Ligase Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Quick Ligase, T4 DNA Ligase, E.Coli DNA Ligase, T4 RNA Ligase, Others), By Source (Archaebacterium, Escherichia coli, Thermus thermophilus, Others), By Application (Ligase Chain Reaction, Ligase Detection Reaction, Next Generation Sequencing, Molecular Cloning, Others), By End User (Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies, Academic & Research Institutions, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Ligase Market was valued at USD 471.00 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 674.19 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.16% during the forecast period. The global market for Ligase is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising prevalence of infectious, genetic, and chronic diseases, and increase in R&D activities are impelling the growth of the market. Ligases are enzymes that catalyze the reaction by joining two molecules by forming a new chemical bond. Ligase has a crucial role in the molecular diagnostics method, as it makes sure the safety and effective application of targeted therapeutics. The other factors supporting the market’s growth are, increasing demand for disease treatment, increasing investments in the R&D, growing research & development, expansion of diagnostics and pharmaceutical companies, adoption of advanced technology, and rising world population. Also, the increasing strategic growth such as mergers, collaborations, and acquisitions are strengthening the growth of the market. For instance, in 2021, BLIRT S.A. enlarged its laboratory facility at Technology Park and Gdansk Science. The new laboratory is involved in growing its production scale for key enzymes and improving production processes.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Demand for DNA Sequencing and Genomics Research

The rapid advancement of genomics research is a primary driver for the global ligase market. DNA ligases play a crucial role in DNA replication, repair, and recombination, making them indispensable in molecular biology workflows such as cloning, library preparation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). As governments continue to invest in genomic research and precision medicine, the demand for ligase enzymes is steadily increasing.

For instance, the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) reports that the cost of sequencing a human genome has plummeted from USD 95 million in 2001 to around USD 600 in 2022, largely due to improvements in sequencing workflows where ligases are essential for preparing DNA libraries. Similarly, the European Commission has invested heavily in the 1+ Million Genomes Initiative, aiming to provide cross-border access to genomic information for research and personalized medicine. These initiatives create a direct need for high-quality ligase enzymes to support DNA assembly and repair in sequencing pipelines.

Expansion of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical R&D

The growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries represent another strong driver for the ligase market. Ligases are integral in recombinant DNA technology, which underpins biopharmaceutical production, gene therapy development, and vaccine research. These applications require efficient ligase enzymes for genetic modification, plasmid construction, and synthetic biology. Global pharmaceutical R&D spending has surged in recent years. According to the OECD, pharmaceutical R&D expenditure worldwide reached USD 238 billion in 2022, with the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific leading investments. This funding directly translates into higher usage of enzymes like ligases for developing therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and nucleic acid–based therapies.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

High Cost of Enzyme Production and Purification

One of the significant challenges in the global ligase market is the high production and purification cost of ligase enzymes. Producing high-quality, recombinant ligases suitable for molecular biology and clinical use requires advanced bioprocessing facilities, expensive expression systems, and rigorous purification protocols. These processes increase production costs, which in turn raises the price of ligase products for end users.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, producing recombinant enzymes at commercial scale requires energy-intensive processes and stringent quality control, often increasing production costs by 30–40% compared to bulk enzymes used in industrial applications. Smaller research institutions and laboratories, particularly in developing regions, face affordability issues when purchasing ligase enzymes, limiting widespread adoption.

Furthermore, the global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of enzyme manufacturing. The World Trade Organization (WTO) reported a nearly 5% decline in global trade volumes in 2020, with biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains facing delays and increased costs. The reliance on specialized facilities concentrated in a few regions makes the supply of ligases vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and export restrictions.

Regulatory and Quality Control Barriers

Another major challenge for the ligase market lies in regulatory compliance and quality assurance. Since ligases are used in molecular diagnostics, therapeutic development, and clinical sequencing, their production and application are subject to strict quality regulations. Manufacturers must adhere to guidelines such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality standards set by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

However, achieving compliance is resource-intensive and time-consuming. For example, FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) requires extensive validation for enzymes used in gene therapies or diagnostic assays, often delaying product launches. Additionally, variations in regulations across regions complicate global distribution. For instance, the European Union’s In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR), which came into effect in 2022, introduced stricter requirements for diagnostic reagents, including enzymes like ligases.

According to the European Commission, nearly 80% of diagnostic manufacturers reported challenges in meeting the IVDR compliance timelines, underscoring the regulatory burden. These barriers increase development costs and delay market entry for new ligase products. Smaller players may struggle to meet these compliance demands, leading to reduced innovation and consolidation of the market among larger companies.

Key Market Trends

Integration of Ligases in Synthetic Biology and Gene Editing

A key trend shaping the ligase market is the growing integration of ligase enzymes in synthetic biology and gene editing technologies. DNA ligases are critical in joining DNA fragments, enabling researchers to construct synthetic genes, pathways, and even entire genomes. With the rise of CRISPR-Cas and other advanced gene editing platforms, ligases are increasingly being used to repair double-stranded breaks and facilitate precise DNA assembly.

Governments worldwide are heavily investing in synthetic biology. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) allocated USD 118 million in 2022 to synthetic biology research, while the UK Government has committed substantial funding under its UK Synthetic Biology Roadmap. Similarly, China has declared synthetic biology as one of its key “frontier technologies,” fueling local demand for ligases.

Ligases also play a crucial role in the emerging field of DNA data storage, where synthetic DNA strands are constructed to encode digital information. The U.S. Department of Defense has explored DNA-based data storage as part of its advanced computing research, further expanding application areas. As gene editing and synthetic biology become central to biotechnology, the integration of ligases into these workflows is expected to accelerate, shaping future market growth.

Growing Use of Ligase-Based Diagnostics in Infectious Disease and Cancer

Another important trend is the increasing use of ligase enzymes in diagnostics, particularly for infectious diseases and oncology. Ligase chain reaction (LCR) and related ligase-dependent assays are widely used for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), pathogens, and genetic mutations. With the rising global burden of infectious diseases and cancer, these diagnostic applications are gaining traction.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infectious diseases remain a leading cause of death globally, with over 7 million deaths annually from respiratory infections alone. Rapid, accurate diagnostics are essential for managing outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance. Ligase-based assays offer high specificity and are being adopted in molecular diagnostics for diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and COVID-19.

In oncology, ligase-based mutation detection assays are increasingly being used for early cancer screening and personalized treatment planning. The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported that the cancer incidence in the U.S. reached 1.9 million new cases in 2022, creating demand for advanced genetic diagnostics. Ligase-dependent methods are particularly useful for identifying oncogenic mutations at high sensitivity, making them valuable tools in precision oncology.

Segmental Insights

Product Insights

Based on Product, the T4 DNA Ligase category holds the largest market share. This dominance is primarily due to its widespread use in molecular cloning, genetic engineering, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows. T4 DNA ligase is the most versatile and widely adopted enzyme for joining DNA fragments, repairing single-strand breaks, and facilitating recombinant DNA construction, making it indispensable for both research laboratories and commercial biotechnology applications. Academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and diagnostic laboratories consistently rely on T4 DNA ligase because of its high efficiency in sealing blunt and sticky ends, which is essential in cloning vectors, creating recombinant organisms, and building sequencing libraries. For instance, in genomics research, T4 DNA ligase is routinely used in library preparation for NGS platforms, a market that has seen exponential growth worldwide. According to the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), the cost of sequencing a human genome has plummeted from nearly USD 100 million in 2001 to less than USD 1,000 in 2020, driving an explosion in sequencing applications that require ligase enzymes at scale.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

Based on the region, North America holds the largest market share, primarily due to its strong biotechnology and pharmaceutical research ecosystem, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and significant investment in molecular biology and genomics research. The United States plays a leading role with extensive funding from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which allocated over USD 47 billion in biomedical research funding in 2023. A substantial portion of this funding supports genetic research, DNA manipulation technologies, and enzyme-based assays where ligases are crucial. Furthermore, the region has a dense concentration of research universities, academic laboratories, and private biotech companies actively engaged in recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy development, and diagnostic advancements, all of which heavily rely on ligase enzymes for precise DNA joining and molecular cloning applications.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, received FDA approval for Encelto (revakinagene taroretcel-lwey) for the treatment of adults with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2. It is an allogeneic encapsulated cell-based gene therapy which requires gene editing tools/cloning techniques. In June 2023, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. and Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM) announced a collaborative study focused on identifying potential disease-causing genetic variants and improving diagnostic success rates in rare disease cases.
• in September 2024, Agilent Technologies Inc. acquired BIOVECTRA, a Canada-based contract development and manufacturing organization that specializes in biologics, highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients, and other molecules for targeted therapeutics. Such acquisitions will help the company to expand its production capabilities.
• In November 2023, New England Biolabs (NEB) launched the NEBNext UltraExpress DNA and RNA Library Prep Kits. These kits are designed for next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina platform and include these enzymes to streamline library preparation workflows.
• In January 2023, Danaher and the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) launched a collaborative research center aimed at developing CRISPR-based gene therapies for a wide array of diseases. Such collaboration between academic institutes and industries for drug discovery is expected to fuel the segment growth over projected years.

Key Market Players

• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Codexis, Inc.
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• Merck KGaA
• Promega Corporation
• QIAGEN N.V.
• ArcticZymes Technologies ASA
• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• Takara Bio Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ligase Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ligase Market, By Product:

o   Quick Ligase

o   T4 DNA Ligase

o   E.Coli DNA Ligase

o   T4 RNA Ligase

o   Others

• Ligase Market, By Source:

o   Archaebacterium

o   Escherichia coli

o   Thermus thermophilus

o   Others

• Ligase Market, By Application:

o   Ligase Chain Reaction

o   Ligase Detection Reaction

o   Next Generation Sequencing

o   Molecular Cloning

o   Others

• Ligase Market, By End User:

o   Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies

o   Academic & Research Institutions

o   Others

• Ligase Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Mexico

§  Canada

o   Europe

§  France

§  Germany

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Spain

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  South Korea

§  Japan

§  Australia

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East and Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Ligase Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Ligase Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Ligase Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]