to another avenue of market expansion. Green chemistry initiatives, solvent recycling, and enzyme-assisted synthesis methods are gaining attention as essential features for long-term success. Additionally, collaborations between IT firms and life sciences companies can foster powerful digital synthesis platforms that accelerate design, ordering, and delivery processes, enhancing user accessibility and global reach. Broadening product portfolios with innovative chemical modifications, labeled probes, and primer kits can also position companies positively in the evolving landscape of genetic testing and precision medicine.

Key Questions Answered in the Market Report

1. What is the current market size and projected growth rate of the global oligonucleotide synthesis market?
2. Which key segments—research, diagnostics, or therapeutics—are registering the highest demand?
3. How is automation and artificial intelligence shaping oligonucleotide synthesis?
4. What are the most promising applications of therapeutic oligos in modern medicine?
5. Who are the leading players in the oligonucleotide synthesis industry, and what are their strategic initiatives?
6. What technological innovations have recently emerged in synthesis and purification?
7. How do regulatory frameworks impact the development and commercialization of synthesized oligonucleotides?
8. What are the major challenges and risks faced by suppliers and manufacturers in the market?

Regional Analysis – North America

North America stands as the dominant region in the oligonucleotide synthesis market, owing to its robust biotechnology infrastructure, strong investment culture, and leadership in genomic research. The United States accounts for the lion’s share, driven by an array of research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical laboratories that continuously push the envelope in molecular diagnostics and biologic therapeutics. The region’s focus on precision medicine has further elevated the demand for customized oligonucleotide solutions across a wide range of applications, from cancer screening to the development of mRNA-based vaccines.

Government support through research funding, coupled with regulatory clarity provided by agencies such as the FDA and NIH, has created an enabling environment for innovation. Additionally, the region is home to several industry giants and emerging startups that collaborate closely with academic bodies and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to accelerate oligonucleotide-based drug development. Cloud-based ordering platforms, integrated logistics systems, and advanced synthesis facilities are other strengths that reinforce North America's leadership in this sector.

Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rare genetic conditions is catalyzing clinical adoption of therapeutic oligonucleotides. North America also benefits from a skilled workforce, cutting-edge instrumentation, and an expanding network of gene therapy and RNA-based treatment programs. With a growing interest in green chemistry, local manufacturers are also leading efforts in sustainable synthesis practices. As these trends continue, North America is expected to stay at the forefront of innovation, adoption, and revenue generation in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market.

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Conclusion

The oligonucleotide synthesis market is swiftly evolving into a cornerstone of modern biotechnology and medicine. Fueled by advances in genetic research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine, it offers unprecedented opportunities to reshape disease treatment and research methodologies. While the industry faces hurdles such as high production costs, complex regulations, and technological bottlenecks, its potential remains immense thanks to continuous innovation, collaboration, and global investment. With North America leading the charge, and other regions ramping up participation, the oligonucleotide synthesis industry is well-positioned for robust, long-term growth. As next-generation therapies, synthetic biology, and custom nucleic acid tools become mainstream, market stakeholders must continue embracing innovation, sustainability, and customer responsiveness to thrive in this high-potential domain.