A new report from Kalorama Information (Rockville Pike, MD, USA) by diagnostic market analyst Shara Rosen and diagnostic consulting network president Brendan O’Farrell describes a quarter-billion dollar market in the next five years for tests that can detect infectious diseases such as malaria and TB—but also rarer diseases like leptospirosis and chikungunya.

The incidence of TB, malaria, hepatitis, and, in particular, HIV/AIDS continues to increase, with HIV/AIDS and TB likely to account for the overwhelming majority of deaths from infectious diseases in developing countries by 2020. Shara Rosen commented, “For the past 10-15 years politicians and aid agencies have come to understand that infectious diseases are not merely causes of suffering and death but also significant barriers to economic development.”

Increased funding for infectious disease diagnostics by groups such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH; Seattle, WA, USA) and The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND; Geneva, Switzerland) is helping to develop a new generation of sophisticated test platforms that are designed to meet the needs of low resource environments.

The response of the international community towards the problem has created a market. The report cites a 13% growth rate for sales of point-of-care (POC) tests that treat these most pressing health needs. This is greater than Kalorama forecasts for most areas of the POC diagnostics market.

Shara Rosen added, “There is a huge need for user-friendly, highly specific and reliable technologies for rural and underserved communities worldwide, and that is where the opportunity lies.”

There are at least 75 vendors worldwide that market rapid test kits for emerging infectious diseases. The current market leaders are companies that have invested in sophisticated new technologies and those that have established relationships with governments and international aid agencies.

Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services.

Related Links:
Kalorama Information
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics