COVID-19 Saliva Screening Test Potential Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Location (Travel Stations), By Technology, By Mode (Centralized Testing, Decentralized Testing), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2023

Report Overview

The global COVID-19 saliva screening test potential market size was valued at USD 2955.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2021 to 2023. These estimates represent a potential market size for the COVID-19 saliva screening test in a scenario where end-use locations have a 60.0% population attendance (60% of pre-COVID attendance) and testing rate using COVID-19 saliva screening test device is 100.0%. Saliva-based screening for SARS_CoV-2 is gaining traction in the current scenario, as it is easy to use, patient-friendly, and has a shorter test-to-result timeline.

Timeline and scalability challenges pertaining to molecular swab-based SARS-CoV-2 testing are key factors that are prompting consumers to shift to saliva-based testing/screening approaches. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in South Africa, the U.K., and Brazil, which were observed to be more transmissible than the original strain, solidifies the need for rapid tests. Increased concern over the frequency and spread of these variants is expected to fuel the demand for widespread surveillance and screening. The introduction of the Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing Pandemic Defense Platform was found to be effective in these programs. Vaccine administration alone is not likely to be sufficient, rapid testing will be required for mass screening to reopen businesses.

Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing enables rapid identification of individuals who are actively contagious and is an effective screening modality for cruise ships, airplanes, sports stadiums, and schools. The combination of vaccination and fast and frequent testing using Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies test holds promising potential in ending the pandemic. Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing's system is designed to accelerate rapid point-of-access testing of individuals by leveraging the principles of fluorescence detection, biochemistry, robotics automation, and cloud computing.

Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing can be appropriately suited for a high-traffic, high-risk pandemic ecosystem, including manufacturing facilities, hospitals and large healthcare facilities, corporate campuses, athletic stadiums, transportation and distribution hubs, schools and colleges, shopping centers, performance venues, airline and cruise ship terminals, and other large business and retail settings. Thus, the saliva-based COVID-19 screening market has high growth potential in the near future.

A large number of market players shifted their business focus from conventional swab testing to saliva-based testing, considering it a lucrative source of revenue over the near future. Other factors that have driven their attention to this testing approach include the lesser need for supplies while using saliva specimens, shortage of molecular testing materials, greater patient discomfort when using swabs for samples, and growing need for mass testing to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the globe.

Location Insights

Unlike other low-throughput or individual screening solutions, saliva-based screening tests can be easily implemented at various locations such as travel stations, sports arenas, concert halls, shopping malls, amusement parks, corporate campus environments, universities and colleges, and manufacturing factories.

Amid the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, air travel has fallen sharply, leading to a significant reduction in foot traffic at airports. This has severely impacted the economy leading to the screening of passengers becoming a necessity for airports and airlines to curb virus transmission. For instance, in September 2020, Heathrow Airport, U.K., tried out Mologic’s lateral-flow saliva testing strip for screening passengers. This was regarded as an efficient screening method for mass testing.

Moreover, the U.S. universities are relying on rapid COVID-19 tests as a measure for the safe return of students to campus. For instance, saliva-based COVID-19 screening tests are being used for large-scale screening of students at the University of Illinois. In addition, Colorado State University (CSU) rolled out saliva screening tests (developed by CSU researchers) for COVID-19. Thus, such locations represent the applications and high growth potential for saliva-based COVID-19 screening tests.

Technology Insights

The fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing segment dominated the market for COVID-19 saliva screening test potential and accounted for the largest revenue share of 99.9% in 2020. Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing LLC makes use of the CompleTest platform to diagnose an array of viral infections, including SARS-COV-2. This test can affirm the development of immunity in an individual against COVID-19. The company develops tests, which can be administered at the point of collection, with a turnaround time of 15 minutes.

The U.S.FDA has characterized these tests as rapid and suitable for point-of-care diagnosis, aimed at ramping up testing capacity, especially in the U.S. Acknowledgment of the pivotal role of antigen-based COVID-19 tests by the FDA has provided profitable opportunities for the expansion of Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing’s business. Thus, Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing has widespread applications across various locations for the screening of individuals for COVID-19 infection.

Moreover, government authorities across developing economies are undertaking initiatives to promote the use of saliva-based COVID-19 detection methods, which is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for players in this market. For instance, in April 2021, to expand the COVID-19 diagnostic capacity in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a Department Memorandum (DM) regarding the administration and usage of Saliva-based RT-PCR testing.

Mode Insights

The decentralized testing segment dominated the market COVID-19 saliva screening test potential and accounted for the largest revenue share of 96.2% in 2020. Increasing adoption of saliva-based COVID-19 screening tests by several developers contributes to the revenue generated by this segment. For instance, e7 Health, a laboratory located in Las Vegas, offers at-work or at-home COVID-19 tests authorized by the FDA. The tests are collected through saliva specimens.

In December 2020, FDA approved a novel OTC saliva test for at-home use in the U.S. This was anticipated to be rapidly adopted amid the pandemic. The FDA has approved the commercial use of this test through mobile settings, such as drug stores and at-home settings. The test incorporates an analyzer that is connected with a software application to a smartphone; it can offer test results within 20 minutes.

Centralized settings can play an integral role in the saliva-based diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections, as these are not rapid tests that can be performed near the patient. Ease of sample collection, minimization of collection supplies required for saliva testing, reduced tests in the testing protocol, and access to instruments are some of the reasons that can be attributed to the strong focus on saliva-based COVID-19 diagnosis across centralized settings.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the COVID-19 saliva screening test potential market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 90.0% in 2020. The introduction of several new products by emerging start-ups and the presence of home-grown key players engaged in the development and manufacturing of diagnostic as well as screening tests based on various technologies has majorly contributed to the dominance of the region.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport Bureau, an overall reduction in airline passengers was up to 60.0%, i.e., 2, 699 million passengers in 2020. The operating revenue of airlines reduced by approximately. USD 371 billion due to the pandemic. For North America, the revenue was reduced by USD 88 billion. This indicates a high potential of the North American region in using saliva-based COVID-19 screening tests for its economic growth.

In May 2021, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control published considerations for the use of saliva as a diagnostic sample to detect COVID-19 infection. According to this document, commercial assays based on the use of saliva specimen are available in the European Union accepting CE marking. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted approvals to various companies for the marketing of their products in the region thereby increasing the market potential in the European region for saliva-based screening tests.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market COVID-19 saliva screening test potential is expected to witness tremendous growth in the coming years. The increasing number of product approvals, emergency use authorizations by regulatory bodies, and technological collaborations between operating players have intensified market growth.

In February 2021, George Mason University in Fairfax initiated COVID-19 testing using the Fluidigm Corporation’s Advanta Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay. This assay is being used on the Fluidigm Biomark HD system. In addition, in April 2021, Quidel Corporation signed a distribution agreement with McKesson Corporation to increase the availability of at-home COVID-19 testing services. Such initiatives have increased market potential for saliva-based COVID-19 screening tests. Some of the prominent players in the global Covid-19 saliva screening test potential market include:

• ARUP Laboratories

• Vatic Health

• MOgene

• Psomagen Inc.

• DxTerity Diagnostics, Inc.

• Ambry Genetics

• Fluidigm Corporation

• Phosphorus Diagnostics LLC

• Gravity Diagnostics

• DNA Genotek, Inc.

• Quidel Corporation

• Abbott

• LumiraDX

• FluroTech Ltd.

COVID-19 Saliva Screening Test Potential Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2020 to 2023. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global COVID-19 saliva screening test potential market report on the basis of location, technology, mode, and region:

• Location Outlook (North America) (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2023)

  • Travel Stations

    • Airports

    • Cruise

    • Ports

    • Train Stations

    • Border Crossing

  • Sports Arenas

  • Concert Halls

  • Shopping Malls and Centers

  • Amusement Parks

  • Corporate Campus Environments

  • Universities & Colleges

  • Factories

    • Food Processing Plants

    • Meat Packing Plants

    • Pharmaceutical Plants

    • Mining

    • Retail Working Warehouses

• Location Outlook (Other Regions) (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2023)

  • Travel Stations

  • Sports Arenas

  • Entertainment Venues

  • Corporate Campus Environments

  • Universities & Colleges

  • Factories

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2023)

  • Fluorescence-labeled antigen/antibodies testing

  • RT-PCR

  • CRISPR-Cas9

• Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2023)

  • Centralized Testing

  • Decentralized Testing

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2023)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

  • Asia Pacific

  • Rest of World