Germany Hepatitis C Testing Market Size, Share & Analysis, By Test Types (HCV Serologic Tests (HCV Ab), HCV RNA Tests, and HCV Genotype Tests), By Technology Type (ELISA, and PCR), By End User (Hospitals, Diagnostics Labs, and Others) and Forecast, 2020-2027

The Germany hepatitis C testing market size was USD 106.8 million in 2019. The impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering on Germany, with the hepatitis C testing witnessing a negative impact on demand across Germany. Based on our analysis, the market will exhibit a huge decline of -25.0% in 2020. It is projected to grow from USD 80.1 million in 2020 to USD 121.4 million in 2027 at a CAGR of 6.1% in the 2020-2027 period. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Hepatitis C is one of the most commonly occurring infectious diseases in Germany. Several initiatives have been undertaken in the country to understand the disease trends, such as prevalence and the most common genotypes. It is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and if left untreated, the disease can contribute to the development of liver cancer. While Germany has historically recorded a lower prevalence of hepatitis C compared to developing countries, the country has witnessed several changes in its demographics in recent times. The increasing influx of migrants and rising abuse of drugs through injections among the general population is expected to sharply increase the hepatitis C prevalence in the country. As these changing trends in the German populace are expected to lead to a greater need for HCV testing, the market is poised for significant growth in the forecast period.

Priority to COVID-19 Testing will Result in a Significant Decline in Hepatitis C Testing in Germany

The COVID-19 pandemic on the Germany hepatitis C testing has been significantly adverse due to a number of critical factors. Because of restrictions such as nationwide lockdowns enforced by the German government, the testing for hepatitis C was severely impacted. This is because the resources used in the testing were diverted to the efforts of the tackling of the coronavirus, and the HCV testing for non-critical patients was deemed unnecessary. Furthermore, a study published in December 2020 in the Journal of Primary Care and Community Health stated that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 50% decline in hepatitis C testing. Hence, as of now, the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic is expected to have a severely negative impact on the German market.

LATEST TRENDS

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Strong Initiatives towards the Elimination of Hepatitis C in Germany is a Vital Trend

The most critical trend of Germany's hepatitis C testing is the substantial initiatives undertaken by the German government for the elimination of hepatitis C. For instance, according to a research paper published in the medical journal BMJ Open in August 2020, it was noted that under the current practice, the HCV diagnosis rates are expected to increase to 70% in Germany by 2030. Such positive trends in terms of the increase of HCV testing in the country are expected to significantly aid in the growth of the market in the forecast period.

Furthermore, the German government has a strategic plan in place for the elimination of hepatitis C in the country, with the latest plan being published in 2016. This is greatly expected to boost the demand for hepatitis C testing in Germany because of the increasing awareness amongst the German population towards this serious disease, coupled with positive initiatives by the government to boost the HCV testing volumes.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Prevalence of Hepatitis C in Germany to Surge Growth

An important driver of the German market is the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C amongst the population. The market is particularly poised for growth in the forecast period as the recent developments in the country’s demographic groups, such as the increasing influx of migrants are expected to increase the incidence of HCV infections. These changing demographics in Germany are expected to necessitate increased HCV testing as these migrants have been historically noted to show a greater prevalence of hepatitis C.

Furthermore, the increasing proportion of drug abusers who inject drugs in the general population is also expected to warrant the need for higher HCV testing volumes. While historically Germany has shown a lower prevalence of hepatitis C, these changing population trends are expected to result in a significant increase in the prevalence. Factors as such are projected to further boost the market growth during the forecast period.

Rising Awareness Programs to Boost the Market for Germany Hepatitis C Testing

One of the other critical driving factors of the market in Germany includes the increased awareness of the advantages of timely HCV infection diagnostics. This rising awareness amongst the general population is expected to significantly boost the testing rates in the country. For instance, a significant proportion of the population who suffer from HCV infection develop the chronic form of this disease. Individuals, who suffer from chronic hepatitis C, are more susceptible to developing other serious diseases such as liver cancer and liver failure.

As the awareness increases in the general population regarding the early treatment through acting antivirals, a significant proportion of the population is expected to opt for HCV testing. Hence, robust investments in creating a comprehensive hepatitis C testing initiative and the increasing involvement of major and emerging players in the creation of testing awareness are expected to boost the market growth in the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Absence of Nationwide HCV Testing Program in Germany to Limit Growth

One of the most critical restraining factors impacting the widespread adoption of hepatitis C testing in Germany is the absence of a nationwide testing program. The absence of a comprehensive HCV testing initiative has led to the adoption of hepatitis C testing in the country despite an increase in the incidence of the disease. Numerous clinical publications point out that there is a strong requirement for a nationwide hepatitis C testing initiative in Germany. Furthermore, the lack of widespread HCV testing in the country is anticipated to not enable Germany to fulfill the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of HCV elimination by 2030. These factors are anticipated to limit the Germany hepatitis C testing market growth during the forecast period.

SEGMENTATION

By Test Types Analysis

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HCV Serologic Tests (HCV Ab) Segment to Grow at Faster Pace during 2020-2027

Based on test types, the market can be segmented into HCV serologic tests (HCV Ab), HCV RNA tests, and HCV genotype tests. The HCV serologic tests (HCV Ab) segment held a dominant proportion of Germany hepatitis C testing in 2019. The dominance of the segment is owing to the large volumes of this test type to screen the general and vulnerable population for HCV antibodies. HCV serologic tests (HCV Ab) are conducted to determine whether an individual has the presence of HCV antibodies in their body. It indicates the presence of an active or recovered HCV infection.

The HCV RNA test segment is expected to register the second-largest market share due to the increasing testing volumes of this test type in order to determine whether the nature of HCV infection is active. Furthermore, HCV RNA tests are conducted to also measure for the purposes of detecting viral load at baseline, monitoring tests during the course of treatment, and post-treatment assessment.

The HCV genotype tests segment is anticipated to register a lower market share in the forecast period. This is primarily due to the comparatively lower testing volumes of this test type in Germany hepatitis C testing.

By Technology Type Analysis

ELISA Segment Dominated the Market in 2019

Based on the technology type, the market is segmented into ELISA and PCR. The ELISA segment primarily dominated the market in 2019 because of the large testing volumes attributed to HCV serologic tests or the HCV antibody test. The HCV antibody test is based on the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technology. The PCR technology type is the second most dominant segment because of the extensive usage of this technology for two types of hepatitis C testing. These two types of testing include the HCV RNA tests (quantitative and qualitative assays) and the HCV genotype tests.

By End-User Analysis

Hospitals to Be the Largest Segment during the Forecast Period

On the basis of the end-user segment of Germany hepatitis C testing, the market is segmented into hospitals, diagnostics labs, and others. The hospitals segment is projected to account for the highest share in the market during the forecast period. The dominance of this segment is attributable to the fact that the German healthcare system comprises a large number of hospitals and clinics that often prescribe and undertake to test for hepatitis C. The diagnostics labs segment is expected to grow at a comparatively lower CAGR during the forecast period. The others segment consists of all the other medical and healthcare institutions in Germany, such as rehabilitation centers, which also undertake testing for hepatitis C in the country.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strong Hepatitis C Testing Portfolio of Abbott and Roche Diagnostics to Help Them Dominate Germany Market

The Germany hepatitis C testing market depicts a competitive scenario, which includes a semi-consolidated industry with the presence of a few established and emerging companies. In the present scenario of hepatitis C testing in Germany, Abbott and Roche Diagnostics (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) were leading the market in 2019, accounting for a strong revenue share. Abbott dominates the market due to its comprehensive hepatitis C testing portfolio, which comprises HCV serologic tests (HCV Ab) and also HCV RNA tests.

Also, some of the other established players of Germany hepatitis C testing include Bio-Rad Laboratories and Siemens Healthineers. In the forecast period, these companies will focus on the expansion of their market presence in the country. This is because it is expected that the German government will intensify the country’s HCV testing efforts to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of HCV elimination. These developments in the market in terms of hepatitis C virus testing are expected to aid in the recording of a higher growth rate in the forecast period.

LIST OF KEY MARKET COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Abbott (Abbott Park, U.S.)
• Roche Diagnostics (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd ) (Basel, Switzerland)
• Siemens Healthcare GmbH (Erlangen, Germany)
• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (Hercules, U.S.)
• DiaSorin S.p.A. (Saluggia, Italy)
• Other Prominent Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2021 - Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, and the Treatment Action Group announced the launch of public health partnership to manage epidemic of hepatitis C in low- and middle-income countries and to develop test-and-treat programmes while addressing HCV financing obstacles.
• July 2021 - bioLytical Laboratories Inc. received CE market for NSTI HCV Antibody Test, the world’s first one minute HCV Antibody Test and received approval for immediate market entry to sell its kits across Europe. 
• July 2021 -  WHO (World Health organization) issued guidelines on hepatitis C  virus promoting self-testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as an added approach to HCV testing services.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Germany Hepatitis C Testing Market

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The Germany hepatitis C testing market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market. It focuses on key aspects such as the prevalence of hepatitis C in Germany, regulatory and reimbursement scenario, key industry developments, number of hepatitis C tests, technological advancements in testing, and impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the market. Besides this, the report offers insights into the future market trends and highlights key industry dynamics. In addition to the aforementioned factors, it encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the Germany market over recent years.

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