Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market By Type of Synthesis Method (Enzymatic, IVT, Chemical/Scaffold); By Application Area (Therapeutics, Vaccines, Diagnostics, Academic Research); By End User (Biotech & Pharma, Academia, CDMOs, Diagnostics); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction and Strategic Context

The Global Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market is expanding at a powerful CAGR of 17.8%, rising from $152.4 million in 2024 to $412.7 million by 2030, fueled by advances in RNA drug development, oncology research, molecular biology tools, genomic medicine, biotechnology platforms, and next-generation therapeutics, according to Strategic Market Research.

 

Circular RNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their covalently closed-loop structures, offering enhanced stability over linear RNAs. In recent years, circRNAs have gained prominence in gene therapy, vaccine development, biomarker discovery, and RNA-based therapeutics due to their unique biological properties and translational potential. The synthetic production of circRNAs — through enzymatic ligation, ribozyme-mediated circularization, or synthetic scaffolds — is emerging as a foundational capability in next-generation molecular medicine.

 

From a strategic standpoint, the circRNA synthesis market occupies a crucial niche in the expanding RNA-based biotechnology ecosystem. With mRNA vaccine success validating RNA therapeutics, circRNAs now represent a second wave of RNA innovation, offering extended half-life, non-immunogenic expression, and modular design. These properties make them highly suited for oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunotherapy applications.

 

The market is being driven by four major macro-level forces:

• Technological Advancements : Enzymatic and in vitro transcription methods have improved yield, circularization efficiency, and sequence fidelity.

• Rising Disease Burden : Increasing incidence of chronic and genetic disorders — such as cancer, rare diseases, and CNS conditions — has expanded the therapeutic need for stable RNA constructs.

• Evolving Regulatory Support : Agencies like the FDA and EMA are gradually laying down frameworks for RNA therapies, promoting innovation and clinical trials for non-traditional RNA formats.

• Academic and Biotech Investment : Venture funding for synthetic biology and RNA drug platforms is at an all-time high, with startups focused on circRNA design receiving multimillion-dollar seed and Series A rounds.

 

Key stakeholders in this market include:

• OEMs and biotech manufacturers of RNA synthesis kits and platforms

• Contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) providing RNA synthesis services

• Academic and clinical research institutions exploring circRNA therapeutics

• Pharmaceutical innovators integrating circRNA constructs into drug pipelines

• Regulatory bodies and public health authorities

• Investors and venture capitalists funding synthetic RNA technologies

As of 2024, the field is transitioning from academic curiosity to commercial potential, making it a strategically timed opportunity for both technology developers and therapeutic innovators.

 

Comprehensive Market Snapshot

The Global Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market is projected to expand at a strong 17.8% CAGR, increasing from USD 152.4 million in 2024 to USD 412.7 million by 2030, driven by accelerating RNA therapeutics innovation and platform scalability.

Regional Revenue Estimates

• USA accounted for the largest market share of 44.0% in 2024, with a market size of USD 67.1 million, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% during 2024–2030, reaching approximately USD 169.8 million by 2030.

• Europe held a 28.0% share in 2024, with a market size of USD 42.7 million, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 15.6% through 2030, reaching around USD 101.9 million.

• Asia Pacific (APAC) represented 18.0% of the global market in 2024, valued at USD 27.4 million, and is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 20.3% from 2024–2030, reaching nearly USD 82.8 million by 2030.

 

Regional Insights

• USA accounted for the largest market share of 44.0% in 2024.

• Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 20.3% during 2024–2030.

 

By Type of Synthesis Method

• Enzymatic Synthesis dominated the synthesis method segment with a 43.6% share in 2024, translating to approximately USD 66.5 million out of the global USD 152.4 million market.

• In Vitro Transcription (IVT) accounted for 32.0% of the global market in 2024, equivalent to USD 48.8 million, and is projected to grow at a notable CAGR over 2024–2030, driven by automation compatibility and industrial scalability.

• Chemical & Synthetic Scaffold-Based Methods captured 24.4% of the global market in 2024, amounting to USD 37.1 million.

 

By Application Area

• Therapeutic Development led the application segment with a 38.0% share in 2024, corresponding to USD 57.9 million of the global USD 152.4 million market.

• Vaccine Development represented 24.0% of the market in 2024, valued at USD 36.6 million, and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR during 2024–2030, supported by global infectious disease preparedness initiatives.

• Diagnostics & Biomarker Discovery accounted for 18.0% of the global market in 2024, equivalent to USD 27.4 million.

• Academic & Functional Research held a 20.0% share in 2024, totaling approximately USD 30.5 million.

 

By End User

• Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies contributed the largest end-user share of 46.0% in 2024, representing around USD 70.1 million of the global market.

• Academic & Research Institutions accounted for 27.0% of the market in 2024, valued at USD 41.1 million.

• CDMOs & CROs held 17.0% of the global market in 2024, amounting to USD 25.9 million, and are anticipated to expand at a robust CAGR over 2024–2030, reflecting outsourcing acceleration in RNA production workflows.

• Diagnostic Laboratories captured 10.0% of the market in 2024, corresponding to USD 15.2 million.

 

Strategic Questions Driving the Next Phase of the Global Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market

1. What synthesis technologies, service models, and downstream applications are explicitly included within the circRNA synthesis market, and which adjacent RNA manufacturing activities are considered out of scope?

2. How does the circRNA synthesis market differ structurally from linear mRNA synthesis, plasmid DNA production, and conventional oligonucleotide manufacturing markets?

3. What is the current and projected global market size for circRNA synthesis, and how is value distributed across synthesis methods, application areas, and end-user groups?

4. How is revenue allocated between enzymatic synthesis, in vitro transcription (IVT), and chemical or scaffold-based circularization methods, and how is this mix expected to evolve through 2030?

5. Which application segments—therapeutic development, vaccine platforms, diagnostics and biomarker discovery, or academic research—represent the largest and fastest-growing revenue pools?

6. Which segments generate disproportionate profitability due to higher customization, GMP-grade production, or intellectual property intensity rather than sheer volume?

7. How does demand differ between preclinical research, translational development, and clinical-stage manufacturing, and how does this affect pricing and capacity planning?

8. How are early-stage research synthesis workflows transitioning into scalable, GMP-compliant manufacturing for therapeutic and vaccine applications?

9. What role do production scalability, yield optimization, and purification efficiency play in segment-level revenue expansion?

10. How are advances in automation, high-throughput IVT platforms, and AI-assisted sequence design shaping demand across synthesis methods?

11. What regulatory, quality-control, or stability challenges limit broader adoption of circRNA in therapeutic and vaccine programs?

12. How do pricing pressures, outsourcing trends, and CDMO competition influence revenue realization across synthesis platforms?

13. How strong is the current R&D pipeline leveraging circRNA constructs, and which emerging therapeutic areas (e.g., oncology, rare genetic diseases, immunology) are likely to create new demand segments?

14. To what extent will pipeline programs expand total circRNA manufacturing demand versus intensify competition among existing synthesis providers?

15. How are formulation innovations and delivery technologies (e.g., lipid nanoparticles, polymer carriers) enhancing circRNA stability and therapeutic viability?

16. How will intellectual property protections, proprietary circularization technologies, and platform patents shape competitive positioning within the market?

17. What role will standardized synthesis kits, modular automation systems, and decentralized production models play in expanding academic and regional access?

18. How are leading biotechnology companies, RNA platform developers, and CDMOs aligning their capabilities to capture high-growth circRNA segments?

19. Which geographic regions are expected to outperform global growth in the circRNA synthesis market, and which application or end-user segments are driving this outperformance?

20. How should manufacturers, platform developers, and investors prioritize synthesis methods, therapeutic focus areas, and regional expansion strategies to maximize long-term value creation in the circRNA ecosystem?

 

Segment-Level Insights and Market Structure

Global Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market

The Circular RNA (circRNA) Synthesis Market is organized around distinct synthesis technologies, application environments, and end-user groups that reflect differences in technical complexity, regulatory requirements, scalability, and commercial intent. Unlike traditional RNA production markets, circRNA synthesis is highly innovation-driven, with value creation tied closely to circularization efficiency, structural stability, and downstream therapeutic or diagnostic application.

Each segment contributes differently to revenue formation, margin profile, and long-term expansion potential. As circRNA moves from academic research into translational and clinical development, the balance between experimental-scale synthesis and GMP-compliant manufacturing is reshaping the competitive landscape.

 

By Type of Synthesis Method

Enzymatic Synthesis

Enzymatic circularization techniques, including ligase-mediated and ribozyme-assisted approaches, currently represent the foundational segment of the circRNA synthesis market. These methods are widely adopted due to their procedural familiarity, cost-efficiency, and adaptability across laboratory environments.

From a structural standpoint, enzymatic synthesis supports both small-scale academic research and early-stage therapeutic exploration. Its flexibility and relatively lower technical barriers make it a preferred method for proof-of-concept studies and exploratory gene modulation projects.

Commercially, this segment provides stable baseline demand, particularly from research institutions and biotech startups. However, ongoing improvements in reaction efficiency and purification workflows are gradually enhancing its suitability for larger-scale applications.

In Vitro Transcription (IVT)

In vitro transcription (IVT)-based approaches are emerging as the most strategically transformative segment within the circRNA synthesis market. These platforms enable high-throughput RNA production and are increasingly compatible with automated and scalable manufacturing systems.

IVT-based circularization methods are particularly attractive for therapeutic and vaccine development programs, where reproducibility, batch consistency, and regulatory alignment are critical. As RNA therapeutics progress toward clinical trials, IVT platforms are gaining traction due to their integration into GMP environments.

Over the forecast period, IVT is expected to reshape the production paradigm, shifting circRNA synthesis from artisanal laboratory workflows toward industrial-scale RNA manufacturing ecosystems.

Chemical and Synthetic Scaffold-Based Methods

Chemical circularization and scaffold-assisted synthesis represent an innovation-focused segment characterized by programmability and structural precision. These techniques allow greater control over circular RNA architecture, which may improve stability, translation efficiency, or target specificity.

Although currently more specialized and technically demanding, this segment holds long-term potential in advanced therapeutic engineering and next-generation RNA constructs. Scalability and reproducibility remain development priorities, but continued technological refinement may elevate chemical methods into high-value niches within precision RNA design.

From a competitive standpoint, companies investing in proprietary scaffold technologies may establish differentiated intellectual property positions in this segment.

 

By Application Area

Therapeutic Development

Therapeutic development constitutes the largest value-generating application segment within the circRNA synthesis market. circRNAs are being explored for sustained protein expression, gene modulation, and immune activation across oncology, rare genetic disorders, and immunological diseases.

The appeal of circRNA in therapeutics lies in its enhanced stability compared to linear mRNA, enabling prolonged expression without repeated dosing. As a result, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are increasingly integrating circRNA constructs into early-stage pipelines.

Revenue in this segment is closely tied to clinical progression milestones, regulatory validation, and manufacturing scalability.

Vaccine Development

Vaccine development is rapidly emerging as a high-growth frontier. circRNA-based vaccine platforms offer the potential for longer-lasting antigen expression and improved stability under storage conditions.

This segment is influenced by global interest in pandemic preparedness and next-generation infectious disease control strategies. As RNA platform technologies mature, circRNA vaccines may complement or enhance traditional mRNA approaches.

Over time, this segment is expected to attract substantial R&D funding and collaborative partnerships, particularly in regions investing heavily in domestic vaccine capabilities.

Diagnostics and Biomarker Discovery

circRNAs possess intrinsic structural stability, making them attractive candidates for biomarker applications in oncology and precision medicine. Their presence in circulating fluids positions them as potential tools for liquid biopsy and early disease detection.

This application segment is primarily research-driven but may evolve toward clinical diagnostics as validation studies accumulate. Growth in this area depends on regulatory approvals, assay standardization, and integration into molecular diagnostic platforms.

Academic and Functional Research

Academic research remains a foundational pillar of demand within the circRNA synthesis market. Universities and research institutes utilize circRNA constructs to study gene regulation, RNA-protein interactions, and cellular signaling pathways.

Although lower in per-project revenue compared to therapeutic programs, this segment contributes significantly to innovation, knowledge generation, and early discovery-stage experimentation. It also serves as an incubator for spin-off biotech ventures and translational initiatives.

 

By End User

Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies represent the dominant commercial end-user group. Their demand is driven by clinical pipeline development, intellectual property creation, and platform-based drug innovation.

These organizations prioritize scalable, reproducible, and regulatory-aligned synthesis solutions, often engaging in long-term supply or co-development partnerships. Revenue concentration is highest in this segment due to higher project complexity and larger batch requirements.

Academic and Research Institutions

Academic institutions primarily engage in early-stage exploration and mechanistic studies. Their procurement patterns emphasize flexibility, customization, and smaller production volumes.

While budgets may be grant-dependent, this segment plays a crucial role in validating new synthesis techniques and expanding the scientific foundation of circRNA biology.

CDMOs and CROs

Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) are increasingly central to market expansion. As biotech firms outsource RNA production to specialized facilities, CDMOs provide GMP-compliant synthesis and scale-up services.

This segment reflects a broader trend toward decentralized manufacturing ecosystems. As outsourcing becomes standard practice in RNA therapeutics, CDMOs are expected to capture a growing share of synthesis demand.

Diagnostic Laboratories

Diagnostic laboratories represent an emerging niche segment. Their demand is centered on biomarker validation, assay development, and translational research.

As circRNA-based diagnostic panels mature, laboratory demand may shift from experimental procurement toward standardized reagent supply models.

 

Segment Evolution Perspective

The circRNA synthesis market is transitioning from research-centric experimentation to platform-driven industrialization. Established enzymatic techniques continue to anchor current demand, particularly in academic and exploratory environments. However, scalable IVT platforms and proprietary chemical circularization technologies are gradually redefining the competitive hierarchy.

Simultaneously, application focus is shifting toward therapeutic and vaccine development, where regulatory-grade production and long-term partnerships drive revenue concentration.

As clinical pipelines mature and manufacturing ecosystems evolve, value distribution across synthesis methods, applications, and end users is expected to shift toward scalable, GMP-aligned, and technology-differentiated segments—ultimately shaping the next phase of circRNA commercialization.

 

Market Segmentation and Forecast Scope

The circRNA synthesis market can be segmented across four primary dimensions: By Type of Synthesis Method, By Application Area, By End User, and By Region . This structure provides a clear framework for understanding the evolving demand dynamics and investment hot zones between 2024 and 2030.

By Type of Synthesis Method

This dimension highlights the underlying techniques used to produce circular RNAs, which directly impact purity, scalability, and cost.

• Enzymatic Synthesis : Includes ligase-mediated and ribozyme-mediated methods. Currently dominates the market with approximately 43.6% share in 2024 , driven by simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and increasing protocol standardization.

• Chemical and Synthetic Scaffolds : These methods are gaining attention for offering programmable circularization, though they currently face scalability and reproducibility challenges.

• In Vitro Transcription (IVT) : Rapidly emerging as the fastest-growing method due to high throughput and automation compatibility in industrial settings.

As automated IVT platforms become more cost-efficient and generate high-purity circRNA constructs, adoption is projected to surge, especially in vaccine and therapeutic applications.

 

By Application Area

This segmentation reveals where circRNA constructs are being deployed, both commercially and experimentally.

• Therapeutic Development : Oncology, immunology, and rare diseases are key areas. circRNAs used for gene modulation and therapeutic delivery systems form the backbone of this sub-segment.

• Vaccine Development : A promising frontier where circRNAs offer longer-lasting antigen expression versus traditional mRNA platforms.

• Diagnostics & Biomarker Discovery : Leveraging circRNAs as stable biomarkers for liquid biopsies and precision diagnostics.

• Academic Research : Widespread use for studying gene regulation, RNA–protein interactions, and cellular function.

Among these, vaccine development is projected to be the fastest-growing application area through 2030, propelled by global interest in next-gen infectious disease control and pandemic preparedness.

 

By End User

The demand for circRNA synthesis varies significantly across institutions and commercial entities.

• Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies : Leading consumers for clinical-stage drug development and preclinical pipelines.

• Academic & Research Institutions : Primarily focused on functional studies and proof-of-concept models.

• CDMOs and CROs : Offering scalable RNA synthesis services to pharma clients, contributing to decentralized demand.

• Diagnostic Laboratories : An emerging niche, especially in oncology and neurological disorders.

Biotech firms currently dominate, but the CRO/CDMO segment is projected to grow rapidly as outsourcing becomes the norm for RNA production workflows.

 

By Region

The regional segmentation reflects market maturity, funding ecosystems, and regulatory receptivity.

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America, Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA)

We will delve into region-specific adoption drivers in Section 5.

This segmentation reflects not only the current technical spread but also future innovation corridors and commercialization opportunities. Companies targeting high-growth synthesis methods and therapeutic applications stand to gain significant early-mover advantages.

 

Market Trends and Innovation Landscape

The circRNA synthesis market is at the forefront of molecular biology innovation, with rapid advances across synthesis technology, RNA engineering, delivery platforms, and cross-sector collaborations. These trends are transforming circular RNA from a lab curiosity into a commercial therapeutic modality.

1. Innovation in Synthesis Platforms

Over the last two years, there has been a notable shift from manual ligation and ribozyme approaches toward fully automated in vitro transcription (IVT) systems . These platforms are being integrated with template engineering tools , improving yield and circularization efficiency while minimizing impurities. Companies are also exploring enzymatic synthesis kits that allow plug-and-play production of custom circRNA constructs in research settings.

According to experts in synthetic biology, “Automated circRNA workflows will slash R&D cycle times and lower unit economics for RNA therapies by 2026.”

 

2. Codon Optimization and Circularization Fidelity

Research has shifted from structure validation to performance optimization. Innovations include:

• Codon optimization algorithms to boost translational efficiency

• Use of internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) and synthetic UTRs to enhance protein expression

• Error-correcting ligases that improve circularization fidelity and reduce linear RNA contamination

These advancements are critical for enabling clinical-grade circRNA products suitable for regulatory submission and human trials.

 

3. Therapeutic Integration and Delivery Vehicles

Companies are increasingly embedding circRNAs into lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and exosome-based delivery systems , inspired by the success of mRNA vaccines. Partnerships between RNA platform developers and delivery specialists are accelerating proof-of-concept studies, especially in:

• Immuno-oncology

• Cardiovascular disease

• Neurodegenerative disorders

In preclinical models, circRNA constructs have demonstrated superior protein duration and therapeutic stability compared to linear mRNAs.

 

4. AI-Driven Design Tools

AI platforms are emerging to model secondary structures, predict RNA-protein interactions, and design synthetic circRNAs with optimized half-life and functionality. This trend is democratizing access to complex RNA biology for startups and researchers lacking deep domain expertise.

“AI-based sequence design will allow precision circRNA development in silico , drastically reducing wet-lab time and cost,” notes a genomics-focused venture partner.

 

5. Strategic Collaborations and Investments

The industry is witnessing a growing number of collaborations between:

• Biotech startups and Big Pharma (e.g., joint development of RNA-based vaccines)

• Academic labs and platform tech companies for scalable synthesis tools

• CDMOs and AI software vendors to offer end-to-end synthesis, design, and validation services

Notably, venture funding for circRNA -focused startups has increased by over 300% since 2021 (inferred), with seed-stage deals frequently surpassing $10 million.

These innovation vectors collectively indicate that circRNA synthesis is entering a phase of platform maturation, cross-functional convergence, and clinical translation — much like the mRNA landscape did in the early 2010s.

 

Competitive Intelligence and Benchmarking

The circRNA synthesis market is rapidly evolving, with competition intensifying across core synthesis technologies, platform scalability, and downstream integration into therapeutics and diagnostics. Players range from deep-tech startups specializing in RNA engineering to established CDMOs expanding into next-gen RNA production. The market’s competitive structure is defined by proprietary enzymology, platform flexibility, and partnership ecosystems.

Below are six key companies actively shaping this emerging landscape:

1. Arbor Biotechnologies

A synthetic biology innovator spun out of MIT, Arbor Biotechnologies is at the forefront of RNA-based gene editing and expression systems. The company is investing heavily in custom circRNA constructs for therapeutic delivery. Arbor’s IP portfolio around programmable nucleases and RNA regulation gives it a strong advantage in target-specific gene modulation applications .

 

2. Circular Genomics

Circular Genomics is a startup laser-focused on circRNA -based biomarkers for psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Though not a synthesis vendor per se, it plays a strategic role in defining clinical use cases that will shape demand for circRNA production platforms. It partners with CROs for in vitro synthesis and purification.

 

3. TriLink BioTechnologies (a Maravai LifeSciences company)

A leader in RNA synthesis reagents and oligonucleotides, TriLink has expanded its offerings to include custom circRNA synthesis kits and GMP-grade production capabilities . It leverages decades of experience in modified nucleotides and IVT reagents to enable pharmaceutical-grade synthesis for preclinical and clinical pipelines.

Its robust GMP infrastructure makes TriLink a preferred CDMO for circRNA developers entering IND-enabling stages.

 

4. SynHelix

SynHelix , a French biotech firm, offers enzymatic DNA synthesis and long RNA production through proprietary high-yield platforms. Its unique value proposition lies in combining circularization chemistry with scalable transcription protocols , targeting biotech firms in need of pilot-to-commercial batch synthesis.

 

5. OriCiro Genomics

Acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks , OriCiro specializes in circular DNA and RNA production without bacterial cloning , using enzymatic replication systems. Its cell-free, high-purity circularization platform is ideal for clean, contamination-free RNA templates used in vaccines and cell therapies.

 

6. GenScript

While better known for gene synthesis and CRISPR tools, GenScript has recently introduced circRNA synthesis services to its custom RNA portfolio. By leveraging its extensive customer base in APAC and the U.S., it provides scalable services for early-stage academic and biotech clients.

 

Competitive Differentiators

• TriLink and GenScript dominate the CDMO segment , with scalable production capacity and strong GMP credentials.

• Arbor Biotechnologies and SynHelix focus on platform innovation and sequence customization — appealing to therapy developers.

• OriCiro offers a cloning-free edge in producing clinical-grade RNA.

• Circular Genomics indirectly fuels synthesis demand through biomarker applications , particularly in neuroscience.

The ability to offer vertically integrated solutions — from design and synthesis to modification and delivery — is emerging as a critical success factor in this market.

 

Regional Landscape and Adoption Outlook

The adoption of circRNA synthesis technologies varies significantly across global regions, shaped by regulatory frameworks, R&D investment intensity, translational infrastructure, and biotech startup ecosystems. While North America currently leads, emerging markets in Asia and selected countries in Europe are quickly closing the gap due to increased funding and national biotech strategies.

North America

North America , especially the United States , holds the largest share of the circRNA synthesis market in 2024 — driven by strong institutional R&D, robust venture funding, and an early-adopter biotech culture.

• The U.S. NIH and DARPA have launched targeted funding for next-gen RNA platforms, including circular RNA-based therapeutics.

• Major universities and academic medical centers are pioneering translational studies on circRNA in oncology and neurology.

• Regulatory openness from the FDA towards RNA modalities — catalyzed by the success of mRNA vaccines — is fostering accelerated preclinical programs.

• CDMOs such as TriLink BioTechnologies are headquartered here, enabling rapid scale-up for U.S.-based biotechs .

The region is expected to maintain dominance through 2030, supported by a mature synthetic biology ecosystem and increasing partnerships between pharma and RNA startups.

 

Europe

Europe is the second-largest regional market , with countries like Germany , Switzerland , and France leading the charge.

• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has established early guidance for RNA therapies, providing a predictable regulatory pathway.

• EU funding frameworks such as Horizon Europe and Innovative Health Initiative are backing RNA-focused translational projects.

• Several firms — including SynHelix (France) and RNA therapeutics groups in Germany’s BioRN cluster — are commercializing circRNA synthesis workflows.

• Regional CDMOs are also collaborating with research institutes on circRNA -based vaccine platforms.

However, complex cross-country regulatory dynamics and slower tech transfer processes present minor roadblocks to commercialization speed.

 

Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific region is witnessing the fastest CAGR in the circRNA synthesis market between 2024 and 2030, driven by rapid expansion in biotech capabilities and national investments in genomics.

• China , Japan , and South Korea are key growth hubs.

• China has launched state-sponsored initiatives for RNA drug manufacturing, with companies like GenScript offering localized synthesis services.

• Japan’s AMED (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development) is co-funding circRNA trials for rare disease and oncology.

• South Korea is integrating circRNA into vaccine research, supported by its high-throughput biotech labs and export-oriented CDMOs.

Despite regulatory complexity, Asia Pacific is likely to become a major manufacturing and innovation hub for circRNA synthesis by 2030.

 

Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA)

The LAMEA region remains nascent but not without potential.

• Brazil is the most active Latin American country, with public–private research institutions exploring RNA-based diagnostics.

• In the Middle East , UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in biotech zones that may offer incentives for RNA platform development.

• Africa lags behind in adoption due to infrastructure and funding constraints.

That said, circRNA’s relevance to infectious disease control and low-cost diagnostics could eventually make this region attractive for frugal innovation pilots.

 

End-User Dynamics and Use Case

The circRNA synthesis market is characterized by a diverse end-user base, each with distinct priorities, technological capabilities, and adoption timelines. While biotech and pharmaceutical companies are the main revenue drivers, academic and service-based entities are essential to innovation and diffusion.

1. Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies

These organizations form the largest and most commercially active end-user group . They primarily use circRNA synthesis for:

• Therapeutic pipeline development in oncology, immunology, and rare diseases

• mRNA vaccine augmentation , leveraging the improved durability of circRNA

• Platform integration , combining circRNA with LNP delivery and codon optimization tools

Such firms prioritize synthesis speed, GMP-grade production, and modular design support. Many are outsourcing production to CDMOs to stay asset-light and accelerate clinical timelines.

Example drivers: Gene therapy start-ups in Boston and San Diego are incorporating circRNA into first-in-human trial candidates targeting solid tumors and autoimmune diseases.

 

2. Academic and Research Institutions

Universities and translational labs are the primary innovation engines of the circRNA market. Their focus includes:

• Basic research on RNA splicing, stability, and cellular localization

• circRNA as gene regulation tools and biomarkers

• Exploratory therapeutic research before commercial licensing

This group typically requires small-batch, high-purity synthesis kits , often sourced from vendors like TriLink or GenScript . While not the largest spenders, academic labs shape long-term demand by proving biological and translational relevance.

 

3. CDMOs and CROs

Contract service providers are emerging as critical enablers of industrial adoption. Their roles include:

• Scaling up custom circRNA constructs for biotech clients

• Offering GMP-compliant production for IND filings

• Providing design-to-delivery pipelines , especially for emerging firms without in-house capabilities

The CRO/CDMO segment is projected to grow at a CAGR above 22% , driven by growing outsourcing trends in RNA therapeutics.

 

4. Diagnostic and Precision Medicine Labs

Though still a small niche , specialized diagnostic labs are evaluating circRNA biomarkers for cancer, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases. circRNAs ’ resistance to exonuclease degradation makes them ideal for:

• Liquid biopsy panels

• High-specificity diagnostics

• Longitudinal patient monitoring

As this segment matures, demand for custom circRNA panels and analytical standards will rise.

 

Realistic Use Case Scenario

A leading tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea, collaborated with a domestic biotech firm to develop a circRNA -based vaccine platform targeting a novel respiratory virus. Using in vitro transcription followed by enzymatic circularization, the construct produced a sustained antigenic response in animal models for over 14 days — significantly longer than mRNA equivalents. The hospital’s infectious disease unit is now preparing for a Phase 1 trial in partnership with the Korean Ministry of Health.

This case demonstrates the translational value of circRNA synthesis in accelerating vaccine readiness and enhancing therapeutic durability — especially for pandemic preparedness.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (2023–2024)

The circRNA synthesis space has witnessed accelerated momentum over the past 24 months, fueled by translational breakthroughs, partnerships, and funding milestones. Below are five significant developments that highlight the market’s growing commercial traction:

• TriLink BioTechnologies announced the expansion of its GMP RNA production facility to include large-scale circRNA synthesis services for therapeutic developers (2023).

• Arbor Biotechnologies raised $215M in Series B+ funding to advance RNA-based therapies, including circRNA applications in gene modulation and immunotherapy (2023).

• Ginkgo Bioworks completed its acquisition of OriCiro Genomics , adding cloning-free circular RNA synthesis to its synthetic biology platform (2024).

• A research team at the University of Tokyo published promising preclinical results showing circRNA constructs delivering extended antigen expression in a COVID-19 vaccine prototype (2023).

• GenScript launched a new circRNA synthesis service module , including design optimization tools for therapeutic developers (2024).

 

Opportunities

• Expansion into Infectious Disease and Vaccine Pipelines: With mRNA success paving the way, circRNAs present a compelling next-generation vaccine platform due to their superior stability and longer protein expression profiles . Global public health organizations are exploring partnerships for pandemic-ready platforms .

• CDMO Market Surge: As biotech firms increasingly outsource synthesis and GMP manufacturing , contract organizations specializing in custom circRNA production stand to benefit from predictable, recurring revenue streams.

• Cross-Sector Integration with AI and Delivery Tech: Opportunities abound in pairing circRNA synthesis with AI-powered design platforms and nanoparticle delivery systems . Companies offering end-to-end solutions will capture long-term strategic value.

 

Restraints

• High Production and Purification Costs: CircRNA constructs often require multiple synthesis and validation steps , making them 20–30% more expensive than linear RNA equivalents. This limits scalability for startups or diagnostics applications.

• Regulatory Uncertainty for Novel RNA Modalities: Despite progress, no standardized regulatory framework currently exists for circRNA therapies. Developers must navigate complex, case-by-case IND pathways, which can delay commercialization.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 152.4 Million
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 412.7 Million
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 17.8% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Type of Synthesis Method, By Application Area, By End User, By Geography
By Type of Synthesis Method	Enzymatic Synthesis (Ligase-Mediated, Ribozyme-Mediated), In Vitro Transcription (IVT), Chemical and Synthetic Scaffold-Based Methods
By Application Area	Therapeutic Development, Vaccine Development, Diagnostics and Biomarker Discovery, Academic and Functional Research
By End User	Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies, Academic and Research Institutions, Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and CROs, Diagnostic Laboratories
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa
Country Scope	United States, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Brazil, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Rest of World.
Market Drivers	Expansion of RNA-based therapeutic pipelines beyond mRNA platforms, Rising investment in synthetic biology and genomic medicine, Technological improvements in circularization efficiency and scalable IVT platforms
Customization Option	Available upon request