Automated Microbiology Market

Market Overview

The automated microbiology market size was valued at USD 4,494.6 million in 2019 and is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 9.18% during the forecast period, 2020–2029.

The automated microbiology market is in the nascent stage and expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. Microbiology laboratories have been gaining momentum in terms of production volume, efficiency, and quality standard on account of increasing adoption of automation systems.

Automated microbiology instruments enable to achieve high standard laboratory outcomes under critical situations such as budget constraints and personnel shortages. The market players are actively working to provide customized laboratory automation systems as per the client requirements to gain a competitive edge. Laboratory results play a crucial role in almost 70% of the medical decisions, further rising the demand for automated microbiology systems to offer accurate lab results. 

Market Dynamics

Technological Advancements in Microbiology Testing

In the last few years, the microbiological testing market has been witnessing significant changes in terms of approaches used for the detection of pathogenic infections, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, among others. Technological advancements in genomics and proteomics have transformed the microbial identification and quantification procedures. Today, emerging molecular diagnostic techniques are extensively used for the early detection of pathogen-borne diseases. Recently, BioControl Systems developed the STEC Test to detect non-O157 serotype of E.coli, using molecular microbiology. Similarly, bioMeriux launched BacT/ALERT 3D Microbial Detection System to detect a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and mycobacterium.

Rising Prevalence of Infectious Diseases and Increasing Antibiotic Resistance to Prompt the Need for Automated Microbiology

Globally, the prevalence of infectious diseases has been increasing at a concerning rate. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the U.S., approximately 9,421 and 33,461 new cases of tuberculosis and Lyme diseases were diagnosed in 2018. Similarly, the rising prevalence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prompts the need for faster and sophisticated methods to identify microbial contamination.

As per the CDC, in the U.S.,  around  1.7 million hospital-acquired infections cases and 99,000 deaths are reported each year, of which urinary-tract infections, surgical-site acquired infection, and pneumonia, account for about 32%, 22%, and 15%, respectively.  Automated microbiology aids in the early detection of various pathogens that can cause life-threatening diseases such as rubella, Ebola, and influenza, among others. Mutating microorganisms and increasing antibiotic resistance prompt the need for automated microbiology across the globe.

Regional Analysis

Stringent Government Regulation and Rising Investments in R&D Activities to Drive North America’s Market

North America dominates the automated microbiology market on account of rapid technological advancements and early adoption of new technologies. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases prompts the need for advanced automated microbiological systems across the region. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S., around 15.5 million hospital visits were associated with infectious and parasitic diseases in 2017. Stringent government regulation and the presence of leading market players, such as Becton, Dickinson and Company, bioMérieux SA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., and Roche Diagnostics, bolster the regional market growth. These players are heavily investing in R&D activities to develop advanced products to sustain in the raging competition.

China and Japan to be the Frontrunners in Asia-Pacific’s Automated Microbiology Market

Asia-Pacific is projected to witness the fastest growth in the automated microbiology market on account of the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the growing demand for technologically advanced products. Japan and China are frontrunners in Asia-Pacific’s automated microbiology market as they are backed by the presence of robust technology and rising use of automated microbial testing. In India, the rising prevalence of infectious diseases has compelled the market players to develop advanced products. Apart from this, the burgeoning population and increasing disposable drive the regional market growth.

Segmental Analysis

Reagents Segment Held 60% of the Market Share in 2019

The reagents segment held about 60% of the market share in 2019 and is projected to dominate the automated microbiology market during the forecast period. The segment is further segregated into solutions, staining reagents, primers, master mixes, and kits used in various microbiological assays. The market players are heavily investing in R&D activities to attend to the rising demand for reagents and increasing costs of specialized kits, further driving the segment growth.

Increasing Demand for Automated Culture Systems in Microbial Testing to Drive the Market Growth

Automated culture systems offer enhanced productivity and quality of microbial cell lines, and play a significant role in research activities as they reduce technical errors. They are also used in laboratories to perform multiple functions, such as cell biology, cell signaling, drug discovery, and protein expression. Apart from this, the automated instruments are used in microbial testing such as spectroscopy and electron microscopes for early detection of infectious diseases.

The hospitals and diagnostic laboratories largely use automated culture systems, such as incubators, colony counters, and gram strainers, to develop advanced products. In July 2014, BioMérieux, a leading diagnostics company, announced the CE mark recognition for its product VIRTUO, which is an advanced automated culture system used for blood culture and microbial detection.

Hospital Laboratories Segment to Hold the Largest Share in the Market

The hospital laboratory segment holds the largest share in the automated microbiology market. Increasing the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) prompts the need for advanced hospital laboratories. As per the World Health Organization, the ICU-acquired infections rate is higher in developing countries than in developed countries. In Canada, about 8,000 patients die every year due to hospital-acquired infections.

Governments across the globe are channelizing efforts to raise awareness regarding HAIs and are collaborating with non-government organizations to control its prevalence. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the government of South Africa collaborate to develop national HIV clinical and research guidelines to support HIV and TB programs and conduct microbiological examination using automated equipment.

Diagnostic Laboratories Segment to Witness Lucrative Growth

The diagnostic laboratories segment is projected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period due to the increasing outsourcing of blood culture tests to diagnostic laboratories as they are equipped with advanced automated microbiological equipment, which provides accurate, reliable, and fast results.  

Impact of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has surged the demand for automated microbiology in clinical testing. The U.S.FDA has permitted the clinical microbiological examination under emergency use authorization (EUA) for accurate and faster results. The outbreak has necessitated an effective clinical examination of respiratory tract infection, further increasing the demand for automated systems significantly. Several market players across Europe have received the U.S.FDA’s emergency use authorization (EUA) and CE mark approval.

Recent Developments

• In November 2019 Becton, Dickinson, and Company launched a new Automated Preparation Solution for Microbial Identification, Kiestra™ IdentifA system, to provide accuracy and efficiency in preparing samples for microbial testing.
• In June 2018, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics unveiled DxM 6100 Autoplak Advanced System, which automates and integrates the core aspects of microbiology specimen processing, including plating and streaking, gram stain slide preparation, and enrichment broth inoculation.