The Promising Future of Self-Sampling Blood Collection and Storage Devices in Reducing COVID-19 Testing Costs

The global COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for efficient, accessible, and cost-effective testing methods. Among these, self-sampling blood collection and storage devices have emerged as a promising solution. Leveraging rapid lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs), these devices have the potential to revolutionize COVID-19 antibody testing, significantly reducing costs and risks associated with traditional inpatient sampling.

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LFIAs: Paving the Way for Cost-Effective COVID-19 Testing

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) offer a rapid and user-friendly method for detecting COVID-19 antibodies. Unlike traditional venipuncture, which requires skilled personnel and significant resources, LFIAs can be easily administered by individuals at home. This not only reduces the burden on healthcare facilities but also lowers the overall cost of testing. Companies in the self-sampling blood collection market are increasingly investing in R&D to enhance the accuracy and reliability of LFIAs, addressing their variable performance and ensuring they meet the gold standard of venous blood testing.

Overcoming Limitations of Dried Blood Samples (DBS)

Dried blood samples (DBS) kits have been popular for at-home collection due to their ease of use and convenience in shipping and storage. However, they come with several limitations. The process of extracting analytes from DBS is laborious and dilutes the sample, often reducing the concentration of target analytes below detectable levels. This has led to the development of new technologies, such as Sandstone’s Torq technology, which allows for the high-quality separation of plasma or serum from whole blood at home, providing samples ready for testing without further dilution.

The Growing Preference for CE-marked Devices

The self-sampling blood collection market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% from 2021 to 2031. A significant contributor to this growth is the increasing preference for CE-marked devices, like Tasso, Inc.’s Tasso-M20. These devices are being used extensively in virtual clinical trials by European pharmaceutical companies to gather pharmacokinetic data. The development of such devices is crucial in enabling decentralized blood testing solutions, facilitating faster and simpler clinical trials.

Customization and Convenience in At-home Specimen Collection

Manufacturers are scaling up the production of at-home specimen collection kits, which are not only convenient and economical but also customizable. Neoteryx’s Mitra® kits, for instance, are designed for easy sample tracking with native barcoding and can be tailored to meet specific user needs. These kits represent a significant advancement in biological specimen collection, transportation, and storage.

Mitigating COVID-19 Transmission Risks

The ability to self-sample blood at home and send dried blood spots to reference labs can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with inpatient sampling. It also enhances community surveillance capabilities, providing a more comprehensive picture of virus spread and immunity levels.

Market Outlook and Opportunities

The self-sampling blood collection and storage devices market is projected to reach USD 310.6 million by 2031. Key factors driving this growth include high spending on R&D, an increasing patient pool with chronic diseases, and a rising prevalence of blood disorders. Moreover, the surge in the geriatric population is further fueling market expansion.

Companies operating in this space, such as Neoteryx, LLC., DBS System SA, and Tasso, Inc., are at the forefront of innovation, developing cutting-edge devices that enhance the convenience and reliability of at-home blood collection.

Analysts’ Insights

Self-sampling blood collection technologies hold immense potential in transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, challenges such as hematocrit bias in DBS samples need to be addressed to ensure consistent and accurate results. Investing in technologies that provide liquid plasma or serum samples free of hemolysis and ready for testing without dilution is crucial.