Paper Diagnostics Market Analysis Report By Device Type (Diagnostics, Monitoring), By Application, By Product (Lateral Flow Assays, Paper Based Microfluidics), By End Use, and Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global paper diagnostics market size was estimated at USD 5.69 billion in 2017. It is poised to witness a CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period. Increasing need for cost-effective healthcare in remote areas of developing countries is leading to rising popularity of point-of-care diagnostic methods in these countries. Moreover, in developed countries, heightened adoption of point-of-care diabetes test kits and pregnancy test kits is projected to work in favor of the market.

Furthermore, changing lifestyle habits, including smoking and unhealthy diet coupled with increased incidence of obesity, is anticipated to lead to an increase in the prevalence of lifestyle-associated diseases, such as diabetes and cardiac diseases, worldwide. For instance, as per a study conducted by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2017, around 3.27 million cases of diabetes were diagnosed in France. Growing cases are likely to lead to development of diabetic paper diagnostic test kits in near future, thereby  driving the market.

Moreover, increasing investments by government organizations in R&D pertaining to development of novel in vitro diagnostics tests and devices have been providing an upthrust to the market. For instance, European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA), which focuses on development and overall growth of the in vitro diagnostic industry in Europe, invests approximately € 1 billion in R&D of in vitro diagnostics every year.

Rising focus of established players in Japan towards developing technologically advanced paper diagnostics, increasing healthcare initiatives, and clinical development frameworks of emerging economies are poised to create ample growth opportunities for the market in APAC. Rising incidence of hospital acquired urinary tract infections in India is prompting hospitals and doctors to focus on delivery of proper care and incorporation of diagnostic techniques.

In addition, an urgent need for development of new systems and replacement & upgradation of medical infrastructure are also projected to positively influence the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, presence of untapped opportunities in emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil in the field of paper-based point-of-care diagnostics is anticipated to boost the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Product Insights

The lateral flow assays segment accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 55.0% of the market in 2017. The growth of the segment can be attributed to wide usage rate as pregnancy tests and a wide range of applications of the product type. Furthermore, growing incidence of infectious diseases such as HIV, TB, and pneumonia is estimated to spur the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

For instance, according to the Global TB Report 2017 published by WHO in 2016, around 2.8 million cases of TB were reported in India. The report further stated that India accounted for a quarter of the global TB burden. Moreover, rising efforts by government and healthcare organizations to create awareness about detection and treatment of TB are contributing to the growth of the segment.

The paper-based microfluidics segment is expected to exhibit significant growth over the forecast period owing to surging demand for point-of-care testing and R&D investments by life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. For instance, researchers from Purdue University, U.S. developed “Self-powered and Paper-based Electrochemical Devices (SPEDs),” a portable paper-based device, which can identify diseases such as anemia. It is a medical diagnostic device made out of paper, which helps detect biomarkers and identify disease by performing an electrochemical analysis.

Devices Type Insights

Diagnostic devices represented the leading revenue share in the market in 2017. Paper diagnostic devices are used in blood separation and glucose detection. Rising awareness regarding associated merits, such as improved intensity, quality, and frequency of diagnosis along with new product launch and approvals is likely to supplement the growth of the segment.

Novel wax patterning technology can provide greater flexibility and adaptability, thereby increasing the potential of the diagnostics devices segment. Furthermore, burgeoning popularity of programmable microfluidics devices in urinalysis is poised to augment the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Monitoring devices are also projected to post healthy growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed to increasing usage of devices in application that includes food testing and nutrient monitoring in aquatic systems. Moreover, rising incorporation by government organization, such as Ministry of Food Processing and International Food Protection Training Institute or agricultural groups, for enhanced monitoring will support the growth of the overall paper diagnostics market.

End-use Insights

Home healthcare is likely to register a CAGR of more than 8.0% during forecast period. High adoption of pregnancy and diabetes test kits in home healthcare is one of the key factors escalating the growth of the segment. Growing inclination towards affordable healthcare systems and government initiatives are also playing a vital role in the growth of the segment.

In March 2015, Public Health England (PHE), NHS England, and Diabetes U.K. initiated “National NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme” in the U.K. to raise awareness and reduce incidence rate of type 2 diabetes. Thus, rising efforts to create awareness about diabetes and need for its early detection will further fuel the demand for paper diagnostics in the home healthcare segment.

Paper-based molecular assays, ELISA, cell assays, and nucleic acid assays are used in biotech pharma research institutions. These diagnostics are incorporated to support clinical development of drugs and as an aid in drug discovery. Moreover, growing R&D and fund raising activities in emerging countries is poised to propel the growth of the segment.

Application Insights

The clinical diagnostics segment is anticipated to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period, owing to increasing usage of filter paper, microfluidics, and paper-based biosensors in diagnosis of liver disorders. In addition, the segment is estimated to dominate the market throughout the forecast horizon owing to increasing prevalence of infectious disease such as Ebola, malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, and HIV.

Moreover, new product launch and technological advancements are expected to further bolster the growth of the segment. For instance, in April 2017, Alere introduced “Malaria Ag.P.F,” a sensitive malaria RDT that can be used for detection of antigen of Plasmodium falciparum, i.e., histidine-rich protein II antigen, even with very low parasitemia.

Regional Insights

North America was the leading revenue contributor in the market in 2017. Presence of major players in the market with a strong network of technology distribution in the U.S. is one of the primary growth stimulants for the market. Moreover, rising government initiatives to promote advanced diagnosis for infectious diseases are benefiting the growth of the regional market.

For instance, in August 2017, CDC provided funding of around USD 200 million through the ‘Epidemiology & Laboratory Capacity (ELC) for Infectious Disease’ agreement. The funding is projected to help countries control and prevent threat posed by infectious diseases. In addition, well-established healthcare facilities, rising awareness among the populace, and availability of effective paper diagnostic tools are anticipated to foster the growth of the market in North America.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period. The growth of the region can be attributed to rising prevalence of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and dengue. According to a study published by WHO, in 2017, the largest number of cases, i.e., around 62.0% of cases for TB were detected in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia region. The study further states that the eight countries accounting for two-third of new cases are Indonesia, China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Nigeria

Moreover, the healthcare industry in the region is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period owing to rising R&D activities and fund raising activities that are creating opportunities for western market players to invest in this region. For instance, in India, organizations such as Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, National Centre for Biological Sciences, and Department of Biotechnology provide grants to facilitate biotechnology research activities, which can further lead to technological advancements in paper-based diagnostic solutions.

Paper Diagnostics Market Share Insights

Key established players include ARKRAY Inc.; Acon Laboratories, Inc.; Abbott; Bio-Rad Laboratories; and Siemens healthcare Gmbh. High R&D investments to deliver novel product portfolio are one of the key strategies adopted by these players to capture shares. For instance, Abbott invested around USD 2.24 billion in FY 2017 for research and developmental activities. The company has HIV Combo Fingerstick, SD BIOLINE HAT 2.0, and Malaria Ag.P.F. Test products under its product portfolio serving the market.  

Furthermore, in January 2018, ARKRAY, Inc. completed expansion and transfer of its Pinghu factory in China, in order to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities pertinent to diabetes testing instruments and in vitro diagnostic reagents. Through R&D unit expansion, the company is expanding its presence in China to grab untapped opportunities.

Other emerging players, such as Abcam Plc; Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.; and Creative Diagnostics, are continually focusing on new product development and expanding their presence into developing economies to grab untapped opportunities.

Report Scope:

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global paper diagnostics market report on the basis of product, device type, application, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Lateral Flow Assays

  • Dipsticks

  • Paper Based Microfluidics

• Device Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Diagnostic Devices

  • Monitoring Devices

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Clinical Diagnostics

    • Cancer

    • Infectious diseases

    • Liver Disorders

    • Other

  • Food Quality Testing

  • Environmental Monitoring

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Home Healthcare

  • Assisted Living Healthcare Facilities

  • Hospital and Clinics

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia