The global natural killer cells therapeutics market size reached USD 3.2 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 8.6 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% during 2025-2033. The rising risks of developing cancer, along with the expanding geriatric population, are propelling the market.
Natural Killer Cells Therapeutics Market Trends:
Increasing Popularity of Combination Therapies
Combining NK cell therapies with other treatment modalities to enhance therapeutic efficacy is gaining extensive traction. For example, Innate Pharma's Lumoxiti, an anti-CD22 immunotoxin, is adopted in conjunction with NK cells to destroy and target CD22-expressing cancer cells in hairy cell leukemia. Moreover, this approach leverages the strengths of both therapies. Besides this, in May 2024, Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cell therapy platforms for autoimmune, cancer, and infectious diseases, introduced SNAP-CAR NK cells to target multiple antigens.
Growing Regulatory Approval
The rising focus among government agencies on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of NK cell production is acting as a significant growth-inducing factor. Furthermore, they are encouraging the translation of laboratory research into viable clinical therapies, which will continue to fuel the market over the foreseeable future. For example, in April 2024, Ingenium Therapeutics, a leading innovator in next-generation NK cell therapies, received an Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Rising Demand for Real-Time Monitoring
The widespread integration of real-time monitoring and data analytics into NK cell therapy development is enhancing treatment precision and patient outcomes. Moreover, platforms like Bio-Techne's Ella system enable precise monitoring of cytokine production during NK cell expansion, thereby ensuring optimal cell functionality. Real-time analytics also allow researchers to adjust culture conditions dynamically, which aids in improving the quality and effectiveness of the NK cells produced. This is positively influencing the market.
Global Natural Killer Cells Therapeutics Industry Segmentation:
Breakup by Therapeutics:
NK Cell Therapies
NK Cell Directed Antibodies
Currently, NK cell directed antibodies hold the majority of the total market share
NK cell directed antibodies target natural killer cells to enhance their ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. For example, Affimed's AFM13, a bispecific NK cell engager, targets CD30 on cancer cells and CD16A on NK cells.
Breakup by Application:
Cancer
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Immunoproliferative Disorders
Others
Cancer currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market
The inflating need for effective cancer treatments drives the segment's growth. Recent product launches have underscored the potential of NK cell-based therapies in oncology. For instance, Fate Therapeutics' FT596 is an off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell therapy designed to target multiple cancer types, including B-cell malignancies.
Breakup by End User:
Hospitals
Research Centers and Institutes
Others
Currently, research centers and institutes hold the majority of the total market share
Research centers and institutes offer high-quality reagents and technologies that streamline NK cell research, which is increasing the natural killer cells therapeutics market share. For example, Bio-Techne's Cloudz Human NK Cell Expansion Kit allows researchers to expand NK cells ex vivo efficiently.
Breakup by Region:
North America
United States
Canada
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Australia
Indonesia
Others
Europe
Germany
France
United Kingdom
Italy
Spain
Russia
Others
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Others
Middle East and Africa
North America exhibits a clear dominance in the market
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share.
Advancements in biotechnology and a strong focus on innovative cancer treatments are primarily catalyzing the market in North America. According to the IMARC, the United States cancer immunotherapy market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 10.90% during 2024-2032. Besides this, collaborations between biotech firms are strengthening the regional market.
Competitive Landscape:
The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major market companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:
Affimed GmbH
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Fate Therapeutics
Fortress Biotech Inc.
Glycostem Therapeutics
Innate Pharma S.A.
Kuur Therapeutics Inc. (Athenex Inc.)
Nkarta Inc.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Ziopharm Oncology Inc.
Key Questions Answered in This Report
1.What was the size of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market in 2024?
2.What is the expected growth rate of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market during 2025-2033?
3.What are the key factors driving the global natural killer cells therapeutics market?
4.What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global natural killer cells therapeutics market?
5.What is the breakup of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market based on the therapeutics?
6.What is the breakup of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market based on the application?
7.What is the breakup of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market based on the end user?
8.What are the key regions in the global natural killer cells therapeutics market?
9.Who are the key players/companies in the global natural killer cells therapeutics market?