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.

In Vitro Lung Models Market Analysis

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.

In Vitro Lung Models Market Overview

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.

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In Vitro Lung Models Market: Strategic Insights

Market Size Value in	US$ 185.80 Million in 2018
Market Size Value by	US$ 701.81 Million by 2027
Growth rate	CAGR of 16.2% from 2019-2027
Forecast Period	2019-2027
Base Year	2019

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In Vitro Lung Models Market Drivers and Opportunities

Rising Adoption of In Vitro Models as an Alternative to Animal Testing

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.

Surging Funding and Investments for In Vitro Models

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.

In Vitro Lung Models Market Report Segmentation Analysis

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.

• Based on type, the In Vitro lung models market is bifurcated into 3D Models and 2D Models. The 3D model held the largest share of the In Vitro lung models market in 2024, and it is expected to register a significant CAGR during 2025–2031.
• By application, the market is categorized into drug discovery and toxicology studies, physiological research, regenerative medicine, and others. The drug discovery and toxicology studies segment held the largest share of the In Vitro lung models market in 2024.
• In terms of end user, the In Vitro lung models market is segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutes, and others. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment held the largest share of the In Vitro lung models market in 2024, and it is expected to register a significant CAGR during 2025–2031.

In Vitro Lung Models Market Share Analysis by 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

In Vitro Lung Models Market Report Scope

In Vitro Lung Models Market News and Recent Developments

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:

• Emulate, Inc., a provider of next-generation in vitro models, welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) newly announced plan to reduce reliance on animal testing in preclinical safety studies. The FDA’s strategic roadmap outlines how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including organ chips, advanced computational modeling, and other in vitro assays, will help streamline drug development, lower costs, and improve patient safety. (Source: Emulate Inc., Company Website, April 2025)
• Lonza, a global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and nutraceutical markets, today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Genentech large-scale biologics manufacturing site in Vacaville, California (US) from Roche for US$ 1.2 billion. (Source: Lonza, Company Website, March 2025).

In Vitro Lung Models Market Report Coverage and Deliverables

The "In Vitro Lung Models Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:

• In Vitro Lung Models Market size and forecast at global, regional, and country levels for all the key market segments covered under the scope
• In Vitro Lung Models Market trends, as well as market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and key opportunities
• Detailed PEST and SWOT analysis
• In Vitro Lung Models Market analysis covering key market trends, global and regional framework, major players, regulations, and recent market developments
• Industry landscape and competition analysis covering market concentration, heat map analysis, prominent players, and recent developments for the In Vitro lung models Market
• Detailed company profiles