Blood Group Typing Market

Market Overview

The global blood group typing market size was valued at USD 3,716.40 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 8,619.79 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.80% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Blood group typing is a diagnostic test determining an individual's blood type. Knowing the individual's blood group is crucial because not all blood types are compatible. Blood groups are determined by the antigens found on the surface of red blood cells. Antigens are substances that aid the body in distinguishing between its cells and potentially harmful foreign cells. The ABO system, used in blood type lab tests, divides the blood into four common categories A, B, AB, and O. In addition, the red blood cells' Rh status, which is determined by a second mechanism called the Rh system, is also determined. Those who are carriers of the Rh factor are considered to be Rh+. A mismatch can cause a severe immunogenic reaction that can be fatal. Hence it is crucial to understand both the ABO and Rh types. Blood group typing is frequently performed during pregnancy when tissue transplants and blood transfusions are necessary.

Highlights

• The PCR-based and microarray technique dominates the techniques segment
• The antibody screening dominates the test type segment
• Blood Banks dominates the end-user segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Number of Blood Donations 

There has been an increase in blood donations in recent years. According to data from WHO, voluntary unpaid blood donations have significantly increased in low- and middle-income countries. Between 2013 and 2018, 156 countries had a rise of 7.8 million voluntary, unpaid blood donations. Africa and the Americas Region have seen the biggest increases in voluntary unpaid blood donations (25 and 23 percent, respectively). Further, the Western Pacific Region (2.67 million donations) saw the largest rise in absolute numbers, followed by the Americas (2.66 million donations) and South-East Asia (2.37 million). Moreover, due to growing standards for blood safety and availability, the test for blood group typing will also increase.

Growth in Blood Transfusion Therapies 

Transfusion therapy is integral to the treatment of several diseases and blood disorders. RBC transfusions, platelet transfusions, and plasma transfusions are some treatments that have widespread adoption and are still being improved upon to adapt to the needs of a shifting illness landscape. The increasing incidence of infectious diseases largely drives the growth of these transfusion therapies. Likewise, the rising occurrence of cancer that requires a high amount of blood for chemotherapy has enhanced the growth of blood transfusion therapies. Inherited blood diseases, like sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, also affect millions of people.

Additionally, the rising incidence of accidents and growing prenatal blood transfusions propel the demand for blood transfusions worldwide. According to the American National Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. These conditions are generating a high demand for blood transfusions and subsequently driving the growth of this market globally. Moreover, blood grouping is one of the essential aspects of blood transfusion practice. Making sure that the donor's blood is compatible with the patient's blood to minimize reactions during a transfusion and avoid any catastrophic consequences is important during transfusions. Therefore, with rising blood transfusion, blood group typing will gain increased demand over the forecast period.

Market Restraint

Critical Shortage of Medical Laboratory Professionals in Several Middle-Income and Low-Income Countries

The critical shortage of healthcare workers in countries such as India, Brazil, Africa, and several low-income Middle Eastern countries is among the largest hurdle the public health sector faces in the modern era. The crisis impacts nearly every aspect of public health in these nations, including the demand for blood group typing. However, as several countries are making efforts to address this shortage of medical personnel through international policy implementations and regional programs, the impact of this factor is anticipated to remain low.

In addition, the lack of proper medical facilities, storage, and quality of services acts as barriers to the growth of the healthcare thawing system market in developing regions. Moreover, less sophisticated hospitals and medical laboratories in emerging economies are reluctant to invest in advanced blood grouping systems that, in turn, hamper the growth of the market.

Market Opportunities

Transforming Healthcare Infrastructure in Emerging Markets

In the upcoming years, hospitals in emerging markets will achieve significant mid-tier and rural growth via new hospital construction, expansion, and partnerships. Large hospitals networked with local clinics will multiply to treat mass patient populations in the coming years. This will provide neonatal care, integrative cancer treatment, and cardiac surgery and even serve as medical tourism destinations where outcomes exceed Western standards at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, patients' expectations will radically change along with the rise in patient education and early diagnostics of diseases. Therefore, transforming healthcare in emerging and highly populated markets such as China and India will create beneficial opportunities for players operating in the global market.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global blood group typing market is bifurcated based on region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW. 

North America is the most significant global blood group typing market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.91% over the forecast period. The global market in the North American region is witnessing high growth due to the surging number of road accidents and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. The Organization for Safe International Road Travel estimates that over 38,000 persons die on US roads yearly. There are 12.4 road fatalities for every 100,000 people in the United States. Similarly, direct medical expenses from traffic accidents cost the United States more than USD 380 million.

Furthermore, there is a growing demand for blood transfusion in the United States. The American National Red Cross estimates that over 36,000 units of RBCs are required each day and that approximately 21 million blood components are transfused in the United States annually. Blood typing is desperately needed in each of the situations above, and the market will expand as more of these situations arise. The large market share held by several well-known companies in North America is favorable for expanding the global market.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.36% over the forecast period. Due to the rapid market expansion in countries like the United Kingdom and France, Europe has a sizable potential for market growth. The driving aspect for the growth of the European global market includes the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increased healthcare spending, and strong R&D initiatives from market players. In addition, Europe is considered the most crucial market for blood group typing services and products due to the presence of various reimbursement ventures for various surgeries and several chronic diseases. As per the Global Cancer Observatory, the number of new incident cancer cases for 2018 was 4.2 million, and the deaths surpassed 1.94 million in Europe. Other factors are also attributed to the increasing incidence of cancer in Europe, i.e., unhealthy lifestyles and unsuitable diets, obesity, and a lack of physical activity. Hence, the rising incidence and prevalence of cancer will expedite the growth of the global market in Europe during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is predicted to experience the greatest growth in the blood group typing industry. The market in the region is most expected to be driven by China, India, and Japan. Due to the region's rapidly expanding healthcare sector and the strong demand for blood group typing, mostly from countries with dense populations, this market is anticipated to have enormous growth opportunities. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the quickest CAGR because of the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses requiring blood group typing. The surging incidence of infectious diseases is a major concern in this region, driving the market growth. Furthermore, India ranks 1st in the number of road accident deaths across the 199 republics reported in the World Road Statistics, 2018, followed by China and the US. According to the WHO Global Report on Road Safety 2018, India has almost 11% of the accident-related deaths globally. This, in turn, boosts the global market in the Asia Pacific region.

The RoW comprises the Middle East and Africa, and South America region. The government initiatives for creating awareness regarding proper healthcare facilities also bolstered the demand for blood group typing in the South American region. Rapidly aging South American countries will grow remarkably for the global market. On the other hand, the Egyptian market is expected to develop steadily in the Middle East and African markets throughout the forecasted period owing to the increasing healthcare facility. In addition, rising incidences of cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, and other diseases that require proper management in a medical facility across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries drive the expansion of the market in the Middle East and Africa region. However, the RoW region is projected to witness a relatively lower CAGR during the projection period because of the shortage of awareness among the general population about blood transfusion safety and the presence of massive underpenetrated markets in these regions.

Segmental Analysis

The global blood group typing market is bifurcated into techniques, test types, product types, and end-user.

Based on techniques, the global market is bifurcated into PCR-based and microarray techniques, massively parallel sequencing, assay-based techniques, and others. 

The PCR-based and microarray technique segment dominates the global market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.51% over the forecast period. With the help of PCR-based and microarray, medical professionals can resolve weak, indistinguishable, and unexpected serological findings. Blood typing with PCR-based and microarray techniques provide the genetic information in the DNA of the donor or the recipient, which helps to interpret the structure of the antigen on the erythrocyte surface. Blood typing with such techniques offers fast results and cost-effective solutions. Due to such factors, the segment will register rapid growth over the forecast period.

Based on test type, the global market is divided into human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, antibody screening, ABO blood tests, cross-matching series, and antigen typing. 

The antibody screening segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.50% over the forecast period. Red blood cells carry several carbohydrate and protein antigens on their surface. More than 600 antigens are separated in the system of 30 blood groups. A person exposed to blood with different antigens can form antibodies. In addition, a mandatory test during pregnancy is an antibody screening or antibody test, which checks for any antibody, special proteins made by the immune system, in the blood.

Moreover, the 'type and screen policy' involves the prior determination of the patient's blood group and antibody screening at admission. This provides enough time for the blood banks to arrange blood in an emergency. It also provides several advantages to the patient, clinician, hospital management, and stakeholders. Owing to all these factors, there is an upsurge in the market growth in this segment.

Based on product type, the global market is divided into instruments, services, and consumables. 

The consumables segment owns the largest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.14% over the forecast period. The demand for consumables for blood group typing is increasing rapidly. Factors such as the growth rate of blood donations, increasing need for blood transfusions, and strict regulations for blood tests are triggering the demand for a blood test and blood group typing assay consumables such as antisera reagents, red blood cell reagents, anti-human globulin reagents, blood bank saline, and other test reagents all around the world.

Based on end-user, the global market is bifurcated into clinical laboratories, blood banks, hospitals, and others. 

The blood banks segment dominates the global market and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 10.29% during the forecast period. The blood banks segment is also one of the majority shareholders owing to the growing number of blood banks, growing awareness about donation, and an increased number of voluntary donors worldwide. The dominance is predominantly due to the high thawing system usage in these blood banks. As stated by the WHO, there are 13,300 blood centers in 169 countries, collecting a total of 106 million donations. The increasing number of these institutes and donations is anticipated to foster overall market growth.

Furthermore, the growing investments by the private sector led to a rise in blood banks in developed and emerging countries. Due to the extensive use of blood type and illness screening services before transfusion therapy, the market for blood banks is predicted to experience significant expansion.

Recent Developments

• June 2022- Grifols, a world leader in the development of plasma-derived therapies and innovative diagnostic solutions, announced today that its Procleix Plasmodium Assay had received the CE mark, the first for an automated nucleic acid test (NAT) system validated for screening blood donors for malaria.

• July 2022- Quotient Limited entered into a contract with InfYnity Biomarkers to add blood screening tests to MosaiQ's infectious disease menu.