The in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in medical technology, an increasing focus on personalized medicine, and the growing demand for early disease detection. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region—comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—has become a promising market for IVD manufacturers, with healthcare investment rising across the region. By 2030, the GCC IVD market is projected to witness substantial growth, with certain diagnostic products experiencing higher demand than others.
This article explores the key IVD products that are expected to see significant demand in the GCC market by 2030, influenced by healthcare trends, population dynamics, and regulatory changes.
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Genetic Testing for Personalized Medicine
Personalized medicine is a rapidly growing field in the GCC, with a strong emphasis on treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. As a result, molecular diagnostics and genetic testing are expected to experience a surge in demand. These tests help healthcare providers detect genetic mutations and variations, enabling them to offer targeted therapies and individualized treatments for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and rare genetic disorders.
The GCC’s increasing focus on personalized healthcare, especially in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, means that genetic testing will likely play a central role in improving patient outcomes by 2030. Molecular diagnostics companies offering next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other cutting-edge genetic testing platforms will find significant opportunities in this region.
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of molecular diagnostics in detecting infectious diseases quickly and accurately. In the coming years, the demand for molecular diagnostics in detecting a broad range of pathogens—including respiratory viruses, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and blood-borne diseases—is expected to grow significantly in the GCC.
The region’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure and enhance its pandemic preparedness will likely lead to increased investments in molecular diagnostic tools, which provide real-time data and faster detection.
- Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
- Chronic Disease Management
The GCC countries are grappling with rising incidences of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. For instance, the prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is among the highest in the world, with approximately 17-20% of adults living with the condition.
By 2030, point-of-care testing (POCT) for chronic diseases is expected to see robust demand. These portable, easy-to-use diagnostic tools allow patients and healthcare providers to monitor health conditions outside of traditional laboratory settings, facilitating more efficient management of chronic illnesses.
Key POCT products likely to experience demand in the GCC include blood glucose monitors, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests for diabetes management, and cholesterol tests for cardiovascular health. POCT enables real-time decision-making, offering rapid results and convenience for both patients and healthcare providers.
- Rapid Diagnostics in Emergency Settings
The need for rapid diagnostic solutions is particularly critical in emergency care settings, where timely decision-making can save lives. By 2030, the demand for POCT products in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and ambulances is expected to rise in the GCC. These devices enable rapid diagnosis of heart attacks, stroke, infections, and trauma-related conditions, improving patient outcomes in critical situations.
- Cancer Diagnostics
- Liquid Biopsy
Cancer is a growing health concern across the GCC, with increasing incidences of breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Early detection remains key to improving survival rates, and liquid biopsy—a non-invasive diagnostic tool that detects cancer-related genetic mutations in the blood—has emerged as a promising technology for cancer screening and monitoring.
By 2030, liquid biopsy is expected to play a major role in cancer diagnostics across the GCC, especially in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where governments are prioritizing cancer prevention and early detection programs. Liquid biopsy is particularly advantageous as it allows for ongoing monitoring of cancer progression and treatment response without the need for invasive tissue biopsies.
- Companion Diagnostics
With the growing emphasis on personalized medicine, companion diagnostics—tests that identify the suitability of specific therapies based on a patient’s genetic profile—are set to see strong demand by 2030. In cancer treatment, companion diagnostics help healthcare providers determine which targeted therapies will be most effective for patients, leading to better treatment outcomes.
As targeted therapies become more prevalent in GCC oncology centers, companion diagnostics will play a critical role in guiding treatment decisions and improving the quality of cancer care.
- Immunodiagnostics
- Autoimmune Disease Testing
Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus, are increasingly being diagnosed in the GCC population. Immunodiagnostic tests, which detect autoimmune markers in the blood, will be in greater demand as awareness of autoimmune conditions rises and healthcare providers seek to diagnose and manage these diseases more effectively.
By 2030, GCC healthcare systems are expected to invest in advanced immunodiagnostic tools to detect autoimmune conditions early, allowing for better patient management and treatment planning.
- Allergy Testing
With the rise of urbanization and environmental factors, allergy-related conditions have become more common in the GCC, particularly among children and the elderly. Immunodiagnostic tests for detecting allergies—such as food, environmental, and drug allergies—are likely to experience increased demand as more people seek accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
- Diabetes Diagnostics and Monitoring
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
Diabetes is a major public health challenge in the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where the prevalence of the disease is among the highest globally. Traditional methods of monitoring glucose levels, such as finger-prick tests, are gradually being replaced by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, which provide real-time glucose data and allow for better management of diabetes.
By 2030, CGM devices are expected to become the standard for diabetes management in the GCC, as they offer greater convenience, accuracy, and data-driven insights for patients and healthcare providers alike. CGM systems are also increasingly being integrated into digital health platforms, supporting the region’s push toward digital transformation in healthcare.
- HbA1c Testing
Monitoring long-term glucose control through hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing will continue to be a critical diagnostic tool for diabetes management. By 2030, the demand for HbA1c testing kits—particularly for use in point-of-care settings—is expected to increase across the GCC as healthcare providers seek to better manage the growing burden of diabetes.
- Microbiome Testing
The human microbiome is increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in overall health, affecting everything from immune function to digestion. By 2030, microbiome testing is expected to gain traction in the GCC as healthcare providers explore the relationship between the microbiome and conditions such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and mental health disorders.
Microbiome diagnostics, which analyze the composition of gut bacteria and other microorganisms, could become a valuable tool for healthcare providers looking to offer personalized treatment plans and improve patient health outcomes.
Conclusion
By 2030, the GCC’s IVD market is expected to witness substantial growth, driven by rising healthcare demand, government investments, and the region’s focus on early disease detection and personalized medicine. Chinese IVD enterprises that offer innovative, cost-effective diagnostic products tailored to the GCC’s unique healthcare needs stand to capture significant market share.
Key IVD products expected to experience high demand by 2030 include molecular diagnostics for genetic testing and infectious diseases, point-of-care testing for chronic disease management, cancer diagnostics such as liquid biopsy and companion diagnostics, immunodiagnostics for autoimmune and allergy testing, and advanced diabetes monitoring tools.
For companies seeking to capitalize on this growing market, now is the time to invest in building strong local partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and aligning product offerings with the GCC’s healthcare priorities.
Contact PengyouX to learn how we can help your IVD enterprise navigate the GCC market, from regulatory support to establishing partnerships and building a successful market presence.