Canada Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Instruments and Reagents & Kits), By Setting (Laboratory Testing and Point-of-Care (POC)), By Application (Chlamydia, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Others), By End-user (Independent Clinical Laboratories, Hospital-based Laboratories, Homecare Settings, and Others), and Forecast, 2022-2029

The Canada sexually transmitted disease testing market size was valued at USD 205.9 million in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 233.6 million in 2022 to USD 310.5 million by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with sexually transmitted disease testing experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across Canada compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the Canada sexually transmitted disease testing market exhibited a decline of -12.5% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) spread from one person to another through sexual intercourse, whereas some diseases, such as herpes and HPV, can spread through physical contact and skin-to-skin contact. Sexually transmitted diseases, in many cases do not show any symptoms but they can later cause serious health issues. The diagnosis for STDs can be done through blood, urine, and other body fluids sample testing.

There is increasing prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) such as chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, and HPV. Growing government initiatives toward increasing patient awareness about sexual health and sexually transmitted disease diagnosis are expected to boost the Canada sexually transmitted disease testing market growth.

• For instance, in 2018, the Government of Canada stated that 117,008 cases of chlamydia and 6,281 cases of infectious syphilis were recorded. Such high incidences of sexually transmitted diseases in the country is expected to boost the market growth of sexually transmitted disease testing.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Growth was Hampered Due to Decline in Demand and Supply Chain Disruptions

The emergence of COVID-19 had a negative impact on the Canada sexually transmitted diseases testing market growth. The negative impact was due to lockdown restrictions and shift of resources to control the spread of COVID-19. The Canada sexually transmitting disease testing market witnessed a decline in its growth by -12.5% in 2020 compared to the previous year.

The STD diagnosis being performed at different locations of testing, such as diagnostic centers and hospitals, declined after the COVID-19 outbreak as the resources were shifted to control the spread of COVID-19. This led to the decline in the number of STD cases being tested which increased the undiagnosed population across Canada. 

• For instance, according to the Government of Canada, in 2020, Canada recorded 9,180 cases of syphilis compared to 9,126 in 2019.


• Additionally, as per same data, in 2020, 1,693 cases of HIV were recorded, with a decline of -21.0% from the prior year.

Moreover, due to decrease in demand for sexually transmitted disease testing kits and supply chain disruptions, the sales of STD diagnostics decreased in 2020. Many market players experienced a decline in their revenues during COVID-19 pandemic.

• For instance, in 2020, the clinical diagnostic segment of Bio-Rad Laboratories experienced a decline of -7.6% in 2020 compared to 2019. The decline in the revenue of market players negatively impacted the overall market growth in 2020.

However, the market experienced significant recovery in 2021 and is expected to fully recover by 2022 due to rise in the number of untreated patient population of sexually transmitted diseases during the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

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Shift to Point-of-Care Testing for STDs to Contribute to Market Growth

One of the most critical trend in the sexually transmitted disease testing industry is the increasing shift of patient population toward point-of care testing from laboratory testing. STD diagnosis plays a key role in disease treatment and prevention of the spread of the infection from person to person.

Due to increased prevalence of STDs in the country, the government has increased its focus on creating awareness regarding the disease. Moreover, the government is also focusing on increasing the STD diagnosis rate across the country. Furthermore, the government has also been conducting research to study the efficiency of certain diagnostics for infectious diseases. 

• In March 2022, the Government of Canada released a research study report on evaluation of RevealTM Rapid TP (Treponema pallidum) Antibody test and DPP Syphilis Screen as a confirm test for syphilis testing.

Additionally, point-of-care testing is performed at various locations such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, and clinics due to various advantages associated with this diagnosis over laboratory testing. These advantages include patient mobility and time-efficient processes to get early result reports.

Therefore, various advantages associated with the point-of-care testing are expected to strengthen the market growth in the near future.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Incidence of STDs to Drive the Market Growth

The growing incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among the Canadian population is expected to accelerate the demand for sexually transmitted disease testing. 

• For instance, in 2020, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the number of infectious syphilis cases was 9,126 compared to 6,281 cases in 2018.

Moreover, the increasing initiatives by market players to launch diagnostic kits and tests are anticipated to contribute to the market growth during the forecast period.

• In July 2018, DiaSorin launched a Hepatitis Delta (HDV) test on the LIAISON KL platform, which expanded the company's product offerings in the market.

Whereas, lack of awareness in the Canadian population about the safer sexual intercourse process and inappropriate sharing of contaminated personal objects, such as used syringes and other personal belongings, are expected to increase the incidences of STDs among the population.

• For instance, according to the research by a condom brand Trojan in partnership with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and the University of Guelph, it was found that many young Canadians from aged 18-24 do not use condoms. Such people are more prone to get infected by sexually transmitted diseases.

Such increasing incidences of STDs and the launch of new products by major market players are expected to boost the market across the country.

Government Initiatives to Increase Awareness about STI Testing and Sexual Health to Boost the Market

The increasing prevalence of STDs and a considerable number of untreated patient population have increased the focus of the government of Canada on spreading awareness about the detection and diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases across the country.

• For instance, according to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) data, a week from February 14 to 18 of every year is Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week in Canada. This yearly campaign is designed to increase awareness of sexual and reproductive health and promote resources to improve community health in Canada.

Moreover, the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) stated three strategies for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV such as appropriate use of condom, use of oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) to maintain an undetectable viral load of people coming in contact with the HIV infected patient population.

Hence, such increasing government initiatives for creating awareness about STDs have increased the number of STD testing in the country.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Reluctance toward STD Testing to Limit the Market Growth

Despite various initiatives taken by the government for spreading awareness to control the spread of sexually transmitted disease in Canada, significant number of the patient population still avoid STD testing. Hence, this factor has been restricting the market growth. 

Certain factors limiting the adoption of sexually transmitted disease testing in the country include the stigma associated with sexual health and sexually transmitted disease, lack of awareness among the population, and limited availability of resources for counseling about sexual health. Additionally, treatment structure and time-consuming operations have also been restricting the patient population from getting a diagnosis and the treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

• According to an article of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in 2018, 50% of Canadians were never tested for Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI). The common reasons identified for the reluctance of Canadians were fear of a positive result, stigma, and fear of being judged and privacy concerns. Such factors are expected to limit the demand for new STD tests, thereby restricting the market growth across the country.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Analysis

Increasing Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections to Accelerate the Growth of Reagents & Kits Segment

On the basis of product, the market is segmented into instruments and reagents & kits.

The reagents & kits segment accounted for a major share of the market in 2021 and is estimated to hold a significant market share throughout the forecast period. The growth of the segment is attributed to the rising incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in Canada and increasing use of these reagents and kits in the diagnostic procedures.

• For instance, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in 2019, the number of reported cases of HIV in Canada was 2,122 as compared to 1,942 in 2015.

However, the instruments segment is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental growth is due to the rising focus of the government toward the awareness of sexually transmitted disease testing and increased installation of these instruments in hospitals and diagnostic centers.

By Setting Analysis

Increasing Number of Patients Opting for Laboratory Testing to Favor Growth

Based on setting, the market is bifurcated into laboratory testing and Point-of-Care (POC). The laboratory testing segment accounted for the maximum market share in 2021. High growth of the segment is attributed to the rising patient footfall in independent clinical laboratories for testing of STDs.

However, the point-of-care segment is estimated to have the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is attributed to the benefits offered by point-of-care testing over laboratory testing. Moreover, increasing focus of market players toward the introduction of point-of-care testing kits for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections is expected to boost the segmental growth.

By Application Analysis

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Increasing Incidences of Chlamydia to Boost the Demand for Testing During the Forecast Period

Based on application, the market is segmented into chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and others. The chlamydia segment is anticipated to dominate the market throughout the forecast period owing to increasing incidences of chlamydia and rising number of patient admissions in hospitals for chlamydia testing.

Moreover, the syphilis segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. An increasing number of Canadian population getting infected with syphilis is expected to contribute to the highest growth of the segment during the forecast period.

By End-user Analysis

Increasing Visits of the Patients in Independent Clinical Laboratories to Favor the Segmental Growth

On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into independent clinical laboratories, homecare settings, hospital-based laboratories, and others. The independent clinical laboratories segment is anticipated to register lucrative growth during the forecast period due to factors such as growing number of patient visits to independent clinical laboratories in Canada and strong presence of these laboratories in the country.

The homecare settings segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing focus of market players toward the launch of self-tests for the diagnosis of STDs in Canada is expected to enhance the segment growth during the forecast period.  

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Comprehensive Product Offerings and Strong Distribution Channels to Strengthen the Growth of Market

The competitive landscape of the market is consolidated in nature. The key players operating in the market, such as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hologic, Inc, accounted for the significant Canada sexually transmitted disease testing market share.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. is a dominant market player due to the company’s strong distribution channel and versatile product offerings of kits & reagents for sexually transmitted disease testing. For instance, in May 2022, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. expanded its diagnostic capacity through its global access program and raised global funds to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in the low-and middle-income countries which are facing higher issues of these diseases.

Whereas, other significant players include Cepheid (Danaher) and Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. These companies accounted for substantial market share and is expected to gain more market share during the forecast period. This is attributed to increasing strategic initiatives such as new product launches and increasing distributors across the country. 

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland)


• Abbott (U.S)


• BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (U.S)


• Hologic, Inc. (U.S)


• Cepheid (Danaher) (U.S.)


• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S)


• bioMérieux SA (France)


• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S)


• DiaSorin S.p.A. (Italy)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2022 - Abbott announced FDA clearances for Alinity m STI Assays to detect & differentiate four common STIs.   


• May 2022 - BD launched the new BD COR MX instrument and an analytical instrument used to detect sexually transmitted infections.


• May 2021 - F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. acquired GenMark Diagnostics, which provides molecular diagnostics solutions.


• November 2019 - Abbott announced the discovery of a new strain of HIV. This innovation has spread awareness and helped researchers to be alert to mutating viruses and avoid further health crises.


• May 2019 - F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. received FDA approval for the Cobas TV/MG test combined with the Cobas 6800/8800 system for the detection of sexually transmitted diseases.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Canada Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing Market

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The research report provides a detailed competitive landscape. It focuses on key aspects such as major companies, product, setting, application, and end-users. Additionally, it offers insights into the market trends and impact of COVID-19. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in the recent years. 

Report Scope & Segmentation