HERG Screening Market Size:
HERG screening market size is estimated to reach over USD 4,184.44 Million by 2032 from a value of USD 1,700.24 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 12.0% from 2025 to 2032.
HERG Screening Market Scope & Overview:
HERG screening is a process which refers to the evaluation of drug's potential to interact with human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) potassium channel. It is conducted to identify compounds that blocks the HERG channel, which leads to QT interval prolongation resulting in arrhythmias. There are various types of HERG screening such as gene KCNH2, mutant KCNH2, and others. It is used in various applications such as antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic, antibiotic drugs and others. HERG screening is essential part of drug development to ensure cardiac safety preventing cardiotoxicity in the drugs. The growing shifts towards personalized medicine and advancements in precision drug developments has further driven the demand in the HERG screening market.
HERG Screening Market Dynamics - (DRO) :
Key Drivers:
Rising Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation is driving HERG Screening Market Growth
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular and rapid heartbeat which leads to stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular complications. HERG screening is widely used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation as it ensures the development of safe and effective antiarrhythmic drugs without any cardiotoxicity. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is rising due to several factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking further driving the market.
- In 2021, according to National Institute of Health, worldwide prevalence of atrial fibrillation is 37,574 million cases. HERG screening is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation to identify potential cardiotoxic effects in antiarrhythmic drugs intended for atrial fibrillations which minimizes the risks of QT interval prolongation.
Thus, rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation is leading to HERG screening market demand supported by the development of cardiotoxicity free antiarrhythmic drugs.
Growing Incorporation of HERG Screening in the treatment of Epilepsy is creating HERG Screening Market Demand
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. HERG screening is used in the development of drugs for epilepsy by evaluating potential cardiotoxicity. The cases of epilepsy are rising due to aging population, head injuries, and genetic factors, further driving the expansion in the market.
- In 2022, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.9 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy in the United States. HERG screening helps to identify QT prolongation in antiepileptic drugs by assessing how a compound interacts with HERG potassium channel.
Thus, growing adoption of HERG screening in the development of antiepileptic drugs is leading to HERG screening market expansion by reducing risks associated with QT prolongation.
Key Restraints:
Stringent Rules and Regulations are constraining HERG Screening Market Growth
Stringent rules and regulations are constraining the market due to differing requirements for HERG screening across various regulatory bodies like United States Food & Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and others. Each agency has its own set of guidelines regarding the necessity, methodology, and acceptable results of HERG screening during drug development. These discrepancies in the guidelines increase costs for pharmaceutical companies operating in multiple regions, as they must comply with varying standards for each market. Additionally, regulatory changes or updates in guidelines result in increased cost in the drug development.
Overall, stringent rules and regulations are constraining the HERG screening market expansion due to increased cost and different guidelines in each region.
Future Opportunities :
Development of Advanced HERG Assay is expected to create HERG Screening Market Opportunities
HERG assay is used to evaluate a compound potential to block the HERG potassium channel, which plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization and arrhythmia prevention. This assay plays an important role in HERG screening which measures whether a drug blocks or interferes with the HERG channel.
- In 2024, Mediford launched Best Practice HERG assay in compliance with good laboratory practice. It improves the detection and subtle HERG channel interactions, reducing false positives and negatives in the HERG screening.
Thus, development of advanced HERG assay is expected to create HERG screening market opportunities, by improving sensitivity, specificity and throughput screening.
HERG Screening Market Segmental Analysis :
By Type:
By type, the market is divided into gene KCNH2, mutant KCNH2, and others.
Trends in Type:
- According to HERG screening market trends, gene KCNH2 screening is useful to evaluate the interaction of drug candidates with the HERG potassium channel.
- Mutant KCNH2 screening is used to predict the impact of compounds in mutated HERG channel in turn helps in prediction of genetic variants as per market trends.
The gene KCNH2 accounted for the largest market share in the year 2024.
- Gene KCNH2 encodes a potassium ion channel which is critical for cardiac repolarization.
- Mutation or dysfunction n this gene can cause Long QT syndrome, a condition associated irregular heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death.
- HERG screening focuses on evaluating the interaction of drug candidates with the HERG potassium channel to prevent cardiotoxicity particularly in torsades de pointes.
- The gene KCNH2 focused HERG screening is also used in the development of anticancer drugs for leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer and others.
- Further, rising prevalence of leukemia is contributing to the demand for this type of screening.
- In 2023, according to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 59,610 new cases of leukemia were diagnosed in the United States. The gene KCNH2 based HERG screening is vital for drugs used in the treatment of leukemia to prevent QT prolongation.
- Thus, gene KCNH2 screening is dominating in the market due to rising cancer cases and preference towards cardiotoxicity free drugs.
The mutant KCNH2 is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
- Mutations in KCNH2, which encodes the HERG channel, alter its function and leads to congenital QT syndrome, a condition associated with life threatening arrhythmias.
- Mutant KCNH2 screening specifically assesses the impact of compounds on mutated HERG channel to predict their behaviors in individuals with genetic variants.
- This specialized screening type is important as it addresses the growing focus on personalized medicine and precision drug development.
- This enables researchers to identify drugs that are safe for individuals with KCNH2 mutations.
- Thus, adoption of mutant KCNH2 is growing in the market due to growing focus on personalized medicine and precision drug research & developments.
By Ion Channel:
By ion channel, the market is divided into voltage gated, ligand gated, and others.
Trends in Ion Channel:
- As per HERG screening market trends, voltage gated ion channel is widely used due to advances in automated patch-clamp systems and high throughput screening technologies.
- Ligand gated ion channels are useful in the drug discovery for neurological disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
The voltage gated accounted for the largest market share in the year 2024.
- Voltage gated ion channel is a specialized transmission protein that opens or closes in response to changes in membrane potential.
- Voltage gated ion channel allows selective ion to flow essential for processes like electrical signaling in neurons and muscle contraction.
- Voltage gated ion channels are widely studied in drug discovery and safety testing due to their role in excitable tissues.
- Advances in automated patch-clamp systems and high throughput screening technologies have increased the accuracy of voltage gated ion channel HERG screening.
- Thus, voltage gated ion channel is dominating in the market due to their role in the drug discovery and safety drug testing.
The ligand gated is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
- Ligand gated ion channel is a transmembrane protein that open or close in response to the binding of a specific chemical messenger, such as neuro transmitter allowing ions to pass through the membrane.
- Advances in electrophysiology systems and fluorescence-based assays have rapidly improved the speed and accuracy of ligand gated ion channels HERG screening.
- Use of ligand gated ion channels screening is growing in drug discovery, particularly for neurological and psychiatric disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.
- Further rising prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is contributing to the growth of ligand gated ion channel screening.
- For instance, in 2022, according to Parkinson’s Foundation, 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the United States. The HERG screening is used in the development of drugs for Parkinson’s disease to avoid cardiotoxicity.
- Hence, ligand gated ion channel is widely used in the market due to growing prevalence of neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
By Application:
By application, the market is divided into antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic, antibiotic, and others.
Trends in Application:
- As per market trends, HERG screening is essential in antiarrhythmic medications to avoid QT prolongation.
- Incorporation of HERG screening is growing in antipsychotic drugs for the cardiac safety as per market trends.
The antiarrhythmic accounted for the largest market of 45.22% share in the year 2024.
- Antiarrhythmic are a class of drugs that are used to suppress abnormally fast or irregular rhythms of the heart.
- The HERG screening is widely used in the development of antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia to prevent cardiotoxicity.
- Further, increasing prevalence of atrial flutter globally is contributing to the market demand in antiarrhythmic application.
- In 2021, according to research article published in Europace journal, atrial flutter affected 52.55 million individuals worldwide. The HERG screening is used in the treatment of atrial flutter for development of safe and effective antiarrhythmic drug.
- Thus, HERG screening is widely used in the antiarrhythmic treatment due to development of effective and cardiotoxicity free drugs.
The antipsychotic is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
- Antipsychotic are medications used to treat psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others by managing symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and mood swings.
- The adoption of HERG screening is growing in the development of these medications to avoid the risk of QT prolongation.
- As antipsychotic medications are typically associated with cardiac side effects, HERG screening helps to identify and eliminate potentially harmful compounds early in the development process.
- The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders and need for safer antipsychotic medications is further fueling the market proliferation.
- Hence, adoption of HERG screening is growing in the antipsychotic medications due to demand for safe and effective treatment in psychiatric conditions.
Regional Analysis:
The regional segment includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.
In 2024, North America accounted for the highest market share at 39.6% and was valued at USD 673.24 Million and is expected to reach USD 1,512.56 Million in 2032. In North America, United States accounted for the highest market share of 72.02% during the base year of 2024. The HERG screening market share of North America is significant due to well-established pharmaceutical industry and rising government investment in drug research and developments. Further rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders like Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson’s disease is driving the market in the region.
- In 2024, according to Alzheimer's Association, 6.9 million individuals are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the United States. The HERG screening is widely sued in the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease to avoid QT prolongation in patients.
Therefore, North America is leading in the market due to rising mental health disorders and growing preference towards safer cardiac drugs as per market analysis.
Asia-pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 14.1% over the forecast period during 2025-2032. As per HERG screening market analysis, the Asia-pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the market fueled by expanding pharmaceutical market and growing preference towards safe and effective drug formulations. Countries like China, India and Japan are investing considerably in drug discovery and safe drug formulations. With rising prevalence of neurological disorders in the region, companies are investing in HERG screening for development of cardiotoxicity free drugs. Hence, HERG screening market share of Asia-Pacific is expanding due to rising economic developments and improved pharmaceutical infrastructure as per market analysis.
According to HERG screening market analysis, Europe region is experiencing steady growth in the market driven by high prevalence of arrhythmia patients and government support in drug developments. Research and developments in the region are focused on improving drug formulations and reducing cardiac side effects associated with use of antiarrhythmic and antipsychotic drugs. The pharmaceutical companies in the region are widely adopting HERG screening for safe drug developments to avoid cardiotoxicity.
The Middle East and Africa region is experiencing gradual growth in the market, driven by the increasing prevalence of neurological patients. Countries like Dubai, South Africa, UAE and Saudi Arabia are major contributors in the market due to improved healthcare systems. The government in this region is also investing in research and development of safer drug formulations further driving the market in the region as per analysis.
As per market analysis, Latin America is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing investments in healthcare and pharmaceutical research. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are major contributors due to advancement in drug development and rising awareness about safe cardiac medications. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders is driving the demand of HERG screening in the development of safer drugs to avoid cardiotoxicity.
Top Key Players and Market Share Insights:
The HERG screening industry is highly competitive with major players providing products to the national and international markets. Key players are adopting several strategies in research and development (R&D) and product innovation to hold a strong position in the global HERG screening market. Key players in the HERG screening industry include-
- Charles River Laboratories (United States)
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (United States)
- BSYS GmbH (Switzerland)
- Caliper (United States)
- Aureus Sciences (France)
- Creative Biolabs. (United States)
- Aurora Biomed Inc. (Canada)
- AstraZeneca (United Kingdom)
- ChanTest Corporation (United States)
- AVIVA Biosciences (United States)
Recent Industry Developments :
Product Launches:
- In 2023, Metrion Biosciences launched HERG screening service. It is available with Good Laboratory Practice compliance which is essential in drug formulations with cardiac safety.
HERG Screening Market Report Insights :
| Report Attributes | Report Details |
| Study Timeline | 2019-2032 |
| Market Size in 2032 | USD 4,184.44 Million |
| CAGR (2025-2032) | 12.0% |
| By Type |
|
| By Ion Channel |
|
| By Application |
|
| By Region |
|
| Key Players |
|
| North America | U.S. Canada Mexico |
| Europe | U.K. Germany France Spain Italy Russia Benelux Rest of Europe |
| APAC | China South Korea Japan India Australia ASEAN Rest of Asia-Pacific |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC Turkey South Africa Rest of MEA |
| LATAM | Brazil Argentina Chile Rest of LATAM |
| Report Coverage |
|
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the HERG screening market? +
In 2024, the HERG screening market is USD 1,700.24 million.
Which is the fastest-growing region in the HERG screening market? +
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the HERG screening market.
What specific segmentation details are covered in the HERG screening market? +
Type, ion-channel, and application are covered in the HERG screening market.
Who are the major players in the HERG screening market? +
Charles River Laboratories (United States), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (United States), and Creative Biolabs (United States) are some of the major players in the market.
