Beta Thalassemia Testing Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology (Next-Generation Sequencing, Polymerase Chain Reaction, and Others), By Test Type (Genetic Testing, Prenatal Testing, and Others), By Setting (Laboratories and Point of Care), By End-user (Hospitals & Clinics, Clinical Laboratories, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Beta thalassemia is defined as a blood disorder that results in the reduced production of hemoglobin. The condition is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin beta (HBB) gene. This can lead to delayed growth, enlarged spleen and kidneys, diabetes, and other problems. People affected by beta thalassemia generally suffer from reduced oxygen levels in the body due to low hemoglobin levels.

Beta thalassemia testing kits are used for early diagnosis of abnormalities in blood cells and CBC (complete blood count) in patients. These tests are also used in prenatal testing and newborn screening to check for any genetic abnormalities.

Beta thalassemia traits are more common among people from Mediterranean countries and Asian, African, and Middle East countries. The rising population among these regions is primarily responsible for the increased demand for beta thalassemia testing. The increasing prevalence of the condition worldwide and the rising migration among people in different countries have fueled the demand for beta thalassemia testing in hospitals and diagnostic centers.

• For instance, as per the article published by News-Medical.Net in March 2023, beta thalassemia is the most common form among populations of Mediterranean, African, and South Asian ancestry. Moreover, thalassemia affects approximately 4.4 out of every 10,000 live births worldwide.

Moreover, the increasing awareness among the population of genetic disorders and prenatal testing increases the demand for beta thalassemia testing.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Beta Thalassemia Testing Market

The global beta thalassemia testing market experienced a decline due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The decline was experienced as lockdown restrictions were imposed to control the spread of the virus resulting in postponing of diagnostic tests.

• For instance, according to a research article published in the Journal of Medical Genetics 2020, there was a hindrance reported due to COVID-19 in accessing genetic testing blood draws, as a result of which genetic testing was tremendously impacted, wherein a reduction in genetic testing from 97.7% to 74.1% was observed during the pandemic.

Additionally, the decreased rate of tests in laboratories other than COVID-19 infection and the closure of labs and diagnostic centers all over the globe led to a decline in the beta thalassemia testing market.

However, the market experienced a significant recovery in 2021 due to the release of the lockdown and increased diagnosis and treatment of thalassemia among patients.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Prevalence of Beta Thalassemia, by Key Countries/Regions, 2022.


• New Product Launches by Key Players.


• Key Industry Developments by Key Players (Mergers, Acquisitions, Collaborations, etc.).


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market.

Analysis by Test Type

On the basis of test type, prenatal testing is expected to grow at a significant CAGR. Factors such as early detection in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, direct examination of beta trait thalassemia, and low chances of infection have been fueling the segment's growth during the forecast period.

Moreover, genetic testing for beta thalassemia is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR. The increasing research in genetic tests for beta thalassemia and new product launches by key players has fueled the segment growth.

• For instance, in February 2022, according to an article published by S. Karger AG, the method of analyzing Cell-Free Fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal plasma by Digital PCR is efficient for prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

Regional Analysis

North America is anticipated to account for a significant share of the global beta thalassemia testing market. The primary factor responsible for the largest share in the market is the increasing incidence of beta thalassemia. The increased demand for testing and the presence of key market players such as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is expected to drive the market in the region.

• According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), December 2020, in the U.S. prevalence of beta thalassemia has increased by approximately 7.5% over the last 50 years due to an increase in immigration from Asian countries in the past decades.

Moreover, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a significant CAGR due to rising prevalence of beta thalassemia cases in the region, increased immigration among different population groups and new product launches.

Key Players Covered

The report will include the profiles of key players such as MedGenome, TRUPCR, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., ViennaLab Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., PerkinElmer Inc, Asper Biogene, BGI, Tosoh Bioscience, Inc., Mapmygenome, and others.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• September 2022: BGI announced the CE-IVDD certification for its thalassemia gene detection kit, a NGS technology used for genetic diagnosis in patients.


• September 2022: BGI and the Azerbaijan Thalassemia Center announced a collaboration agreement, further aiming to improve thalassemia screening in Azerbaijan through genetic technology.


• April 2022: BGI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Huada Biotechnology Co., Ltd, obtained the medical device registration certificate from the National Drug Administration for its alpha and beta thalassemia gene detection kit.


• November 2020: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., announced the introduction of new features of its D-10 hemoglobin testing system for better patient result management, optimized quality control, and offering fully automated beta thalassemia testing on a single platform.