Middle East Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Analysis

The Middle East Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) Market size stood at around xx Bn in 2023 and is projected to reach US $xx Bn by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period.

The Middle East Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) Market Analysis Executive Summary

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is a laboratory procedure which is used to determine which antimicrobial impedes the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganism causing a specific infection. Once the microorganisms have been recovered in a specimen culture, susceptibility testing is carried out on the bacteria and fungi responsible for the infection.

Antibacterial medications are crucial for preventing infectious infections; however drug resistance has developed as a result of drug abuse and overuse. Controlling the spread of infectious diseases becomes challenging when dangerous bacteria are not identified in a timely manner. This is increasing the pressure on the major businesses to produce test kits that yield precise and useful results so that patients can be treated more effectively.

Testing is done to see if microorganisms have become resistant to any particular antibiotic and to assess the possible efficacy of antibiotics on germs. Healthcare practitioners can choose the medication that is most likely to be helpful in treating that specific infection with the aid of the test findings, which can provide access to improved clinical diagnoses.

Market Dynamics for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market in Middle East

Market Growth Drivers Analysis

Over the projected market, it is anticipated that major companies will increasingly employ inorganic development tactics, like product launches, to propel market expansion. The medical technology company Sysmex Corporation, for example, recently announced the launch of a point-of-care testing system in Europe that can identify an individual's resistance to antibiotics in as little as half an hour. Urine samples from patients suspected of having urinary tract infections (UTIs) are used by the system to detect the presence or absence of bacteria and evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics. The device performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using a special and proprietary microfluidic technique. Comparing the multiple days needed for conventional AST to as little as 30 minutes from the beginning of measurement, it shows a significant reduction.

The Middle East Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) market is expanding as a result of this move away from traditional techniques and toward cutting-edge diagnostic platforms. Simple, easy-to-use systems that are appropriate for both point-of-care and routine testing in core laboratories are being introduced by diagnostic businesses on a regular basis. The AST uptake is being further increased by the development of platforms that integrate the sample-to-result workflow and yield findings that are equivalent to reference procedures. Therefore, as technology advances, it plays a significant role in enhancing antibiotic stewardship by addressing some of the shortcomings of current approaches.

Opportunity

 Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is undergoing a revolution thanks to developments in automation and molecular diagnostic methods. Rapid diagnostic assays that identify genetic markers of drug resistance straight from clinical samples are replacing traditional AST approaches based on culture and phenotypic detection. Resistance can now be detected in a matter of hours rather than days because to technologies like whole genome sequencing, mass spectrometry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA microarrays. Simultaneously, completely automated AST systems are decreasing labor and turnaround times, increasing productivity, and standardizing test outcomes. 

Market Restraints

One of the main issues with antimicrobial susceptibility testing is the delay that occurs between the definition of clinical breakpoints, the approval of innovative antimicrobial treatments, and the release of these medications onto the Middle East antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) market. The FDA establishes certain thresholds when drug companies submit applications for new medications that are denied. The absence of clinical breakpoints for some drugs further hinders the adoption of antimicrobial susceptibility solutions. For instance, no clinical cutoffs are known to assess the effectiveness of antifungal treatment for invasive mold infections other than Aspergillus infections.

Automatic antimicrobial laboratory equipment is very expensive and offers the best features and capabilities. Automated AST systems reduce the durations of incubation and detection. Another obstacle facing this industry is the high cost of maintenance for these devices, which come with state-of-the-art software that needs to be updated on a regular basis.

Competitive Landscape for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market in Middle East

Key Players

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Alifax S.r.l.
• Creative Diagnostics
• Resistell AG
• Danaher
• BD
• Merck KGaA
• BIOMÉRIEUX
• HiMedia Laboratories
• Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.
• Zhuhai DL Biotech Co., Ltd.
• ELITechGroup
• Sysmex Corporation
• Copan Diagnostics Inc.
• Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
• Bruker
• Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Recent Developments and Mergers and Acquisitions

In May 2022, the biotechnology business Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc. stated that it was highlighted at BioMed Israel. Qualigen recently entered into definitive agreements to acquire a majority position in NanoSynex Ltd. The goal of NanoSynex's Innovative Technology is to six-fold the turnaround time for antimicrobial susceptibility test findings.

In April 2022, at the 32nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2022)., the healthcare business Copan Diagnostics Inc. showcased its array of completely automated solutions for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) in clinical microbiology. The FDA-approved Colibri, a completely automated specimen workup tool meant to produce bacterial suspensions for AST testing and prepare MALDI-TOF ID targets, was showcased by COPAN.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market in Middle East

Policy changes and Reimbursement scenario

AST products and technologies are likely regulated by bodies like the FDA (US), EMA (EU), and other national/regional regulatory authorities. These regulators set guidelines and standards for the development, validation, and commercialization of AST solutions to ensure safety, efficacy, and accuracy. Reimbursement for AST procedures by public and private payers can impact the adoption and utilization of these tests. Favorable reimbursement policies that cover the costs of AST can drive greater uptake, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Many healthcare systems have implemented antimicrobial stewardship programs that promote the appropriate use of antibiotics. AST plays a crucial role in these programs by guiding clinicians on the selection of the most effective antimicrobial therapy.

Policies and regulations around infection prevention and control in healthcare settings can influence the demand for AST to monitor and manage hospital-acquired infections. Governments and regulatory bodies may offer incentives, grants, or other programs to support the research and development of innovative AST technologies.