UAE Genetic Testing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Next-generation Sequencing, Array Technology), By Application, By Channel, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The UAE genetic testing market size was valued at USD 29.27 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.40% by 2030. The growth is majorly attributed to the rising prevalence of genetic conditions, increasing investments in genetic R&D, and technological developments by prominent market players. Moreover, increasing emphasis on personalized medicines is also likely to have a positive impact on the UAE direct-to-consumer genetic testing market.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacogenomics played a prominent role in creating effective, tailored, and cost-efficient medicines. The growing use of pharmacogenomics to produce effective cancer medicines is also a key factor driving the market growth. Moreover, recent developments undertaken by key companies are also likely to positively impact the growth of the industry.

For instance, in February 2022, Dante Labs announced that it has selected Abu Dhabi Executive Office employees for their wellbeing week as a genetic services provider. This initiative is expected to strengthen the company’s position in the Abu Dhabi market. Biopharmaceutical companies are actively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has further created opportunities for players striving to gain market share by leveraging the situation and capitalizing on untapped avenues.

According to WHO 2020 report, the UAE had a cancer incidence and mortality of 4,807 and 1,896, respectively. Furthermore, the UAE became one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in the mid-twentieth century, with this expansion contributing to economic, sociodemographic, and lifestyle changes in its population as well as an epidemiological increase in NCD rates. In addition, as per national studies in the UAE, this rise in cancer rates was linked to increased exposure to a number of risk factors, including lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of a high-calorie diet, rise in obesity rates, and increase in tobacco consumption.

Furthermore, government authorities are focusing on implementing national programs to encourage and consolidate genetic research. The primary goal of these national genetic research programs is to increase their investments in the compilation of genetic data to develop ethnic personalized treatment plans and medicines. To achieve this goal, awareness and acceptance of genetic testing play an equally crucial role in the process.

Technology Insights

The next-generation sequencing (NGS) segment held the highest revenue share of 46.30% in 2022 and is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. In the global healthcare sector, NGS is steadily being integrated into clinical laboratory analysis, testing, and disease diagnoses. Increased genome mapping programs, expanded applications of NGS, increasing healthcare expenditure, and technological advancements in sequencing technology are all propelling the NGS market.

PCR-based testing is anticipated to witness significant growth of 21.7% during the forecast period till 2030. The growing incidences of target diseases and genetic abnormalities; ongoing technological innovations, the incorporation of robotics, and the development of miniaturized portable instruments, are some of the factors driving the growth of PCR technologies. Moreover, new test kits and techniques for disease diagnosis are being developed by companies.

For instance, in May 2020, Group 42 (G42), has collaborated with InterSystems to install InterSystems TrakCare Lab Enterprise (TCLE). TCLE will automatically report and conveniently submit PCR results to the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). These factors have contributed to the segment’s growth.

Application Insights

The ancestry & ethnicity application segment held the highest revenue share of 50.72%in 2022. Genetic ancestry screening, wherein genetic information is utilized to identify recent progenitors' geographic origins, has gained popularity. Furthermore, these tests reveal information about a person's ancestors and can help people connect with distant relatives, such as fourth or fifth cousins. In addition, the cost associated with these tests has reduced significantly and it has entered into the “direct to consumer” segment which is now referred to as recreational genetics.

Health and wellness segment is anticipated to witness significant growth of 21.8% during the forecast period. Predictive genetics testing and consumer/wellness genomics are in high demand due to the growing focus on healthy lifestyles and increased healthcare awareness campaigns. Hereditary testing can help forecast future disease risks and provide information and statistics about a child's genetic makeup. Furthermore, testing is useful for persons who have a family history of genetic disorders.

However, the high expense of genomic research equipment, as well as the complexity of predictive genetic testing and consumer/wellness genomics, are challenges that could limit market growth in the future.

Channel Insights

The offline channel segment held the highest revenue share of 55.29% in 2022 owing to the integration of newmolecular testing technologies, allowing the testing industry to expand at a rapid pace. As a result, a large number of private diagnostic testing laboratories are now offering a wide range of genetic testing services. A new trend in the supply of private molecular genetic testing services, such as saliva and buccal swab collection kits being offered for over-the-counter sales by pharmacies.

However, the online channel segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period.Hereditary testing allows clinicians and patients to understand the risks of hereditary diseases. By testing at the early stage, individuals can make informed decisions that may minimize the risk of developing certain diseases. Smartphone applications, such as ShareDNA, provide relevant information about the genetic test results, and how to interpret those results, and reduces the information required of patients to use this service.

End-use Insights

The hospital end-use segment held the highest market share of 61.37% in 2022 owing to the increasing prevalence of hospitalization of patients with genetic disorders in the country. The congenital malformation is the second major cause of mortality in the UAE. According to the Center for Arab Genomics Studies' database, there are 241 genetic abnormalities within the demographic; this figure is alarming given the country's small population size.

The rising prevalence of these disorders will be responsible for high patient visits to the hospitals, which would present the industry progression while impacting the market positively. In addition, increasing accessibility to modern technology in genetic testing and favorable reimbursement policies are contributing to fueling the demand for these testing in hospitals and clinics.

Furthermore, the diagnostic laboratories segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing partnerships and collaboration of diagnostic laboratories with several companies operating in this market. For instance, Thermo Fisher Scientific enables laboratories to conduct hereditary research by providing technologies, such as quantitative PCR and next-generation sequencing. Similarly, in March 2022, GC Labs entered into collaboration with BioLab and Biotrust to deliver its testing services to laboratories while expanding its footprints in the region’s market. These factors contribute to the segment’s revenue growth in the coming years.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The companies are continuously expanding their service portfolios to accelerate the development of emerging gene-editing products. For instance, in January 2022, 23 and Me received FDA approval for a genetic health risk report on a hereditary prostate cancer marker. This approval is expected to expand the company’s offering in genetic testing. Some prominent players in the UAE genetic testing market include:

• Middle East Testing Services L.L.C

• Molecular Biology & Genetics Laboratory

•  NSG

• Freiburg Medical Laboratory Middle East

• IVI MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY CLINIC

• 23andMe, Inc

• Ancestry

• CircleDNA

• 24Genetics

•  MyDNA Life Australia Pty Ltd.

UAE Genetic Testing Market Report Scope

UAE Genetic Testing Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2030. For this report, Grand View Research has segmented the UAE genetic testing market based on technology, application, end-use, and channel:

• Technology Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Next Generation Sequencing

  • Array Technology - Specific to Microarray Only

  • PCR-based Testing

  • FISH

  • Others

• Application Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Ancestry & Ethnicity

  • Cancer Screening

  • Genetic Disease Carrier Status

  • New Baby Screening

  • Traits

  • Health and Wellness - Predisposition/ Risk / Tendency

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Hospitals & Clinics

  • Diagnostic Laboratories

  • Others

• Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Online (Own Website/ App, Aggregators, Marketplace)

  • Offline (Pharmacy, Own Clinics, Partner Clinics, Lab, Hospitals)

  • Others