Medlab Middle East, largest medical laboratory exhibition and congress in Middle East, in collanoration with leading research firm Frost & Sullivan, has showed that global in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market has grown by 14% in 2020 to US$85.9 billion. It is up from last year’s US$ 75.2 billion. This is attributed to meeting the demand for COVID-19 testing.

IVD are tests done on samples such as blood or tissue taken from the human body and help to detect diseases or other conditions. This can be used to help cure, treat, or prevent any disease. IVD’s requirement has grown over time as a result of POCT and molecular diagnostics with global surge in COVID-19 testing.

Tom Coleman, Exhibition Director for Informa Markets, said, “According to the Frost & Sullivan report, hospital-based testing unrelated to COVID-19, which accounts for 57 percent of the IVD market, was severely impacted as a result of reduced patient volumes. However, the IVD market is expected to witness robust growth in 2021 driven by new innovations and the ramp-up of rapid COVID-19 tests and the resumption of routine testing.”

“There are an anticipated four key growth areas for the POCT industry. We have already seen a rise in demand for rapid, economical, easy-to-use POCT devices for infectious disease diagnostics in the UAE to free up resources and monitor containment efforts. Other key areas that represent the biggest opportunities for growth are the adoption of managed clinical services in the region’s hospitals, smart labs-as-a-service for automation of laboratory services and the need for next-generation sequencing testing for genetic testing,” added Coleman.

On June 21, the Medlab Middle East Congress will host a dedicated session that would focus on the challenges in laboratory management resulting from COVID-19 and explore challenges faced by clinical laboratories, from initial testing and diagnosis to patient monitoring and treatment. The conference will offer opportunity for global experts and leading voices in arenas like SARS-CoV-2 virology, immunology, vaccines, clinical care, therapeutic guidelines, and trials to frame development and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With this in mind, we have developed a conference programme designed to include the latest science on COVID-19 and its impact on healthcare in the region – with perspectives on different types of tests, vaccines, and ongoing research – as well as how lab specialists can work together for the benefit of a brighter tomorrow,” said Coleman.

Medlab Middle East will take place from 21 - 24 June at the Dubai World Trade Centre and would coincide with Arab Health. It is hoped to attract various key laboratory and trade professionals from the region for the event that is both live and in-person. The event will feature keynote speeches and scientific lectures, industry briefings, product demonstrations and networking opportunities, along with series of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. A virtual showcase will take place from 23 May – 22 July.

WAM