Market Trends of Global STD Diagnostics Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the STD Diagnostics Market according to our research experts:
Laboratory Testing Segment is Expected to Witness Growth Over the Forecast Period
Laboratory tests are the most common form of diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) across the globe. As laboratory tests are reliable and provide high accuracy, their usage is high and people tend to trust more on laboratory tests.
Abbott laboratories offer an in vitro reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and in vitro polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of various sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and others caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. Similarly, Qiagen Inc. offers a wide range of diagnostics test kits, including STI tests for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections with high clinical sensitivity and specificity, that are used to detect various sexually transmitted diseases.
Moreover, there have been continuous product launches occurring in the field of molecular diagnostics which is one of the leading factors responsible for the growth of the laboratory testing segment. More product launches are allowing laboratories to install instruments or equipment as per the need.
For instance, in May 2022, Qiagen Inc. launched NeuMoDxHSV 1/2 Quant Assay for the quantification and differentiation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA and/or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) with approval from the European Commission. The emergence of this assay is allowing the company to expand its product portfolio in laboratory testing which ultimately helps the market growth owing to the innovative tests. Additionally, in November 2021, Roche launched Cobas 5800 System, a real-time PCR molecular testing solution, a new molecular laboratory instrument, in countries accepting the CE mark. This launch is helping the company in broadening its diagnostics product range for various applications including STD diagnostics which is expected to contribute to the growth of the market studied.
Therefore, owing to the above-mentioned factors, the laboratory testing segment is believed to witness high growth over the forecast period.
North America holds largest share in Global STD Diagnostics Market
The global sexually transmitted diseases diagnostics market is dominated by North America, owing to the high prevalence of STDs in the region. The United States is expected to be the largest market in the North American region due to the presence of a large number of diagnostic companies and greater disease awareness. In April 2022, a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) titled "Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2020" stated that STDs remain a significant public health concern in the country. According to the same source, Chlamydia trachomatis infection was the most prevalent notifiable sexually transmitted infection in the United States in 2020 with a total of 1,579,885 cases reported to the CDC. The CDC received reports of 677,769 different gonorrhea infections in 2020. 2020 saw 133,945 cases of syphilis throughout all phases, including 41,655 cases of the disease's primary and secondary (P&S) stages, which are the most contagious. By raising the demand for such diseases' diagnostic processes, the country's market growth is thus anticipated to expand with the prevalence of STDs.
Similarly, the CDC reported in May 2022 that 30,635 people in the United States and dependent territories acquired an HIV diagnosis in 2020. The report was titled "Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2020." At the end of 2019, the number of Americans living with HIV was predicted to be 1,189,700. Because early diagnosis is essential for the patient to live a long and healthy life, it is therefore projected that the prevalence of HIV will boost the demand for illness diagnostics.
In August 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services developed a Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan (STI Plan). Five high-level goals that frame the STI Plan's more precise targets are presented beside this vision. The prevention of new STIs is one of the five aims and related objectives. In communities and populations most affected by STIs, increase access to high-quality, inexpensive STI secondary prevention, including screening, care, and treatment. To identify and treat STIs, including novel and emerging disease threats, support the development and adoption of innovative STI diagnostic tools, therapeutic agents, and other interventions. Thus, it is anticipated that such measures will accelerate market expansion.
Moreover, in May 2021, a team led by Johns Hopkins University developed a low-cost portable device and smartphone app to quickly diagnose gonorrhea and evaluate whether a specific strain will respond to frontline treatments. The innovation is an improvement over current testing methods used in hospitals and clinics, which can take up to a week to give findings and during which individuals may unintentionally spread illnesses. Furthermore, in March 2021, NASTAD (National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors) partnered with Building Healthy Online Communities for a free HIV and STD test kit home delivery program called TakeMeHome.
Therefore, owing to the above factors, the growth of the STD diagnostics market in North America is expected to surge over the forecast period.
