Middle East Genome Editing Market Trends
The Middle East genome editing market size was estimated at USD 272.8 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 668.6 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.78% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is primarily driven by increasing investments in biotechnology research, rising prevalence of genetic disorders, expanding applications of CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies in agriculture and healthcare, and supportive government initiatives to advance genomic medicine. Moreover, strategic collaborations between regional research institutions and global biotech firms further accelerate regional innovation and market expansion.
Widespread Adoption of CRISPR Technologies
The Middle East is witnessing a rapid uptake of CRISPR-based genome editing technologies, driven by their precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness compared to earlier methods such as zinc finger nucleases and TALENs. This surge in adoption is closely tied to the region’s pressing healthcare needs, particularly the high prevalence of monogenic disorders like sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia, and certain metabolic syndromes. National genomics initiatives in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE generate vast genetic datasets, creating fertile ground for CRISPR-enabled research in functional genomics, target validation, and therapeutic development. Growing investment in local research infrastructure and scientist training also reduces reliance on international expertise, accelerating the translation of genome editing from lab research to clinical applications.Â
Beyond healthcare, CRISPR is finding strong demand in agriculture and industrial biotechnology across the Middle East. Governments are leveraging technology to develop crop varieties that are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced, critical for addressing food security in arid climates. Moreover, industrial biotech applications, such as microbial engineering for biofuels, bioplastics, and specialty chemicals, are emerging as new growth areas. The combination of national strategic priorities, expanding technical capabilities, and active collaborations with global biotech firms positions CRISPR as a key driver in shaping the future of genome editing adoption across the region.
National Genome Programs Boosting Regional Research
National genome programs across the Middle East are acting as powerful catalysts for the growth of the genome editing market by creating both the infrastructure and the demand for advanced genetic technologies. Countries such as Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have launched large-scale initiatives aimed at sequencing and mapping the genetic makeup of their populations. These programs are designed to identify the genetic basis of common and rare diseases prevalent in the region and establish comprehensive, sovereign genetic databases. Such datasets are invaluable for precision medicine, enabling researchers to pinpoint target genes, validate biomarkers, and develop therapies tailored to local population applications where genome editing tools like CRISPR play a central role.
The ripple effect of these initiatives extends far beyond data generation. Large-scale sequencing requires robust research facilities, specialized equipment, and highly skilled professionals, prompting significant investments in laboratories, training programs, and bioinformatics infrastructure. By integrating genome editing into national health strategies, these programs create a consistent pipeline of projects that require gene modification, functional analysis, and preclinical validation. Moreover, they foster collaborations between local research institutions and global biotech companies, facilitating the transfer of cutting-edge technologies to the region. Together, these developments position national genome programs as a foundational driver ensuring sustained demand for genome editing tools, reagents, and expertise across healthcare and agricultural biotechnology sectors.
Market Concentration & Characteristics
The increasing focus on precision medicine and population-scale genomic initiatives has fostered an environment conducive to innovation in the Middle East genome editing industry. Advanced genomic tools like CRISPR-Cas9 are being explored across academic and clinical research centers for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Numerous institutions and stakeholders actively invest in R&D to address region-specific genetic disorders, improve diagnostic accuracy, and develop personalized treatment strategies.
The growing demand for advanced genomic technologies and personalized healthcare in the Middle East has led to increased strategic interest from regional and international players. While direct mergers and acquisitions in genome editing remain limited, there is a noticeable rise in joint ventures, collaborations, and regional expansion initiatives. Several healthcare and biotech entities are partnering to build genomic infrastructure, share technological capabilities, and localize precision medicine solutions. For instance, in June 2023, CENTOGENE entered into a joint venture with Lifera, a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, to deliver multi-omic testing and precision diagnostics across the Kingdom.
The expansion of genome editing technologies in the Middle East genome editing industry is increasingly influenced by evolving regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with ethical and safety considerations. Governments across the region are gradually introducing guidelines to oversee genetic research, clinical applications, and cross-border data sharing. These regulations shape how institutions approach genome editing, particularly in gene therapy, diagnostics, and agricultural biotechnology.
The rising interest in genomics and precision healthcare across the Middle East has prompted several global and regional players to expand their regional product offerings. Companies are introducing advanced genome editing tools, reagents, and diagnostic platforms to meet growing research and clinical demand. These expansions aim to localize access to cutting-edge technologies and support ongoing national genomics programs.
The Middle East genome editing market is growing as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar invest in precision medicine and biotech innovation. Rising demand for personalized therapies, increased focus on genetic disorder management, and global research collaborations are accelerating the adoption of CRISPR and related technologies, positioning the region as a key emerging hub.
Technology Insights
The CRISPR/Cas9 segment dominated the Middle East genome editing industry with the largest revenue share of 46.83% in 2024. The product’s growing adoption is driven by its high precision, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness compared to other gene-editing technologies. Academic institutions, biotech companies, and regional research centers are increasingly relying on CRISPR-based platforms for disease modeling, functional genomics, and therapeutic development. Technology has positioned it as the preferred choice for addressing region-specific genetic disorders and advancing personalized medicine initiatives. For instance, in March 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE, launched CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, marking its first national application following regulatory approval for patients aged 12 and above.
The Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFN) segment is expected to register a significant CAGR over the forecast period, driven by its ability to deliver highly specific gene edits with minimal off-target effects. As interest grows in alternative genome editing technologies beyond CRISPR, research institutions and therapeutic developers in the Middle East are exploring ZFNs for applications in gene therapy, particularly for rare and inherited disorders. Advancements in delivery systems and growing support for clinical research are further accelerating the adoption of ZFN-based approaches in the region.
Delivery Method Insights
The in vivo segment held the largest revenue share of the Middle East genome editing market and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth is driven by the growing demand for direct gene editing within living organisms to treat genetic disorders at the source. This approach offers the potential for one-time, curative treatments, making it particularly attractive for conditions with high prevalence in the region, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Research institutions and biotech firms across the Middle East increasingly focus on in vivo gene editing platforms to accelerate therapeutic development and enhance clinical outcomes.
The ex vivo segment is expected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, due to its controlled editing environment and reduced risk of unintended genetic modifications. This method, which involves editing cells outside the body before reintroducing them into the patient, is gaining traction across the Middle East for applications in cell-based therapies, including CAR-T and stem cell treatments. The growing presence of specialized laboratories and increasing investment in personalized medicine further drive the adoption of ex vivo genome editing techniques in the region.
Application Insights
The genetic engineering segment is expected to hold the largest revenue share of the Middle East genome editing market in 2024, driven by its broad applications across therapeutic development, functional genomics, and agricultural biotechnology. In the Middle East, increasing investments in healthcare innovation and food security have accelerated the adoption of genetic engineering techniques. Institutions leverage these tools to develop targeted therapies for hereditary diseases and engineer crops with enhanced resilience to arid climates. This reflects the segment’s growing strategic importance in the medical and agricultural sectors.
The clinical applications segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period, driven by the increasing prevalence of genetic disorders and the region’s growing focus on personalized medicine. Genome editing technologies are being rapidly adopted in clinical research and therapeutic development, particularly for treating inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Government-led genome initiatives and the expansion of clinical trial infrastructure across countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia further support the integration of genome editing into mainstream clinical practice.
Mode Insights
The contract segment dominated the Middle East genome editing industry in 2024, driven by the rising demand for outsourced research, development, and manufacturing services. Academic institutions, biotech startups, and healthcare providers across the Middle East increasingly rely on contract research organizations (CROs) and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) to access advanced genome editing technologies without requiring extensive in-house infrastructure. This trend is fueled by the need for cost efficiency, faster project turnaround, and access to specialized expertise in areas such as CRISPR optimization, cell line development, and therapeutic validation.
The in-house segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, driven by the increasing establishment of dedicated genome editing facilities within academic, clinical, and biopharmaceutical institutions. Organizations across the Middle East are investing in building internal capabilities to gain greater control over research workflows, protect intellectual property, and accelerate innovation cycles. This shift is particularly evident in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where national strategies prioritize biotechnology self-sufficiency and the development of localized expertise in genomic sciences.
End Use Insights
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies segment dominated the Middle East’s genome editing market in 2024, holding the largest revenue share of 50.36%, driven by increased investment in R&D, a surge in partnerships with academic institutions, and the growing demand for targeted therapies. These companies leverage genome editing tools to accelerate drug discovery, develop gene-based treatments, and address region-specific health challenges. Supportive government initiatives and the expansion of biotech hubs in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have further strengthened the role of private sector players in advancing genomic innovation across the region.
The academic and government research institutes segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast period, driven by increased public funding, national genome initiatives, and a rising focus on building regional scientific capacity. Countries across the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are investing heavily in research infrastructure to advance genomic science and precision medicine. These institutions are pivotal in driving foundational research, developing population-specific genomic databases, and exploring genome editing technologies for therapeutic and agricultural applications.
Country Insights
Kuwait Genome Editing Market Trends
Kuwait’s genome editing landscape is gradually evolving, supported by the country’s broader efforts to strengthen biomedical research and healthcare innovation. Government-backed initiatives through the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and partnerships with universities in the GCC and internationally are creating a foundation for precision medicine and genetic research. While large-scale clinical applications of genome editing are still early, academic and hospital-based research programs are exploring CRISPR and other gene-editing tools for applications in hereditary disease studies, oncology, and agricultural biotechnology. Kuwait’s strong healthcare infrastructure and regional collaborations position it to benefit from emerging genome editing advancements, particularly as national policies increasingly prioritize research capacity-building and technology transfer.
UAE Genome Editing Market Trends
The UAE is growing rapidly in the Middle East genome editing market, driven by large-scale national projects and high-profile international collaborations. The Emirati Genome Programme, led by M42 and G42 Healthcare, is building one of the world’s most comprehensive population-specific genomic databases, providing a foundation for precision medicine and CRISPR-based research. Local universities, including Khalifa University and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, actively engage in CRISPR-Cas research, exploring applications from hereditary disease treatment to agricultural biotechnology. These initiatives are supported by a national biotechnology strategy emphasizing infrastructure development, talent training, and ethical governance, positioning the UAE as a global hub for advanced genome editing innovation.
Key Middle East Genome Editing Company Insights
Global leaders and emerging innovators shape the Middle East genome editing industry, with established players maintaining a strong foothold through robust product portfolios, advanced technologies, and strategic partnerships. Industry leaders such as Merck KGaA; Takara Bio Inc.; Revvity, Inc.; Danaher Corporation; GenScript; New England Biolabs; Lonza; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Charles River Laboratories; and Eurofins Scientific leverage their expertise in CRISPR-Cas systems, TALENs, and other genome engineering tools to cater to the growing demand from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic sectors across the region.
Several companies are deepening their Middle East presence by collaborating with local research institutions, supplying clinical-grade genome editing reagents, and offering contract research and manufacturing services that address region-specific needs, particularly in genetic disease research, oncology, and agricultural biotechnology. Their focus on high-precision editing platforms, scalability, and regulatory compliance ensures competitiveness in a market that increasingly values reproducibility, safety, and therapeutic applicability.
The competitive landscape is marked by ongoing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and targeted investments in R&D to improve editing accuracy, delivery mechanisms, and off-target effect minimization. As the demand for precision medicine, advanced diagnostics, and sustainable biotechnology solutions rises, companies that combine cutting-edge genome editing capabilities with accessible and ethically governed solutions are positioned to define the next phase of market growth in the Middle East. These strategic moves will be essential in aligning the industry with broader regional healthcare and innovation goals.
Key Middle East Genome Editing Companies:
Merck KGaA
Takara Bio Inc.
Revvity, Inc.
Danaher Corporation
GenScript
New England Biolabs
Lonza
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
Charles River Laboratories
Eurofins Scientific
Recent Developments
In March 2025, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, in collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, introduced CASGEVY, the UAE’s first CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, authorized for patients aged 12 and above.
In June 2023, CENTOGENE partnered with Lifera, a Public Investment Fund-owned biopharma company in Saudi Arabia, to establish a joint venture with a USD 30 million investment, aimed at advancing multi-omic testing and precision diagnostics across the Kingdom.
Middle East Genome Editing Market Report Scope
Report Attribute
Details
Market size value in 2025
USD 317.1 million
Revenue forecast in 2033
USD 668.6 million
Growth rate
CAGR of 9.78% from 2025 to 2033
Base year for estimation
2024
Historical data
2021 – 2023
Forecast period
2025 – 2033
Quantitative units
Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2033
Report coverage
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends
Segments covered
Technology, delivery method, application, mode, end use, country
Country scope
Saudi Arabia; UAE; Kuwait; Qatar; Oman; Rest of ME
Key companies profiled
Merck KGaA; Takara Bio Inc.; Revvity, Inc.; Danaher Corporation; GenScript; New England Biolabs; Lonza; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Charles River Laboratories; Eurofins Scientific
Customization scope
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analyst’s working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.
Middle East Genome Editing Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this report, Grand View Research has segmented the Middle East genome editing market report based on technology, delivery method, application, mode, end use, and country:
Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
(CRISPR)/Cas9
TALENs/MegaTALs
ZFN
Meganucleases
Others
Delivery Method Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Genetic Engineering
Clinical Applications
Diagnostics Development
Therapy Development
Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
Academic and government research institutes
Contract research organizations
Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Kuwait
Qatar
Oman
Rest of Middle East
Frequently Asked Questions About This Report
b. The Middle East genome editing market size was estimated at USD 272.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 317.1 million in 2025.
b. The Middle East genome editing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.78% from 2025 to 2033 to reach USD 668.6 million by 2033.
b. The CRISPR/Cas9 segment dominated the Middle East genome editing market with a share of 46.83% in 2024. This is attributable to CRISPR/Cas9’s high precision, efficiency, ease of use, and widespread adoption in research and therapeutic applications across the region.
b. Some key players operating in the Middle East genome editing market include Merck KGaA; Takara Bio Inc.; Revvity, Inc.; Danaher Corporation; GenScript; New England Biolabs; Lonza; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Charles River Laboratories; Eurofins Scientific.
b. Key factors driving the Middle East genome editing market growth include rising investment in biotechnology, increasing prevalence of genetic disorders, growing focus on precision medicine, supportive government initiatives, and expansion of research collaborations and partnerships.