Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market

Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market Outlook

As per the new swab and viral transport medium market attractiveness analysis of FMI, the global market could reach about US$ 8.86 billion at the end of 2023. The market is projected to register a 5.8% CAGR and top a valuation of US$ 15.60 billion by 2033.

The swab and viral transport medium market has seen a significant increase in demand in recent times, primarily because the number of tests and laboratory investigations has reached an all-time high during the COVID-19 epidemic.

While the pandemic is now driving the market expansion, key players are increasingly focusing on the development of improved testing techniques such as rapid antigen testing and molecular assay studies, which is likely to help to sustain demand over time. In addition, the advancement in diagnosis of these viruses require microbiological culture swab and transport medium to preserve and later identify the viral growth. Thus, the sale of swab and viral transport medium increased to perform these experiments.

The lower and affordable cost of swab and viral transport medium is one of the key aspects contributing to its success across the world. They have become affordable due to assistance from various governmental and nonprofit organizations.

The throat swabs market and the swab and viral transport medium market are closely tied to those for throat swabs. This market covers nasal swabs, buccal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and oropharyngeal swabs in addition to throat swabs. The COVID-19 pandemic is one of several causes driving the demand for throat swabs. The epidemic has resulted in a spike in diagnostic supplies globally, notably throat swabs.

The swab test equipment market and the VTM market are anticipated to continue to develop and change as the need for trustworthy and accurate diagnostic testing increases. Changes in healthcare practices and legislation as well as the continued demand for efficient infectious disease management strategies are what drive both markets. Technology developments, such as the creation of point-of-care testing tools that enable quick and precise diagnosis, have an impact on the sales of swab testing equipment as well.

The leading manufacturers of swab and viral transport medium market are seeking approval for their products in different regions for product launch. It is likely to help in enhancing their product footprint across the globe.

Products that has not been approved in any of the regions, such as North America or Europe, are being evaluated for launch in semi-regulated markets such as India, China, and Brazil, which hold a higher potential for revenue generation. Local manufacturing of swab and viral medium is preferred, over import from leading manufacturing countries amid pandemic crisis. For instance, a real-time PCR kit fused in the detection of SARS-COV-2, which was earlier called 2019-nCoV was launched by Vircell in February 2020.

Different regional manufacturers are focusing for partnerships with larger swab and viral transport medium market players to enhance their product offering in different countries. As a result, there is an increasing demand of swab and viral transport medium seen during the forecast period.

As the demand for COVID-19 testing continues, the swab testing device market has experienced significant growth. As long as there is a demand for testing and diagnosing viral infections, the market is anticipated to keep growing. The creation of novel and cutting-edge swab testing tools, such as those that can deliver quick results or are appropriate for testing at home, is also anticipated to fuel market expansion.

How The Market Progressed Till 2022?

The global swab and viral transport medium market is expected to decline by 06 basis point share (BPS) in H1-2022 (O) in terms of growth rate when compared with H1-2021. Further comparison of H1-2022 outlook and H1-2022 projected period show the market growth to dip by nearly 10 BPS, according to Future Market Insights' estimate.

The quality control of swabs is not anticipated to be done routinely by frontline laboratories, according to CLSI standard M40-A2. This is one of the primary causes for the drop in BPS. As a result, swabs and VTM from unregistered manufacturers need to be evaluated.

In the global swab and viral transport medium market, FMI gives a comparative study of market growth rates and development prospects. Regulatory approvals and quality system guidelines, as well as the impact of macro and industrial factors, have an impact on the market.

A noteworthy advancement in this industry is the large-scale, in-house manufacturing of viral transport media to assist SARS-COV-2 PCR testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the second half of the projection period, other market categories are expected to do fairly well and have excellent growth possibilities. The establishment of set standard operating procedures for producing viral transport medium is one of the important factors driving the industry's growth.

2018 to 2022 Market Demand Outlook for Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market Compared to 2023 to 2033 Forecast

The swab and viral transport market is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2023 to 2033 in comparison to a 5.6% CAGR registered from 2018 to 2022. The demand for swab and viral transport medium is increasing significantly due to rapid increase in flu in various regions.

Various governments are also increasing awareness about flu, as well as initiatives undertaken by organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), etc. These awareness programs are directly linked to the rise in number of testing. For instance, according to 2020 data of HealthyPeople.gov, there are more than 25 million people in the United States suffering from asthma.

The average time required for the manufacturing of swab and viral transport medium and ensuring their availability in the market is around 6 months, however, the swab and viral transport mediums is manufactured and launched in the market in a period of around a few months only (around 3 months).

There are acquisition and collaborations done by the key players in swab and viral transport medium market to improve their presence in other regions of the world. For instance, in June 2018, McKesson Corporation acquired Medical Specialties distributors to support the company's manufacturing services and specialty. This acquisition allowed the company to provide incremental services to other segments of the market also.

The enhanced focus of various government officials across the globe for controlling the spread of infectious diseases can be greatly attributed to the incidence of various pandemics in the past few decades. This is forcing the countries to take preventive and diagnostic measure to limit their outbreak, especially that of the influenza, Adenovirus, coronavirus pandemic. During the forecast period, the market is expected to present several growth opportunities.

• Short Term (2023 to 2026): The market is expected to experience a boost during this period owing to the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, coupled with the increasing demand for diagnostic testing. With the growing awareness of the importance of early disease detection and diagnosis, there is a rising need for reliable and accurate collection and transportation of biological samples. As a result, manufacturers in this market are likely to experience a surge in sales.
• Medium Term (2026 to 2029): During this timeframe, the market is anticipated to grow as a result of the increasing use of these products in research and development activities. As a result, manufacturers are exploring new ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of swabs and viral transport media. Moreover, the rising focus on personalized medicine, drug discovery, and genomics is driving demand for high-quality swabs and viral transport media that can preserve the integrity of biological samples during storage and transportation. These factors are likely to open up significant growth opportunities.
• Long Term (2029 to 2033): In the long run, the market is projected to continue expanding owing to the increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and the rising demand for point-of-care testing. Moreover, with an increasing emphasis on public health and safety, governments and healthcare organizations are investing heavily in diagnostic technologies and testing capabilities. This is likely to drive long-term growth in the market as manufacturers cater to the growing demand for high-quality diagnostic tools.

These factors are anticipated to support about a 1.8X increase in the swabs and viral transport medium market between 2023 and 2033. The market is projected to be worth US$ 15.60 billion by the end of 2033, according to FMI analysts.

Sabyasachi Ghosh

Principal Consultant

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What are the leading factors that limit the market growth?

The growth of the swab and viral transport medium market is limited by unfavorable regulatory scenarios which limit the expansion of regional players in the market. In addition, the unpredictable nature of seasonal influenza and other infections varied largely estimated by WHO which occasionally are exaggerated that could lead to create demand and supply gap.

The uncertain nature of the incidence of the infections has led to the adoption of a conservative approach by various test-manufacturing companies that leads to lower supply even in the pandemic or follow-up outbursts. These factors are hampering the growth of the market during the forecast period by 2030.

What are the Key Opportunities for Swab and Viral Transport Medium Manufacturers?

The manufacturers have great opportunity to grow in this swab and viral transport medium market by increasing awareness about the importance of testing for infection detection across the world. This is likely to create significant revenue-generation opportunities during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.

Different governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) put extra efforts to spread awareness and create swabs and viral transport medium in developing and underdeveloped nations, which is also expected to boost the market. For instance, in May 2020, Sree Chitra Triunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) which comes under the DST, Government of India, developed two types of swabs and viral transport medium from nasal and oral for COVID-19 testing. Thus, similar activities by other organizations can create further opportunities for the swab and viral transport medium manufacturers in the coming years.

Exploring the Global Landscape of Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market: Country-wise Analysis Reveals Key Insights

What Makes the United States the Leading Market for Swab and Viral Transport Medium?

The United States swab and viral transport medium market emerged as the leading market. This is primarily due to the enhancement in the availability of new diagnostic tests and drugs as over-the-counter (OTC) products in pharmacies and retail shops in the country to support the American population to fight against the COVID-19. For instance, in December 2020, the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test gained the United States Food and Drug Administration approval for an emergency use authorization (EUA) as the first over-the-counter (OTC) fully at-home diagnostic test for COVID-19.

The extensive testing infrastructure in the country, which has been instrumental in the early detection and containment of infectious diseases, also drives market growth. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has expedited the nation's need for better swabs and viral delivery media. With the large-scale testing and vaccination campaigns underway, the need for reliable and efficient sample collection and transportation methods has become paramount.

The United States is home to several leading manufacturers and suppliers of swab and viral transport mediums. With the sake of raising the caliber and effectiveness of their products, many businesses have made large investments in research and development. They are thus in high demand in the global market. In addition, rise in rapid product capabilities and increased manufacturing capacity of the swab and viral transport medium manufacturers also contributed into the growth of the market.

Why is the Germany Considered a Lucrative Market for Swab and Viral Transport Medium?

The key factor influencing the Germany swab and viral transport medium market is the country’s robust healthcare system. It places a high value on quality medical supplies and technologies. German consumers have a high demand for premium swabs and viral transport mediums, making the country a valuable market for producers and suppliers. Furthermore, Germany's sizable and expanding population adds to the country's market appeal for items like viral transport mediums and swabs. With a population of more than 84 million, the nation serves as a substantial market for medical equipment and supplies.

Several notable institutions and research centers are located in Germany. For their numerous scientific investigations and clinical trials, these call for dependable and top-notch swabs and viral transport mediums. Germany's market is impacted by its strict regulatory environment. To guarantee the efficacy and safety of medicinal items, the nation has strict rules in place. This fosters an atmosphere that is advantageous for suppliers and manufacturers that uphold these high standards.

The key players of the country are primarily involved in acquiring other brands for improving their presence with wider product portfolio and geographic presence and increased product capabilities, which helped them in providing improved manufacturing capacity of the swab and viral transport medium. For instance, in February 2020, the Deltalab Group had acquired a bulk stake in the shareholders of Equilabo Scientific Company. This acquisition helped the Deltalab group to enhance their offerings from Equilabo’s specialty.

What are the Factors Fueling the Demand for Swab and Viral Transport Medium in China?

The China swab and viral transport medium market is fueled by a multitude of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has raised the demand for diagnostic testing and screening procedures, has been one of the main triggers. Swabs and viral transport mediums are particularly in demand as a result of this. In addition to the pandemic, disease prevention and control have received more attention in China. The need for medical equipment and supplies has increased as a result.

The increasing prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases in China has created a need for diagnostic tools to facilitate accurate and timely diagnoses. Moreover, the rapid growth of the population coupled with the aging demographic has increased the need for medical supplies and equipment, including swabs and viral transport mediums. As a result, the demand for these products has been on the rise.

Due to increasing number of people suffering from flu, the demand for swab and viral transport medium increases to test and confirm the type of viral infection. According to Nature publication by Jing Li, Yinzi Chen, Xiling Wang & Hongjie Yu, 122.79 per 100,000 persons in China suffered from influenza, it being the main reason associated with the high mortality rates.

What is the Future Outlook for the United Kingdom Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market?

The market in the United Kingdom is primarily driven by the demand for diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge increase in demand and market growth. The market expansion has been further supported by the rising awareness among medical professionals of the significance of employing high-quality swabs and viral transport mediums for accurate diagnosis and disease management.

The demand for swabs and VTMs is likely to remain high as the government in the United Kingdom continues its effort to control the spread of any other viruses. The growing demand for these items has been influenced by proactive steps taken by the government and commercial healthcare organizations to improve illness surveillance and extend testing capabilities. To assure sufficient supplies for testing, they also pushed to enhance the manufacturing and distribution of these items. Therefore, the market is likely to continue to grow owing to the ongoing need for infectious disease testing and surveillance.

What is the Current State of the Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market in Canada?

The Canada swab and viral transport medium market has witnessed significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Swab and viral transport media, which are essential for gathering and transferring samples for COVID-19 testing, have seen an increase in demand as a result of the need for COVID-19 testing.

The Canadian government has also made investments in local production capacity to solve the scarcity of swabs and viral delivery media. In May 2020, the government announced US$ 4 million funding in for a project led by SQI Diagnostics to build a Canada-made COVID-19 test kit, which contains a swab and viral transport medium.

Swabs and viral transport media are also employed in other diagnostic tests, such as those for influenza and other respiratory disorders, in addition to COVID-19 testing. This implies that there could probably still be a market for these goods even after the COVID-19 epidemic has passed.

How the Swab and Viral Transport Medium market is expand across India?

The key manufacturers are expanding their business in the country to meet the rising demand of the swab and viral transport medium of increasing population with infectious diseases. India provides great opportunity to enhance the distribution of products due to its large population affected by COVID-19 since 2020.

Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market: Unfolding Market Dynamics through Segment-wise Analysis

Why are Viral Swabs the Top Product Type of Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market?

Viral swabs are a highly popular product type in the market owing to their vital function in the diagnosis of viral infections. These swabs are made to effectively capture and preserve viral samples from patients so they can be taken to a lab and examined there. Swabs have improved significantly over time, with developments such as double-ended flocked swabs, kits with integrated vials, and so on, all of which have aided the expansion of the swab and viral transport medium market. Virus swab increased the frequency of detection of each respiratory virus.

In this regard, other types of swabs for various infections, which including nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and throat swabs, are likely to continue to provide significant income potential which leads to account for top share in the market. Viral swabs are widely used because of their accuracy and ease to use. They are more successful at gathering samples than other kinds of swabs since they are particularly made to target virus particles in the body.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly raised the demand for viral swabs, which has increased the need for rapid and reliable viral testing. The nasopharyngeal swabs market, as a result, experienced significant growth during that period. To accommodate the rising demand, manufacturers have increased the output of viral swabs and transport media.

The deep nasal swabs market, a part of the larger viral swabs market, also witnessed rapid growth, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deep nasal swabs have been extensively used in testing for COVID-19 owing to their high precision and capability to detect the virus in asymptomatic individuals.

Why are Hospitals & ASCs the Primary End-user of Swab and Viral Transport Mediums?

Hospitals & ASCs are the principal healthcare institutions where patients with suspected or proven infectious diseases are treated. This is predominantly seen owing to the high number of patient visits in hospitals & ASCs suffering from viral diseases for seeking treatment, rising the demand for swab and viral transport medium for proper diagnosis. These institutions are frequently in charge of testing and diagnosing infectious diseases. They are typically the initial point of contact for individuals seeking medical assistance.

Hospitals & ASCs require a consistent supply of swabs and viral transport medium to collect and transport samples for testing. The culture swab market, therefore, has seen steady growth lately, driven by the rise in demand for diagnostic testing and the increasing occurrence of infectious diseases. Cultural swabs are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories for the diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections.

Hospitals & ASCs are also in charge of treating patients who have been identified as having infectious diseases. They need to have the tools on hand to promptly identify and treat patients as well as safeguard healthcare professionals from potential infectious agent exposure. Therefore, the swabs and viral transport mediums are primarily distributed to hospitals & ASCs to guarantee the prompt and correct diagnosis of infections.

Which Application is Likely to be the Highly Preferred?

Adenoviruses are commonly observed viruses that cause a range of illness including cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, bronchitis, and others. On the other hand, Varicella zoster virus are responsible for causing highly contagious disease such as chicken pox. Therefore, to diagnose or treat these illnesses, proper detection of these viruses are required that can be done using swab and viral transport medium. Thereby, leading to account for top share in the market by application.

Race of Dominance: Competitive Landscape Analysis of Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market

Companies in the swab and viral transport medium market are pursuing new product innovation and launches, regulatory approvals and company expansions as the key strategies.

Key manufacturers are aiming on development of advance and cost effective products, establishing distribution agreement to increase geographic presence, especially in developing or emerging region. In addition, they are targeting Asia Pacific region by establishing manufacturing unit in order to reduce manufacturing cost.

Top Market Players and their Recent Developments in Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market

Cardinal Health: It provides performance and data solutions for healthcare institutions, distributes medications, and produces and distributes medical and laboratory items. Moreover, it runs cyclotron and nuclear pharmacies, as well as produces its own range of privately branded medical and surgical supplies. Logistics, product, business, and patient solutions make up its four main areas of specialization. Retail clients such as chain and independent pharmacies, pharmacy stores in mass merchandisers and supermarkets, hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, doctor's offices, clinical labs, and alternative healthcare providers are among its clientele.

• In June 2022, Cardinal Health and Zipline revealed that the two firms began long-range drone deliveries in North Carolina. Its launch comes after a fruitful pilot period and after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Zipline Part 135 certification. To assist prevent the possibility of inventory stock-outs and lower obstacles for patients to obtain the necessary supplies to satisfy their requirements, Cardinal Health is collaborating with Cannon Pharmacy Main, an independent pharmacy chain that services places in North Carolina, to supply different pharmaceutical products and medical supplies.
• In February 2022, Cardinal Health declared that it's going to make use of the Kinaxis RapidResponse technology to improve supply chain agility and visibility of medicinal products.

• In August 2021, Cardinal Health collaborated with Abbott and Quidel to offer rapid OTC COVID-19 tests.

McKesson Corp (McKesson): Pharmaceutical distribution, healthcare services, and information technology solutions are all offered by McKesson. The business sells prescription medications, medical supplies, and cosmetics. Moreover, it provides pharmacy operations, automation solutions, medication buying management, pharmacy group purchasing, reimbursement for pharmacy claims, audit risk mitigation, patient adherence and wellness, alternate site pharmacy solutions, pharmacy consulting, and pharmacy technology. McKesson provides medical-surgical solutions to healthcare professionals as well as pharmaceutical and specialty solutions to retail, hospital, alternate site, and participating pharmacies in the United States that operate under franchise agreements and brand partnerships.

• In October 2022, at Jeffersonville, Ohio, which is positioned in the middle of the state between Cincinnati and Columbus, McKesson established a brand-new cutting-edge pharmaceutical distribution facility. The new factory is intended to supply consumer packaged goods (CPG), over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and home healthcare items to clients in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
• In May 2020, Free COVID-19 test collection has been made available by Health Mart® pharmacies in a few locations around the country. The neighborhood pharmacies in the Health Mart chain carefully offered underprivileged and rural communities testing alternatives. Health Mart's relationship with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer free testing to the public is made possible in large part by the fact that 60% of its pharmacies serve low-income areas. To solve the COVID-19 situation, Health Mart, a subsidiary of the McKesson Corporation, is committed to forging cutting-edge public and private collaborations.

• In June 2018, McKesson Corporation acquired Medical Specialties distributors for expanding its services and specialty and allowed the company to provide incremental services to other customer segments.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD): Through enhancing medical discovery, diagnostics, and care delivery, BD, one of the significant global providers of medical technology, is transforming the world of healthTM. By creating cutting-edge technology, services, and solutions that increase both clinical processes for healthcare practitioners and clinical therapy for patients, the firm helps the unsung heroes on the front lines of healthcare. To tackle a variety of difficult global health concerns, BD collaborates with organizations all over the world and has a presence in nearly every nation.

• In June 2022, following the IVD directive 98/79/EC, BD announced that the BD MAXTM Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP), a novel molecular diagnostic combination test for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A + B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), has received CE marking. To identify whether a patient has COVID-19, the flu, or RSV, the test employs a single nose swab or a single nasopharyngeal swab sample.
• In May 2022, the second test available for the BD CORTM PX/MX System to have been CE approved in accordance with the IVD directive 98/79/EC was recently released by BD as a novel high-throughput molecular diagnostic combination test for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B. The BD SARS-CoV-2/Flu assay for the BD CORTM System is an automated multiplexed real-time RT-PCR test to detect and distinguish SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, and/or influenza B, from a single nasal sample from patients who are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory viral infection, as well as those who are asymptomatic.

• In August 2021, BD received authorization for first At-Home COVID-19 test for emergency use. The BD Veritor™ provide At-Home COVID-19 test that can be used through a simple, pain-free nasal swab and an easy-to-use mobile app.

Other Key Players Operating in the Swab and Viral Transport Market

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Quidel Corporation
• COPAN Diagnostics Inc.
• VIRCELL S.L., Deltalab
• Titan Biotech Ltd.
• Medical Wire & Equipment

Swab and Viral Transport Medium Market by Category

By Product:

• Viral Transport Medium
  • Tissue Culture Medium
  • Glycerol Transport Medium
• Virus Swabs
  • Nasopharyngeal Swabs
  • Deep Nasal Swabs
  • Combined Nasal & Throat Swabs
  • Culture Swabs
  • Vaginal Swabs

By Application:

• Influenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Mumps Virus
• Adenovirus
• Rhinovirus
• Herpes Simplex Virus
• Varicella-Zoster Virus
• Other Indication

By End User:

• Hospitals & ASCs
• Specialty Clinics
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)