Point-of-Care Testing II: Application Areas and Market Landscape

As medical testing trends evolve, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are gradually shifting from clinical settings to the home. Symptom assessment no longer relies solely on physicians; with professional devices and clear instructions, individuals can perform a preliminary evaluation and then seek appropriate medical care. Driving this transition is Point-of-Care Testing (POCT).

Bryant Chen, Manager of Medical Affairs, Be Accelerator (Beyond BioMedical)

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Understanding Point-of-Care Testing 

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) refers to diagnostic testing performed anytime and anywhere, unconstrained by time, location, or designated personnel. With simple specimen collection, paired devices, and clear guidance, results can be obtained rapidly—disrupting the traditional multi-step workflow (physician order → sampling → central lab → wait for report → follow-up consult). POCT simplifies processes, saves time for patients and providers, and raises public health literacy.
POCT spans a wide range of domains, commonly grouped by disease area: 

  • Glycemic control: blood glucose, HbA1c.

  • Blood gases / electrolytes: oxygen, carbon dioxide, potassium, sodium, chloride, etc.

  • Coagulation: prothrombin time, platelet function, thromboelastography (TEG).

  • Infectious diseases: SARS-CoV-2, viral hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, malaria, influenza, etc.

  • Inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT).

  • Pregnancy / fertility: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), luteinizing hormone (LH).

  • Cardiac markers: myoglobin, cardiac troponins.

  • Tumor markers: AFP, CEA, PSA, etc.

  • Others: alcohol, illicit drugs, ractopamine, melamine, etc.

Although POCT can, by definition, be performed virtually anywhere, many tests still require adequate professional knowledge and experience in practice. Thus, glucose, blood gases/electrolytes, and certain infectious-disease tests can be done at home, whereas many others are primarily used in clinical settings—laboratories, emergency departments, and inpatient wards. 

POCT: Current Market Landscape 

Because the U.S. and Europe developed in-vitro diagnostics earlier, the POCT market remains led by established multinational players leveraging technical maturity and reliability, including Roche (Switzerland), Abbott (USA), Siemens (Germany), and Danaher (USA): 

  • Roche: Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; a global leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics and a category leader in POCT, with strong positions in diabetes management and molecular diagnostics.

  • Abbott: Founded in 1888 and headquartered in Illinois, USA; POCT offerings span diabetes, infectious diseases, women’s & children’s health, and more.

  • Siemens: Founded in 1847 and headquartered in Munich, Germany; a global electronics and engineering company with a strong focus on laboratory diagnostics.

  • Danaher: Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Washington, D.C.; a diversified science and technology company whose POCT strengths include molecular diagnostics, blood gas analysis, and pathology.

Beyond these four majors, large corporations are entering POCT via new business units, transformations, and M&A, while numerous startups are pushing innovative POCT products.

In the post-pandemic era, as health concepts and care models shift and everyday life becomes more tightly integrated with healthcare, continued technological innovation, smart health, and greater public awareness will enable POCT to deliver more autonomous and convenient living for all.

For further information: Bryant.chen@be.tworg.app

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