The advancements in genomic technologies and their implementation within clinical medicine have led to their expanded applications, such as carrier screening, diagnosis of genetic disorders before implantation and identifying the causes of infertility.
Human genome sequencing was a significant research carried out years ago, and the first draft of the research was announced in June 2000. Till the said date, the entire genome was not sequenced, i.e., information about 8% genome was still missing from the first draft. However, scientists have announced that the missing 8% of the genome has also been sequenced.
This genetic sequencing will help enhance the genetic testing carried out before and during pregnancy and benefit both mother and child. The respective genetic testing helps in analyzing genetic material such as chromosomes, genes, DNA, RNA, and gene products for accessing genetic changes that have a likelihood of causing some disease after pregnancy in either mother or child.
The genetic tests are offered for three main purposes in reproductive medicine, namely, identification of infertility causes, identification of genetic diseases transmissible to offspring, and optimization of the assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Genetic screening and testing for reproductive health are currently being offered by a growing number of companies. The key tests performed for reproductive genetics include fertility tests, carrier screening, pre-implantation genetic screening, and prenatal screening.
According to the market intelligence published by BIS Research, the reproductive genetics market was estimated at $4,402.8 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.38% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2030.
The reproductive genetics market is poised to have substantial investment and growth as the demand continues, reimbursement improves, and the technology expands to additional, novel applications. Recently, HoMu Health Ventures was formed in 2020 and has been launched as an incubator and venture builder to assist startups in the biotech sector focused on reproductive health. The venture is headed by Santi Munné, José Horcajadas and David Cotán, and Delfí Torns.
In the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a drastic decline in genetic testing globally due to the extended lockdown in all the regions, thus hampering the supply chain of important materials. Moreover, the exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 patients has put huge pressure on the healthcare system to manage the pandemic.
However, reproductive genetic testing companies have incorporated various countermeasures to overcome the challenges posed within the COVID-19 pandemic. The production and supply plants are located on a single facility in an area, instead of keeping them in various locations, to overcome restraints of restricted transport facilities.
With the rise in the prevalence of infertility due to lifestyle changes and chances of genetic diseases, the demand for treatments such as IVF and genetic testing technologies has gone up. Further, as more biotechnology companies are being established globally offering advanced technologies for reproductive genetic testing, there is an increase in overall awareness and adoption of reproductive genetics testing, and the trend is set to rise owing to an increase in the number of healthcare facilities offering them.
