Malaria diagnostics market

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries. If diagnosed early and if the appropriate antimalarials are available and used, the prognosis of malaria is very good. Malaria parasites can be identified by examining under a microscope a drop of the patient's blood, spread out as a blood smear on a microscope slide. Different types of malaria diagnostic available in the market for such as rapid diagnostic tests, microscopy, and molecular diagnostic tests. Malaria is conventionally diagnosed by microscopic examination. Microscopy is still considered the gold standard for malaria diagnosis in endemic countries. However, there is no single malaria diagnostic tool that meets all of these criteria.

Market Statistics:

The global malaria diagnostics market was valued at US$ 729.1 Mn in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 1,068.9 Mn by 2028 at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2022 and 2028.

Africa held dominant position in the global malaria diagnostics market in 2021, accounting for 84.3% share in terms of value, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe, respectively.

Figure 1. Global Malaria Diagnostics Market Share (%), by Region, 2021

Recent Developments:

In February 2022, Kenya's Ministry of Health announced the launch of malaria and COVID-19 PCR diagnostic kits in a bid to boost timely detection and treatment of the two diseases. The kits will save the country and families from importation at a higher price.

In December 2019, Access Bio Inc. developed a ultra-sensitive P. falciparum malaria detection kit in collaboration with Global Good. It is five times more analytically sensitive in identifying histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) antigens than currently available uRDTs.

Market Drivers:

1. Increasing prevalence of malaria across the globe is expected to augment the growth of the global malaria diagnostics market over the forecast period. For instance, according to the World Malaria Report 2020, there were 241 million cases of malaria in 2020 (uncertainty range 218-269 million), compared to 227 million cases in 2019, and 627,000 malaria deaths (uncertainty range 583-765 thousand). Africa is the world region that is most affected by malaria. In 2019, 96% of global deaths from malaria occurred on the African continent.
2. Growing demand for diagnostic tools in malaria-endemic regions is expected to boost growth of the global malaria diagnostics market during the forecast period. For instance, in June 2019, PATH and Quansys Biosciences announced the launch of a highly sensitive malaria diagnostic tool designed to help researchers detect and treat malaria. The Q-Plex Human Malaria Array is a quantitative immunoassay that supports researchers in creating more sensitive malaria rapid diagnostic tests and will aid in public health surveillance.

Figure 2. Global Malaria Diagnostics Market Share (%), by Technology, 2021

Market Restraints:

1. Rising number of malaria-free countries is expected to hinder growth of the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, a total of 12 countries were certified malaria free by the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2020 and 2022. Countries certified malaria free by the WHO include Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan, Argentina, Armenia, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Algeria, Sri Lanka, and El Salvador.
2. Increasing demand for low-cost diagnostic tools is expected to hamper growth of the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, Malaria is highly prevalent in the middle- and low-income countries and lacks access to proper public health facilities and affordable diagnostics. Thus, with the increase in prevalence of malaria, the demand for low-cost diagnostic tools is also increasing with a rapid pace. This in turn is expected to restrain market growth.

Market Opportunities:

1. Government initiatives to prevent malaria is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, WHO’s (the World Health Organization’s) Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is responsible for coordinating the WHO's global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Moreover, the Nigerian government launched a national malaria elimination program, ramping up the distribution of mosquito nets & access to drug therapies, and expanding a plan for vector management.
2. Growing demand for novel malaria diagnostic tools is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players in the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, in April 2019, Human Diagnostics Worldwide, Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd., and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) announced the launch of the first commercially available molecular diagnostic test for the detection of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax parasites.

Market Trends/Key Takeaways:

1. Increase in awareness among people about malaria is expected to drive growth of the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, to raise awareness, World Health Organization celebrates World Malaria Day each year on 25^th April to underscore the collective energy and commitment of the global malaria community in uniting around the common goal of a world free of malaria.
2. Introduction of novel products by market players is expected to propel growth of the global malaria diagnostics market. For instance, January 2019, ERADA announced the launch of the world first diagnostic saliva test for malaria. The saliva-based diagnostic tool is set to transform malaria detection worldwide in the fight against one of the globe's most deadly diseases.

Competitive Landscape:

1. Access Bio
2. Abbott Laboratories
3. BioMérieux
4. Meril Life Sciences Pvt Ltd
5. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
6. Premier Medical Corporation Pvt Ltd
7. Siemens Healthineers
8. Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.
9. Nikon Corporation

Detailed Segmentation:

• Global Malaria Diagnostics Market, By Technology:
  • Microscopy
  • Rapid Diagnostic Tests
  • Molecular Diagnostic Tests
  • Other Technologies
• Global Malaria Diagnostics Market, By Geography:
  • Americas
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Africa