Australia Microfluidics Market Overview, 2029

Microfluidics is only one of the technologies that kept Australia at the forefront in embracing the future and ushering in an epoch when precision and efficiency will characterize the field of medicine. In this fast-growing market, diagnostics, drug development, and environmental monitoring are to be given a new face at the fore, firmly entrenching Australia as a powerhouse for scientific innovation. Further strides in the area have been fronted by technological leaps, including innovations of a lab-on-a-chip device that integrates engaging, onto a single microchip, several functions going on in the laboratory to allow rapid and precise biochemical analyses. Point-of-care devices evolved through microfluidics are in the lead to revolutionize healthcare by availing instant diagnosis results at resource-limited and remote settings in order to advance quality and health outcomes for a variety of patients. Microfluidic sensor development has enabled real-time monitoring of environmental pollutants, pathogens, and chemical compounds for environmental and industrial applications. Another recent innovation in organ-on-a-chip systems models precisely like human organ responses, making possible more accurate drug tests and better ways to model diseases without relying so much on animal testing. Several Australian government schemes and policies have favored the growth of the microfluidics market. NHMRC and the BTF provide the much-needed funding to the research and commercialization push that bridges levels of innovative scientific discovery toward the market value chain. It is the role of the CSIRO to develop sophisticated techniques to manufacture microfluidic devices and work closely with industrial partners in bringing new technologies to the market. Besides, the Medical Research Future Fund is a huge investor in health and medical research fields, including microfluidics, in trying to foster better health outcomes and stimulate economic growth. In particular, the strategic policies of the "Australia 2030, the prosperity through Innovation" type, together with the National Innovation and Science Agenda, maintain that high-tech sectors—including that of support—must be harnessed through funding for research and development and the creation of an innovation-encouraging entrepreneurial culture. It is that HTA policy framework, with a focus on rigorous standards well before any new health technologies are adopted into the healthcare system, such as microfluidic devices, pertaining to safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Events such as the International Conference on Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies, Australasian Lab-on-a-Chip and Microfluidics Conference, have provided the opportunity for researchers, industrialists, and decision makers to present the latest research findings while developing collaborations. Further, it is with the Biosensors and Bioelectronics Conference that many get a chance to acquire information about emerging sensor technologies and their applications in terms of human health and environmental sustainability. Programs like MedTech's Got Talent combine competition and accelerator for medical technology startups, including microfluidic devices developers, providing mentoring, funding, and exposure to potential investors. According to the research report "Australia Microfluidics Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the Australia Microfluidics market is anticipated to grow at more than 17% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Several technologies make microfluidics sustainable, such as the following. Traditionally, microfluidic devices need an amount of reagent and sample that is infinitesimally small compared to conventional methods applied in laboratories, hence drastically reducing volumes related to waste and resources. This kind of efficiency not only reduces the environmental impact but also operational costs. For example, researchers at the University of Queensland have recommended microfluidic platforms for environmental monitoring to detect pollutants in the water using very minimal chemicals to support eco-friendly behavior. The trend is accelerating with the development of biodegradable materials for wider adoption of microfluidic devices and bringing industry pace in line with sustainability goals. The adoption of microfluidic technologies in Australia has wide-ranging applications in sectors such as healthcare, biotechnology, environmental monitoring, and agriculture. In healthcare, the microfluidic devices are increasingly used at the point-of-care level for rapid and result-oriented diagnosis of diseases at bedside. Here in Australia, these devices are used in quite a number of hospitals and clinics to bring considerable improvement in health services. For example, microfluidics-based infectious diseases tests have been widely accepted in rural and remotely situated areas that have limited access to traditional facilities, evidenced by the work startup Atomo Diagnostics has done. The reason for this huge demand is an urge for effective, cost-efficient, and reliable diagnosis solutions. Microfluidic technologies belong to the area of extreme flexibility, and for this reason, they are applied in very different fields. Notably, they are adapted to the needs of a particular case. On the other hand, the versatility offered by microfluidic platforms allows integration of multiple functionalities like mixing, separation, and detection on a single chip. This flexibility is reflected in the work of researchers at UNSW, who are developing microfluidic devices for very different applications, from genetic analyses to drug screening. Such technology is very flexible for application in different domains of research and industrial settings because it brings ease to the design and fabrication of bespoke microfluidic solutions quickly and cost-effectively.

The Australia microfluidics market presents an emerging industry spread across product types and applications. Microfluidic-based devices are integrated systems using lab-on-a-chip technology to hold a wide array of applications, including diagnostics, drug discovery, and chemical synthesis. These advantages come with low sample volume requirements, high throughput, and very exact control over the reaction conditions. Examples of microfluidic-based devices in Australia include point-of-care diagnostic devices for infectious disease detection, drug discovery platforms for the discovery and development of cancer biomarkers, and environmental monitoring systems for water quality monitoring. The microfluidic component is the simplest form of microfluidic-based device. Such various microfluidic components are microchannels, micropumps, microvalves, microsensors, and microactuators. Microchannels are the most applied microfluidic components, and they form the pathways by which fluids are transported in microfluidic chips. Micropumps control the flow of fluids; microvalves regulate the fluid flow; microsensors detect changes in physical or chemical properties; and microactuators manipulate fluids. On the other hand, some examples of microfluidic components in Australia include polymer-based microchannels for life sciences and diagnostics applications, piezoelectric micropumps for drug delivery and chemical synthesis, and microvalves for use in biotechnological and medical devices. When it comes to materials, polymers are the most applied in Australia for microfluidic devices due to their low cost, ease of fabrication, and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, glass and silicon find applications in uses that demand high precision and optical transparency. Paper, ceramic, hydrogel, and metal materials are also involved in microfluidics in Australia. These end-users represent the Australian microfluidic market: hospitals and diagnostic centers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutes, and others, such as CROs and industrial users. For example, some players that operate in the Australian microfluidics market are MiniFAB Pty Ltd., Fluidic Solutions Pty Ltd., Elveflow Microfluidics Pty Ltd., and Trajan Scientific and Medical Pty Ltd. This will involve companies providing a wide range of based devices and microfluidic components applied in many different areas. Microfluidic technologies have been around for a few decades. However, during the past 10 years we have witnessed a paradigm shift in their capabilities and applications across life sciences and diagnostics. Microfluidic technologies have progressed from being a simple automation technique for a wide range of assays to harbouring new assay formats such as Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) by reducing time and cost savings per assay .With hundreds of different types of micropumps, fluid delivery/handling systems and microvalves already available, it is imperative that we adopt existing technology and principles into applications in medical diagnostics and therapeutics. This can ideally generate a new market for Australian microfluidic devices. For instance, the commercially available glucose meter is often regarded as the archetype for a simple diagnostic device. It is cheap ($10–$20 US), easy to operate, provides a clear digital readout of blood glucose level, and uses disposable paper strips for sample delivery. The Australian segment of the microfluidics market is split into five based on material makeup are polymer, glass, silicon, and other materials. All these materials have their own, unique properties, advantages, and applications that are helping fuel the growth of the Australian microfluidics market. Polymer-based microfluidics are most used in Australia owing to the low cost, ease of fabrication, and biocompatibility. Used, for example, in the fabrication of microfluidic devices, are polymers such as polydimethylsiloxane, polyurethane, and polycarbonate. For instance, the University of Melbourne has developed a microfluidic device based on PDMS for the detection of cancer biomarkers in blood samples. That may actually revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Australia. In addition, polymer-based microfluidics have been utilized in various Australian research institutions for developing new diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis. Glass microfluidics is also used a great deal in Australia, particularly in the development of lab-on-a-chip devices. Glass is among the popular materials due to its features of chemical inertness, thermal stability, and optical transparency. For instance, the CSIRO has created a glass-based microfluidic device that detects waterborne pathogens. This device will enhance water quality monitoring in Australia and reduce exposure to diseases from contaminated water. Moreover, glass-based microfluidics are being used in Australian biotechnology firms for developing new gene disorder diagnostic tests. Interest in silicon-based microfluidics is thus growing in Australia, particularly in the development of MEMS and nanofluidics. Among the main reasons behind the high interest in silicon materials is that they offer both high precision and high throughput but at low costs. For example, researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a silicon-based microfluidic device that detects biomarkers in blood. That hence opened up new opportunities to better the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in Australia. Australian research institutions are utilizing silicon-based microfluidics in the development of innovative diagnostic tests for different neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Other materials that are in use within Australia for microfluidics include papers, ceramics, hydrogels, and metals. Having papery microfluidics, for example, researchers are developing diagnostic low-cost point-of-care tests. The University of Queensland has developed a paper-based microfluidic device to detect malaria in blood samples, making it possible to enhance health outcomes in developing countries. Australian research institutions have made use of ceramic-based microfluidics for the development of novel diagnostic tests against infectious diseases, like tuberculosis. The Australian microfluidics market includes a whole range of applications. The main application areas to which microfluidics is being utilized in Australia have been in point-of-care diagnostics. Microfluidic-based devices provide several advantages for point-of-care diagnostics, such as low sample volume requirements with high throughput and rapid results. Examples of microfluidic-based point-of-care diagnostic devices in Australia include SpeeDx Pty. This includes the infectious diseases tests and antibiotic resistance detection from Ltd. ResistancePlus, and the Atomo Diagnostics rapid diagnostic tests for HIV and malaria. An key application of microfluidics in Australia is within drug delivery systems. Microfluidic-based drug delivery gives control over the drug release, has the potential for highly targeted delivery, and minimizes side effects. Examples may include a microfluidic broad RNA delivery platform by EnGenelC Pty Ltd. for the treatment of genetic diseases or Elixinol Global Limited's microencapsulation technology used in the bioavailability of cannabinoids. Microfluidics find applications in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research in Australia. Microfluidic-based devices offer several advantages to research applications, including particularly high throughput screening, low sample volume requirements, and precision reaction conditions control. One such example of a microfluidic-based research tool in Australia is the MiCheck platform of Trajan Scientific and Medical Pty Ltd. in relation to the analysis of complex biological samples. The other prime Australian application of microfluidics is in vitro diagnostics. Some of the advantages of using microfluidic-based in vitro diagnostic devices include high sensitivity, high specificity, and rapid results. A few examples of Australian microfluidic-based in vitro diagnostics are APAS® Independence, an LBT Innovations Limited instrument for automated detection of bacterial infections, and AnteoBind®, an AnteoTech Ltd. technology for detecting biomarkers. Other areas of application include environmental testing and industrial applications in Australia. Microfluidics devices towards environmental testing in Australia range from a device for water quality monitoring by Envirotek Services Pty Ltd to detection equipment that detects explosives, the product of DetectED-X Pty Ltd. Some Australian examples of microfluidic-based implementation in industry include microfluidic reactors developed by BluGlass Limited for the synthesis of semiconductor materials and microfluidic devices for oil and gas sample analyses from Fluidic Solutions Pty Ltd. Basically, the segmentation of the microfluidics market in Australia by end-user is divided into four chief categories: hospitals and diagnostic centers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutes, and others. All of these end users have their own special needs and applications driving the growth of the microfluidics market in Australia. The biggest users are hospitals and diagnostic centers, with a share of about 40% in Australia. In the hospital and clinical setting, microfluidics are applied for point-of-care testing, diagnosis of diseases, and monitoring of patients. For example, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney adopted a microfluidic-based system to identify the presence of sepsis within the shortest time—a life-threatening condition if not treated quicker. It has brought down the time taken for diagnosis from the current many hours to just a few minutes; this is therefore timely treatment, ensuring better outcome in the patients. Another example is that of SpeeDx, a Melbourne-based company focused on developing a microfluidic-based diagnostic test for resistance to antibiotics. The test helps the hospital or diagnostic center realize what type of antibiotic resistant bacteria it is dealing with, hence helping in administering targeted treatment and reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The second largest end users of microfluidics in Australia are pharmaceutical and biotech companies, at about 30%. Microfluidics is finding its application run in drug discovery, development, and testing. For instance, CSL Limited—a biotech company based in Australia—is employing microfluidics in the development of new therapeutic antibodies against cancer and autoimmune diseases. Opal Bioscience in Melbourne, for example, has developed a high-throughput screening platform using microfluidics for drug candidates. Its platform allows pharmaceutical and biotech corporations to screen out, pace quickly and precisely, potential candidates from the raw reservoirs—thereby saving time and resources incurred within the drug development course of action. In such cases, microfluidics is being used for basic research, proof of concept studies, and developing new microfluidic devices and systems. AIBN from the University of Queensland has developed a microfluidic platform to investigate cancer cell behavior and drug response. For example, UNSW's School of Biomedical Engineering has developed a microfluidic-based system for the investigation of cardiovascular disease. It is in such an in-vitro environment that the researcher can possibly understand the behavior of these blood cells and vessels, enlightening to mechanisms underlying basic cardiovascular disease. Other Australian end-users of microfluidics are the contract research organization, industrial users, and government bodies. For example, the Melbourne-based CRO Avance Clinical applies microfluidics in providing the contract research services that support pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations. The industrial users, including the Australian Corporation Orica, use microfluidics to develop new industrial processes and products. Considered in this report • Historic year: 2018 • Base year: 2023 • Estimated year: 2024 • Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report • Microfluids market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation By Product Type • Microfluidic-based Devices • Microfluidic Components (Microfluidic Chips, Micro Pumps, Microneedles and other Mocrofluids Components Type) By Material • Polymer • Glass • Silicon • Other Materials (Paper-based microfluidics, Ceramic-based microfluidics, Hydrogels, Metal-based microfluidics) By Application • Point-of-care diagnostics • Drug delivery systems • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology research • In vitro diagnostics • Others (e.g., environmental testing, industrial applications) By End User • Hospitals and diagnostic centers • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies • Academic and research institutes • Others (e.g., contract research organizations, industrial users) The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Microfluids industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.