Market Trends of Direct-to-Consumer Laboratory Testing Industry
The Genetic Testing Segment is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share During the Forecast Period
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GT) are tests sold directly to consumers to provide information about their genetic information, including ancestry, certain health traits, and health risks, using a saliva sample. DTC-GT improves the patient's convenience, affordability, personal choice, and privacy. The rising prevalence of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia, cancer, and cystic fibrosis and increasing strategic activities by the key players are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.
The rising prevalence of genetic disorders and increasing awareness about genetic diseases increase the demand for DTC genetic tests for early identification and proper treatment, which are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. For instance, according to an article published in the Lancet Haematology in August 2023, the number of people living with sickle cell disease around the globe was around 7·74 million in 2022. Similarly, according to the American Cancer Society 2024 update, about 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2024. Hence, the rising prevalence of genetic disorders and growing awareness about genetic disorders are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.
Also, increasing strategic activities such as acquisitions, investments, and new product launches are expected to improve the accessibility and affordability of DTC genetic tests, which will ultimately drive the market during the forecast period. For instance, in May 2023, Grifols, a provider of plasma-derived medicines and innovative diagnostic solutions, reported the launch of AlphaID At Home, a direct-to-consumer program in the United States to screen for the genetic risk of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1) for the identification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hence, the launch of such services is expected to increase the accessibility of direct-to-consumer laboratory testing, which will drive the market during the forecast period.
Thus, the rising prevalence of genetic diseases and increasing strategic activities by key players are expected to drive the segment revenue during the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Hold the Significant Market Share During the Forecast Period
The direct-to-consumer laboratory testing market in North America is driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and thyroid, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and rising strategic activities such as acquisitions and partnerships by key players.
The rising occurrence of chronic diseases like diabetes and hyperthyroidism is driving the demand for direct-to-consumer (DTC) laboratory tests. These tests are used for frequent blood glucose and thyroid hormone monitoring, providing high patient convenience. This trend is expected to propel the market during the forecast period. For instance, according to a Diabetes Canada update from January 2024, around 5.8 million people lived with diabetes in Canada in 2023, and it is estimated to reach 7.4 million by 2033. According to an article published in Cureus in September 2023, the prevalence rate of primary hypothyroidism in the population of the United States ranges from 4% to 8%. Hence, the significant prevalence of diabetes and thyroid is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.
Also, the increasing strategic activities, such as acquisitions by key players to increase the accessibility of direct-to-consumer laboratory testing, will ultimately drive the market during the forecast period. In October 2022, GC LabTech, a subsidiary of GC Biopharma, announced a partnership with 1health.io to offer innovative lab tests directly to consumers. This partnership enables GC LabTech to sell its innovative new health and wellness tests into the direct-to-consumer lab testing market. Hence, such strategic activities increase the accessibility of direct-to-consumer laboratory testing and will drive the market during the forecast period.
Therefore, the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, as well as the growing number of strategic partnerships, will enhance the accessibility and affordability of direct-to-consumer laboratory tests, thereby driving the market during the forecast period.
