Influenza, a leading cause of mortality, resulted in approximately 7 million cases in the US alone in 2019. Seasonal flu remains a serious condition, often requiring hospitalization for many patients. This underpins the need for rapid critical diagnosis, driving the demand for rapid influenza diagnostic testing (RIDT) globally. The concerns are particularly severe for high-risk populations such as those with diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and other chronic ailments. The consistently rising use of rapid diagnostic tests as a means of point-of-care testing forms a strong base for accelerating the adoption of RIDT, which is strongly driven by the rapid and accurate results it provides.
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Influenza A and B: Major Contributors to RIDT Demand
Influenza A, highly communicable and responsible for multiple epidemic outbreaks, remains the top demand generator for rapid influenza diagnostic testing worldwide. Past epidemics, popularly referred to as avian flu or bird flu, have led to thousands of deaths annually. On the other hand, the prevalence of influenza B is also rising, with humans being the most common hosts. Consequently, the demand for RIDT for influenza B is set to climb in the near future.
COVID-19 Impact on RIDT Market Expansion
The widening commercial availability of improved diagnostic measures has been advantageous for the market. Rapid influenza diagnostic testing is technically a molecular assay that works faster than usual, delivering high accuracy, high sensitivity, and high specificity. The ease of use, rapid outcome, and high accuracy and specificity of the results collectively continue to make RIDT a reliable method for influenza diagnostics. This accounts for its growing usage in clinical decision-making in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Hospitals are expected to remain the key consumer segment, while diagnostic centers and laboratory testing units will also register noteworthy adoption in the near future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has recently accelerated the situation. The rate of flu testing has rocketed across the US, with patients often confusing flu symptoms with COVID-19. While both viruses have similar initial symptoms, they differ in terms of their serial intervals and associated mortality rates. Alongside COVID-19 diagnostics, rapid influenza diagnostic testing has also surged amid the pandemic.
Government and Non-Governmental Entities Boosting Research
Various research funds have been favoring market growth through novel influenza research outcomes that potentially aid in the discovery of flu diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and therapeutics. Internationally recognized entities like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) often extend support to such research studies. Projects like the Universal Influenza Vaccine Initiative, with strong governmental support, are expected to be pivotal for the build-up of the rapid influenza diagnostic testing market. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has its own set of stringent regulations for all rapid antigen influenza tests.
Paediatrics: A Lucrative Segment for RIDT Providers
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests are likely to gain traction within the paediatrics segment during the assessment period. A significant surge in influenza prevalence among children, which critically demands serious severity control measures, is driving the growth of the rapid influenza diagnostic testing market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) report that the swelling seasonal flu burden on the paediatric care system has also resulted in alarmingly high rates of mortality and morbidity. The increasing number of paediatric healthcare facilities is further boosting adoption rates worldwide. The prevalence is also high among adults, particularly younger adults, elderly people with comorbidities, and pregnant women, which will remain key factors fostering the rapid influenza diagnostic testing business.
The US: A Strong Market for RIDT Providers
The US, due to solid technological advances and a research-favorable environment, has been one of the strongest regional grounds for the proliferation of the influenza diagnostic testing market. The highly sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, advancing diagnostics field, skilled professionals, and strong government support further uplift the prospects of the US market in the rapid influenza diagnostic testing landscape. In 2017, the FDA reclassified RIDTs to class II devices from class I, effectively mandating RIDTs to meet specific minimum criteria for sensitivity and specificity.
The demand for RIDT has also been rising in Canada, which boasts exceptional-quality healthcare facilities and a high rate of hospital admissions. The Canadian market for rapid influenza diagnostic testing benefits from substantial government funds dedicated to public education aimed at raising awareness about influenza diagnosis and treatment.
Asia Pacific: Promising Opportunities for RIDT Providers
While Asia Pacific remains a key market for RIDT providers due to the expanding flu patient population and the presence of a massive high-risk patient mass, the most promising opportunities are likely to reside in India and its surroundings. This market attractiveness is attributable to the thriving rate of RIDT kits adoption across the country in recent years.
Competition Landscape and Recent Developments in the Global RIDT Market
Some of the top companies operating in the global rapid influenza diagnostic testing market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Abbott Laboratories, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Hologic, Luminex Corporation, Quidel Corporation, GenMark Diagnostics, Inc., Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Danaher Corporation (Cepheid), Biocartis, bioMérieux Inc, and Endress+Hauser (Analytik Jena AG).
R&D and innovations are likely to remain key growth strategies for market leaders. Acquisitions and collaborations are also expected to be preferred moves for companies seeking a stronger foothold in regional and global landscapes. Recently, in 2020, Sekisui Diagnostics announced that it received FDA approval and a CLIA Waiver for its OSOM® Ultra Plus Flu A&B Test. The launch of this improved and more accurate test kit was planned to fortify the company’s flu portfolio performance.
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