The lateral flow assays market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecasted period.
The market for lateral flow assays (LFAs) includes a broad range of simple diagnostic procedures that don't require specialized equipment and yield speedy results. Numerous industries, including healthcare, food safety, veterinary diagnostics, and environmental monitoring, use these tests. Their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and speed make them invaluable in resource-constrained environments, remote locations, and point-of-care situations. Important uses include drug misuse screening, pregnancy testing, testing for infectious diseases, and, more recently, COVID-19 testing.
Market growth is fueled by things like rising rates of infectious diseases, rising need for quick diagnostics, and improvements in assay technology. Further factors driving market expansion include the growing demand for decentralized testing and the development of the healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies. Businesses in the LFA sector concentrate on innovation, product creation, and tactical alliances to stay competitive and meet changing global client demands.
The market for lateral flow assays has shown tremendous growth due to the growing demand for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT). The demand for lateral flow assays has increased as a result of POCT's broad adoption in a variety of healthcare settings and its quick and easy findings. These assays are especially well-suited for POCT applications because of their ease of use, speedy turnaround time, and simplicity. Rapid diagnostics have made them vital tools due to their capacity to provide on-the-spot diagnoses without the need for specialized equipment or laboratory facilities. This has led to continuing market growth and innovation in lateral flow assay technology to address increasing POCT needs.
In May 2022, in collaboration with Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd., Cipla Limited announced the launch of the "RT-Direct" multiplex COVID-19 RT PCR Test kit for sale in India. By doing this, Cipla can provide a wider range of sophisticated and cutting-edge diagnostic devices. Cipla has started supplying RT Direct kits and will be in charge of their distribution in India. This kit has been validated at a center accredited by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It is based on the "gold standard RT-PCR method," which is far more advanced than others that just have one or two target genes and covers three target genes specific to SARS-COV-2 along with IC. The RT-PCR test's sensitivity is significantly raised by this.
The need for quick and effective diagnostic solutions has increased due to the global rise in infectious illness cases, which has supported the lateral flow tests market. These tests are essential instruments in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of illnesses because they provide rapid and accurate detection of infectious agents. Because of their ease of use, portability, and quick turnaround times, they have established themselves as essential elements of diagnostic plans, particularly in situations with limited resources and during epidemics. The need for lateral flow assays is anticipated to endure as the burden of infectious diseases increases globally, propelling assay development, innovation, and market expansion.
According to the WHO, in 2023, Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 41 million annual deaths worldwide, or 74% of all fatalities. 17 million individuals die from NCDs before they become 70 years old every year; low- and middle-income nations account for 86% of these premature fatalities 77% of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income nations. The majority of NCD deaths,17.9 million annually, are caused by cardiovascular illnesses, which are followed by death by cancer (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million, including deaths from renal disease induced by diabetes).
Technological developments that improve sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing capabilities have completely changed the lateral flow test market. More precise and trustworthy lateral flow assays can be created thanks to improved technologies, increasing their applicability to a wider range of medical illnesses and non-healthcare industries. Innovations that address changing consumer demands for quicker, more accurate, and easier-to-use diagnostic solutions—like smartphone integration for result interpretation, microfluidics for improved performance, and innovative detection techniques—fuel market expansion.
These developments encourage more research and development to push the limits of lateral flow assay technology, which in turn increases diagnostic accuracy and boosts market competitiveness. For example, Abcam provides the Universal Lateral Flow Assay Kit, which combines Ulfa-Tag kit technology with GOLD conjugation to enable the creation of unique sandwich assays. Such a kit's ability to function with any pair of detection and capture antibodies is one of its benefits. Thus, it is anticipated that the lateral flow assays market will develop as more cutting-edge sandwich assays become available.
The market for lateral flow assays is expanding significantly in the Asia-Pacific area. This expansion is being driven by factors like increased healthcare costs, an increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases, population growth, and growing awareness of early disease diagnosis. Technological developments and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are also driving market expansion.
The presence of major industry participants concentrating on strategic alliances and collaborations, in addition to the region's sizable and diversified population, supports the lateral flow assay market's strong expansion in the Asia-Pacific. This pattern is anticipated to persist as the need for quick and trustworthy diagnostic solutions keeps growing.
For example, the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030) of the Indian government aims to eradicate malaria by 2030 and raise awareness of the disease. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, which falls under the purview of the country's National Health Mission, is expected to allocate USD 106.53 billion for this strategy.
The lack of sensitivity and specificity in lateral flow assays, especially when compared to laboratory-based diagnostic techniques, is a significant barrier to the market. Although lateral flow tests are simple to use and provide quick results, their accuracy may not always satisfy the demands of certain applications. For developers in the lateral flow assay market, overcoming this limitation through technological innovations targeted at improving sensitivity and specificity continues to be a top priority.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Growth Rate | CAGR during the forecast period |
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Segmentation | Technique, Product, Application, End-User |
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Companies |
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