Veterinary Diagnostics

Veterinary Diagnostics

Introduction

Lateral flow and other rapid tests are used in veterinary medicine to test commercial livestock (large animals – cows, poultry, sheep, pigs, etc.) and household pets (cats, dogs, etc.) for a variety of medical conditions including: bacteria, viruses, allergies, fertility issues and diabetes. This test segment is not to be confused with food safety testing, which is normally performed on animals that are about to enter (about to be slaughtered) or have entered the food chain.

World LF Test Revenues (US$ millions)
Sales
2005		 %
Mkt		 Sales
2010		 %
Mkt		 %
CAGR
 
Clinical 1,880 90 2,725 89 8
Veterinary 175 8 270 9 9
Food & Beverage 25 1 50 1 15
Pharma/Biologics 10 0.4 20 1 15
Environment 5 0.2 6 0.2 4
Water Utilities 5 0.2 6 0.2 4
2,100 100 3,077 100 8
Source: DCN Market and Technical Report: (Pushing Lateral Flow to the Limits)

Approximately 60% of immunoassays for small and large animals are performed in reference laboratories. In 2005, LF-type tests represent some 39% of the veterinary rapid immunoassay and ELISA tests ($450 million) performed worldwide. These LF tests generated revenues of $175 million, worldwide and with 9% CAGR will reach $270 million in 2010.

The market is highly fragmented with different tests used for specific animal species. Some 60% of the LF vet market is occupied by tests for household pets. These tests include: tests for anemia, cancer, endocrine function; viral pathogens: canine adenovirus type-1 (CAV-1), calicivirus (CaCV), adenovirus, coronavirus, parvovirus, rabies, rotavirus, West Nile Virus, etc.; and bacteria and parasites: E. coli, cryptosporidia, heartworm, hookworm, leishmania, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, roundworm and tapeworm.

Large animal veterinary medicine is becoming an important facet of public health, worldwide. Public health and food supply, everywhere, are at constant risk from accidental or malicious introduction of animal diseases that destroy animal stock or can be transferred to humans. The threats include obvious ones like foot and mouth disease (FMD), as well as agents that affect animals and humans, such as bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis, avian influenza, anthrax, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and West Nile virus.

DCN’s broad experience in the development of assays in this area of application, coupled with our ability to design devices specifically for these applications and integrate readers as appropriate, make DCN your ideal partner for the development or manufacture of assays specifically for veterinary use.

For a detailed discussion of market opportunities and appropriate technologies for lateral flow and flow through market segments, see DCN’s Technology and Market Report on the point of need diagnostics market, entitled Pushing Lateral Flow to the Limits. Contact us for information on how to order this report.

Advantages of lateral flow and flow through assays in this market segment

DCN has developed numerous assays in this market area. Examples include:

Equine colitis markers (equine feces)

Developing or manufacturing assays for Veterinary uses?

DCN offers a variety of products and services specifically designed to meet your needs, including:

Services
Platforms for development:
Reader Systems for lateral flow and flow through tests:
High Sensitivity Labels for Development
Sample Collection and Handling Devices
Reagents