Manufacturers in the newborn screening market are focused on developing new test kits and devices

According to a report of Coherent Market Insights, the global newborn screening (NBS) market was valued at USD 561.5 million in 2018, and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.4 percent from 2018 to 2026. NBS tests look for developmental, metabolic, and genetic disorders in infants. They allow steps to be taken before development of symptoms. Although, majority of these illnesses are very rare, they can be treated with early diagnosis. NBS includes over 30 conditions and illnesses. Increasing awareness among parents for disease screening is a major factor driving the NBS market growth. Furthermore, various government and non-government organizations are actively focused on offering better fetal and maternal care. For instance, in June 2018, the American Society of Hematology led a campaign to fight sickle cell disease in Africa and urged governments, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, to invest in NBS of the disease.

Novel treatments, biomarkers, and technologies are expected to enable various diseases to be considered as potential candidates to be included in NBS programs. For instance, new treatments such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant, enzyme replacement therapy, and gene therapy and new pharmacological drugs have allowed autoimmune diseases to be considered as potential candidates to be included in NBS programs. Manufacturers in the NBS market are focused on developing new test kits and devices in order to diagnose more diseases or disorders at birth. For instance, in February 2018, Sema4, a health information company offering advanced genomic testing, launched Sema4 Natalis, a supplemental NBS test designed to detect 193 childhood-onset diseases or disorders.

Furthermore, several governments are supporting manufacturers to develop new screening tests by relaxing regulations for manufacturing and marketing products. For instance, in February 2017, the US FDA approved marketing of the seeker system for the screening of four, rare lysosomal storage disorders in newborns. The seeker system is designed to detect Fabry, Gaucher, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, and Pompe. It is the first NBS test permitted to be marketed by the FDA for these disorders.