Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market was valued at $442.01 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a market size of $769.02 billion by 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2%.

Point-of-care malaria testing provides a quick diagnosis close to the patient, which is important in areas without state-of-the-art facilities. The gold standard, microscopy, is slower and needs training to identify parasite species. While rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are more convenient, quicker, and suitable for usage in distant locations, they might not be as sensitive or able to identify all types of parasites.

Key Market Insights:

High malaria prevalence, especially in emerging nations, fuels growth.

Because they are the most affordable, user-friendly, and can produce findings in 15–30 minutes, RDTs have the biggest market share. RDTs made up the majority, at almost USD 432.3 million.

RDTs are useful, however the market is realising that their sensitivity and ability to distinguish between species are limited. Increasing the use of molecular diagnostics, which have better accuracy and are particularly useful in drug-resistant areas with low parasite counts.

Making sure tests are accessible and affordable in environments with limited resources is vital. Large-scale manufacture and distribution of prequalified RDTs are encouraged by initiatives from the WHO and Unitaid to target disadvantaged people.
Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Drivers:

Growing Rates of Malaria and the Urgent Need for Quick Diagnostics in Developing Areas

Public health is still greatly impacted by the increased prevalence of malaria, especially in poorer nations. Malaria is endemic in more than 85 countries and causes millions of instances of reported cases every year. It is a persistent menace. Because of this high incidence, quick and easy access to diagnostic tools is essential for managing the illness. Conventional diagnostic techniques frequently depend on laboratory microscopy, which needs trained personnel and can be time-consuming. This can seriously postpone identification and treatment in isolated locations with inadequate healthcare facilities. Point-of-care testing presents a revolutionary approach. Healthcare professionals may take immediate action by enabling quick diagnosis near the patient, frequently in under 30 minutes. By enabling early treatment, this not only enhances patient outcomes but also helps stop the spread of the infection by identifying affected persons sooner.  To stop the spread of malaria inside communities and interrupt the cycle of transmission, a quicker turnaround time is necessary. Accessible and quick point-of-care diagnostics are therefore even more essential on the front lines of malaria control efforts as the disease becomes more severe.

A Lifesaver in Areas Where Access to Conventional Diagnostic Facilities Is Limited

In high-burden areas, the battle against malaria frequently encounters a logistical roadblock: restricted access to conventional diagnostic facilities. Sophisticated labs with experienced technicians and microscopes may be few or nonexistent in these locations, particularly in isolated communities. The time lag between a patient's diagnosis and treatment can be a major obstacle to successfully controlling malaria. Point-of-care (POC) tests are a potent substitute that closes this gap and permits the start of diagnosis and treatment at the point of care, which may be a neighbourhood clinic or even a mobile health outreach programme. These tests are perfect for use in environments with limited resources since they need very little in the way of equipment and knowledge. When a healthcare professional has a POC test, they may diagnose patients quickly—often in a matter of minutes—and start treating patients right away, cutting down on the time it takes to ship samples to distant labs.

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Restraints and Challenges:

Point-of-care testing for malaria parasites holds great potential, but the industry is not without obstacles. Test use is hampered by low awareness and inadequate healthcare facilities in high-burden locations. While affordability is a priority, it can be difficult to ensure programme sustainability through supply chain management, cost control, and training. Existing tests have limitations; for example, RDTs may fail to detect low parasite counts or have difficulty distinguishing between various Plasmodium species. Distribution issues arise for several tests due to cold chain reliance. To keep up with the growth of drug-resistant malaria, new diagnostics are required. Improved assays that overcome these drawbacks are being developed by researchers to provide more precise, useful, and accessible malaria diagnosis.

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Opportunities:

Point-of-care testing for malaria parasites holds great potential, but the industry is not without obstacles. Test use is hampered by low awareness and inadequate healthcare facilities in high-burden locations. While affordability is a priority, it can be difficult to ensure programme sustainability through supply chain management, cost control, and training. Existing tests have limitations; for example, RDTs may fail to detect low parasite counts or have difficulty distinguishing between various Plasmodium species. Distribution issues arise for several tests due to cold chain reliance. To keep up with the growth of drug-resistant malaria, new diagnostics are required. Improved assays that overcome these drawbacks are being developed by researchers to provide more precise, useful, and accessible malaria diagnosis.

POINT OF CARE TESTING FOR MALARIA PARASITES MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Segmentation: By Test Type

• Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)

• Microscopy

• Emerging Technologies

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are the industry leader in the point-of-care testing market for malaria parasites worldwide because of its low cost, little training requirements for healthcare personnel, quick turnaround time (30 minutes), and general accessibility in environments with limited resources. While there are benefits to microscopy and developing technologies, they are surpassed by the usefulness and broad use of RDTs in the battle against malaria.

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Segmentation: By End User

• Hospitals and Clinics

• Community Health Workers

• Home Testing

Due to their established infrastructure, high patient traffic, and requirement for extra testing in difficult cases, hospitals and clinics are probably the greatest market for point-of-care malaria testing; nevertheless, community health workers are becoming more and more prevalent in rural regions.

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Segmentation: By Product Features

• Sensitivity

• Species Differentiation

• Storage Requirements

The point-of-care testing market for malaria does not yet have a single dominating sector based on product attributes, although all the segments are growing. Heat-stable tests provide accessibility in resource-constrained environments, multi-species differentiation enables focused therapies, and high-sensitivity testing are essential for early diagnosis. The market prioritises developments in all these areas for more adaptable and effective POC testing, as the most significant feature depends on elements like infrastructure and disease load.

Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America 

• Asia-Pacific 

• Europe 

• South America 

• Middle East and Africa

Due to its large proportion of worldwide malaria cases, poor healthcare infrastructure in many regions, expanding eradication programmes, and emphasis on accessible diagnostics like RDTs, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) leads the point-of-care testing market for malaria parasites. Although there is minimal presence in other areas, MEA is the main driver of this market due to its high illness burden and limited resources.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market:

The market for malaria point-of-care testing has been negatively and positively impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. Challenges included shattered supply chains, redirected resources, and possible declines in testing rates because of pandemic worries. The bright side is that people are now more cognizant of the significance of timely testing and diagnoses. Technological developments spurred by the COVID-19 reaction might lead to improved POC testing for malaria. Additionally, data from malaria tests may be integrated into disease monitoring systems by utilising the lessons learned from public health activities during COVID-19. A greater emphasis on diagnosis and innovation may influence the long-term future for the malaria POC testing business, despite the potentially disruptive short-term effects.

Recent Trends and Developments in the Global Point of care testing for malaria parasites Market:

Innovation is booming in the point-of-care malaria parasite diagnostic sector worldwide. Miniscule parasite levels may be found using new, incredibly sensitive assays, which is essential for early diagnosis and stopping transmission. Modern multi-species RDTs distinguish between distinct forms of malaria, enabling tailored therapy and perhaps preventing drug resistance. The use of heat-stable technology expands test accessibility in resource-constrained places by doing away with the requirement for cold chain storage. Furthermore, the integration of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics with digital platforms facilitates informed resource allocation and real-time illness monitoring. In places where malaria is a problem, long-term access to these life-saving diagnostics is ensured by an increasing emphasis on programme sustainability and cost. These developments put point-of-care testing in a position to become the gold standard for diagnosing malaria, which will ultimately aid in the disease's worldwide eradication efforts.

Key Players:

1. Abbott

2. Access Bio Inc

3. Adaltis

4. Premier Medical Corporation