MAR 2018
The global sample preparation market has been estimated at around USD 3500 million in 2017 and it is expected to register a CAGR of approximately 7% during the forecast period, 2018 to 2023. North America accounted for the largest market, followed by Europe in the sample preparation market, and Asia-Pacific was estimated to register the highest growth through the forecast period, 2018-2023.
Advanced technologies have reduced the number of blood vials necessary to perform blood testing. Now, hundreds of different tests can be performed from a single drop. The technology to facilitate sample collection from a central line/catheter typically involves an access device connected to the sample holder. This makes it possible to collect a sample without the use of a needle. Tasso Inc. has launched HemoLink, a painless blood collection product, for blood sampling that can be employed in broad range of diagnostic applications. There are recent technology advances in needle-safety; for e.g. needles that are manually activated after insertion into the vein. Most recent among these allow passive activation of the safety feature as the blood collection is initiated. Israel’s PixCell Medical Technologies Ltd has designed a blood count analyzer, Hemoscreen CBC for point-of-care usage, which has obtained CE mark registration of Europe. Abbott Laboratories has generated rapid growth in its small but rapidly expanding point-of-care diagnostics business, capitalizing on the desire to make diagnostics tests more accessible. Thermo Fisher has also been building its presence in the point-of-care space. Theranos CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, stated that the company has launched a blood testing platform where the device uses a finger stick to draw a microliter sample of blood into a disposable cartridge, which is loaded into the device’s “reader” for analysis; results are sent wirelessly from the reader to a secure database, from where they go online for a patient or patient's physician to access. Besides, other factors, increase in R&D spending in the areas of life sciences and widespread adoption of automated systems will contribute to the growth of this market.
There are capital requirements for establishing advanced technologies, such as automated testing platforms. Finance for new equipment, technology license, and specialized training are the other requirements. However, acceptance of advanced technology has had profound effects on the economies of developing countries, majorly through reduced national healthcare costs. It is estimated that, 40%–50% increase in annual healthcare costs can be traced to new technologies or the intensified use of old ones. At the same time, the cost of these products has become a barrier for the growth of this market. Although there are reimbursements available for many of the diagnostic tests done, they are not affordable by the entire population. Sample preparation instruments and systems are generally expensive. The instrument cost could go as high as hundreds of thousands of US dollars depending on the technology it uses. The least expensive extraction systems available cost a few thousands of US dollars. In addition, assay reagent kits, filters, and other consumables are going to add a few hundreds of dollars more to the overall expense. The expensive instrument and assay kits are hindering the growth of the market. However, Medicaid, a program administered by individual states, but involving federal funding, is the source of medical coverage for many low-income patients in the United States. This method of reimbursement is crucial for many laboratories. The potential Medicaid reimbursement varies for services from state to state. However, these kinds of programs are offered only in developed nations. Therefore, the high cost of equipment will still act as a barrier for the market in emerging nations.
North America accounted for the largest market, with about 46% of the global market share. In Canada, the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) gets a provincial funding of USD 1 billion to run donor clinics, to test and distribute blood products. It is anticipated that the emerging markets with increasing population and high healthcare expenditure will have market potential.
Major Players: Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Danaher Corporation, Illumina, Merck Millipore, Perkinelmer, Qiagen, Roche, Sigma-Aldrich, Life Technologies amongst others.
