Advancing Global Health: Trends in the Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market

The antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) market is indeed the foundation of global health as it directly assists countries fight against AMR. With drug-resistant infections becoming a challenge in different healthcare systems globally, new development within the field of AST technologies is proving to be useful in the timely and accurate determination and management of infection crises. 

Download a sample PDF 250 Pages of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Industry Report, published by Vantage Market Research.

Understanding Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing aims at understanding effectiveness of particular antimicrobials, antifungal or antiviral drug against pathogens. It assists clinicians when to use antimicrobial drugs and when not, reduces the prescription errors that lead to the misuse of these drugs, and aids in the fight against AMR which shall have been causing 10 million deaths per year by 2050.

The AST market encompasses manual, assay-dependent, and POC types, and finds uses in clinical diagnosis, new drug discovery, and veterinary medicine. Further advancements that target periodicity, accuracy, and costs of AST contribute to the growth of the market.

Emerging Trends in the AST Market

Automation and High-Throughput Systems

Automation is transforming the AST landscape, enhancing speed and accuracy in diagnostic workflows. High-throughput systems, like the VITEK® series by bioMérieux, provide precise susceptibility results within hours, accelerating clinical decision-making. These systems are equipped with advanced software for real-time data analysis, reducing manual errors and improving laboratory efficiency.

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

POCT is gaining traction as healthcare shifts toward decentralized and patient-centered models. Portable AST devices, such as the Pheno™ system by Accelerate Diagnostics, enable rapid testing at the bedside or in outpatient settings. These devices shorten the time to targeted therapy, improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital stays.

Genomic and Molecular Methods

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular diagnostics are revolutionizing AST by identifying resistance genes directly from patient samples. Technologies like Cepheid’s GeneXpert® system can detect resistance markers for pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis within hours, significantly faster than traditional culture-based methods.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are enhancing AST capabilities by analyzing complex datasets to predict antimicrobial resistance patterns. Companies such as Selux Diagnostics are leveraging AI to develop platforms that optimize antimicrobial stewardship and inform public health strategies.

Antibiogram Development

Hospitals and laboratories are increasingly adopting local antibiograms—a summary of antimicrobial susceptibilities within a specific population—to guide empirical treatment. These tools align with global efforts to tailor therapies based on regional resistance trends.

Regulatory Advances and Partnerships

Regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are streamlining the approval of AST devices, fostering innovation. Collaborations between public and private entities, including the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), are promoting standardized testing practices globally.

Recent Developments in the AST Market

Launch of Novel AST Platforms

Recent years have seen the introduction of groundbreaking AST platforms:

• Accelerate Pheno™ System: This system provides rapid susceptibility results within seven hours, significantly faster than traditional methods.
• Sensititre® ARIS® HiQ System: Developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific, this high-throughput system supports a wide range of antimicrobial panels and enhances laboratory efficiency.

Advances in Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics are becoming more prominent in detecting resistance genes. For instance:

• BD MAX™ System: BD’s system enables the rapid detection of multi-drug-resistant organisms, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
• NGS-Based Approaches: Illumina and Qiagen have introduced sequencing platforms that provide comprehensive insights into microbial genomes, supporting precision medicine.

AI-Driven Solutions

AI is reshaping AST development. Companies like Pattern Bioscience are utilizing AI to analyze phenotypic data, reducing the time required for susceptibility testing. These innovations align with global efforts to combat AMR by accelerating diagnostics.

Expansion of POC Testing

The demand for POC AST devices is rising in resource-limited settings. Portable solutions like the RespiFinder® SMART system are addressing the need for rapid testing in rural and underserved regions.

Pharmaceutical Collaborations

Partnerships between diagnostic companies and pharmaceutical firms are driving advancements in AST. Collaborations aim to develop targeted therapies and companion diagnostics, ensuring the effective deployment of new antimicrobial agents.

Regional Dynamics in the AST Market

North America

North America dominates the AST market, driven by:

• High adoption of advanced diagnostics.
• Strong regulatory frameworks.
• Significant investments in R&D.

The U.S. leads the region, supported by initiatives like the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative, which funds state health departments to enhance AMR surveillance and diagnostics.

Europe

Europe is a key player in the AST market due to:

• The European Union’s (EU) Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.
• Extensive laboratory networks and standardized protocols.

Countries like Germany, the UK, and France are investing in molecular diagnostics and AI-driven AST technologies, fostering regional growth.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth in the AST market, fueled by:

• Increasing prevalence of drug-resistant infections.
• Rising healthcare expenditure.
• Expanding laboratory infrastructure in countries like China and India.

National AMR action plans, such as India’s National Action Plan for AMR, are promoting the adoption of advanced AST solutions.

Latin America

In Latin America, countries like Brazil and Mexico are emerging markets for AST. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is actively working to improve AMR surveillance and strengthen laboratory capacities in the region.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) face unique challenges in combating AMR, including limited access to diagnostics. However, international collaborations and government initiatives are gradually improving AST adoption, particularly in South Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

1. High Costs of Advanced Technologies: The adoption of novel AST platforms can be prohibitively expensive, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
2. Complex Regulatory Landscape: Variations in regulatory requirements across regions pose challenges to market entry.
3. Lack of Skilled Workforce: Implementing advanced AST systems requires trained professionals, which are scarce in many regions.

Opportunities

1. Growth in Emerging Markets: As the healthcare systems of the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and African regions continue to expand their investments, opportunities arise for market participants.
2. Focus on Personalized Medicine: Starting from the intersection of AST and the genomics opens the door to individualized antimicrobial treatments.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative efforts can address funding and infrastructure gaps, driving innovation in the AST market.

Perceived Future Trends of the AST Market

The AST market is expected to grow highly in near future as it has estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.1 % from 2024 to 2034.

• Utilizing relevant world parameters, the global burden of AMR is increasing.
• Progress in the diagnosis employing the technological means.
• The increasing need for fast and correct testing products.ed for significant growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.1 % from 2024 to 2034.

Key drivers include:

• Increasing global burden of AMR.
• Technological advancements in diagnostics.
• Rising demand for rapid and accurate testing solutions.

Key advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Molecular Diagnostics, and Point of Care (POC) testing becomes most likely to remodel the market’s trend. In addition, supporting initiatives at the regional level and international cooperation will be equally important for addressing the issue of equal availability of modern AST technologies.

Access the Full Report Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Industry Trends and Projections Now

Conclusion

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is one of the strongest pillars of current global health strategies for addressing the growing challenge of AMR. The advanced technologies such as automation, molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence integration are mounting significant changes in the new generations. Global trends also accentuate the disparity and heterogeneous nature of the developments and issues concerning the promotion of ASTs all over the world.

Stakeholders are working together to dismantle barriers and effectively advance the AST market destined for revolutionizing healthcare, precise therapies, curbing the consumption of antimicrobials, and moreover, protecting public health. It is therefore very important for industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to appreciate these trends to inform the direction towards the development of effective strategies against AMR.

For an in-depth analysis of market forecasts, key players, and regional trends, explore the detailed Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market report by Vantage Market Research.