Abbott Laboratories obtained emergency use authorization from the US FDA for a molecular point-of-care test for detection of COVID-19, indicating that the nucleic acid testing market is gaining momentum

 

Nucleic Acid Testing, also known as DNA testing, is a scientific method utilized to identify a specific nucleic acid molecule and thus in effect to identify and detect a certain species or sub-species of an organism, most commonly the bacteria or virus which acts as a co-adaptor to disease in blood, tissue, fluid, etc. The analysis of DNA involves the construction of a nucleic acid structure from DNA templates either through detergent extraction or DNA cloning methods. There has been growing demand for advanced diagnostic measures, in order to gain accurate and precise results. These advanced diagnostic measures are significantly safer and more effective than conventional measures of diagnosis and offer efficient file-sharing and data privacy. It also reduces healthcare costs and improves diagnosis. Thus, such factors can boost growth of the nucleic acid market.

Recently, in March 2020, Abbott Laboratories received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the fastest available molecular point-of-care test for detection of COVID-19.

These DNA fragments are then subjected to various tests in order to determine what they contain. In most cases, this involves either the use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or PCR-reading methods in which case one DNA sample is mixed with a template DNA and heated in the presence of specific primers. Nucleic acid testing is typically adopted for the diagnosis of infectious diseases such as common cold, diphtheria, E. coli, influenza, chickenpox, and more. The prevalence of such infectious diseases has risen massively over the years in both developed and emerging economies. As per the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), since 2010, influenza has resulted in between 9 million and 45 million cases with around 140,000 to 810,000 hospitalizations and around 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. Such diseases require nucleic acid testing, which could augment growth of the nucleic acid testing market.

Developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada have shown high demand for nucleic acid testing since the healthcare system in the above-mentioned countries is robust and fairly advanced. Besides, the disposable income in these developed countries is high, which is complemented by favorable reimbursement policies. Such factors can augment growth of the nucleic acid testing market. Similarly, the demand for nucleic acid testing is rising from Asia Pacific since there is high adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies.

For all these advantages, nucleic acid testing requires skilled personnel to operate it and provide accurate results, and currently, there is a dearth of such professionals. Furthermore, the equipment used in nucleic acid testing is highly expensive and thus it would require significant capital investment. Hence, such adversities can restrict growth of the nucleic acid testing market.