Specimen Collection Cards Market

Specimen Collection Cards Market Overview

The global specimen collection cards market size, valued at USD 461 million in 2024, is projected to reach USD 485 million in 2025 and USD 734 million by 2035, representing a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period.

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Specimen Collection Cards Industry: In Summary

• The growing focus on newborn screening and the escalating field of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are creating a continuous, high-volume demand for reliable and efficient sample collection cards.
• Notably, the continuous innovation in specimen collection cards industry, including the recent USFDA Class 1 medical device listing for Ahlstrom's cards and QIAGEN's advanced malaria testing solutions, underscores a dynamic landscape ripe for new entrants and strategic partnerships.
• In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards more efficient, less invasive, and highly accurate diagnostic methods. Blood, as a rich source of biomarkers, continues to play an indispensable role in this progress.
• In terms of specimen segment, blood specimen segment holds 87% market share, driven by its indispensable role in disease diagnosis.
• Newborn screening leads application areas, notably, research segment is likely to witness high CAGR as personalized medicine and targeted therapies drive demand for advanced sample collection.
• North America is capturing 35% specimen collection cards market share driven by technological advancements, established healthcare infrastructure, and rising need for contamination free sample collection cards / devices.
• Asia-Pacific is also emerging as a high-growth region due to the growing adoption of advanced sample collection devices for newborn screening.
• The shift towards cards preserving multiple analyte types simultaneously expands applicability and streamlines workflows. QR codes and RFID tags are enhancing sample tracking and chain-of-custody, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
• The specimen collection cards market is not just growing; it's evolving rapidly, presenting a clear and compelling opportunity for strategic investment and impactful partnerships for innovating miniaturization & micro-sampling, represent a significant growth avenue.
• Market players, such as Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) has launched a NUCLEIC-CARD sample collection device, new addition to the human identification (HID) sample collection solutions. This consistent focus of market players on launching new products and innovations are the key factors for market growth in the upcoming years.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Introduction

Specimen collection cards are uniquely designed for storing and transporting biological samples, including blood, urine, stool, sputum, and others. These collection cards are made of pure absorbent white fibers, free from chemicals and wet-strength additives. Conventionally, biological sample collection requires complex cold-chain logistics, specialized storage facilities, and immediate processing capabilities that are expensive and logistically challenging, especially in remote or resource-limited settings. These specimen collection cards help to overcome this limitation by allowing ambient temperature storage and transportation, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining sample integrity.

Furthermore, the ability of specimen collection cards to preserve DNA, RNA and other molecules for extended period has further offered new possibilities for field-based research and epidemiological studies. Specialized specimen sample collections cards, which include dried blood spot (DBS) collection cards, Fast Technology for Analysis (FTA) cards, and other chemically treated filter papers, have revolutionized sample collection methodologies across multiple sectors including clinical diagnostics, newborn screening, forensic analysis, and biomedical research.

Given the fundamental advantages, industrial players are showing active interest in this field for innovations and product portfolio strengthening. For instance, in February 2025, Ahlstrom (Finland) announced that Ahlstrom’s biological sample collection cards has been officially listed by the USFDA as Class 1 medical devices. This classification by the USFDA ensures the safety, and compliance of GenSaver™ 2.0, GenSaver™ Color 2.0, AutoCollect™, 5 circles, BioSample, HemaSep™ Strip, HemaSep™ Punch and Lipid Saver™ sample collection cards with the highest industry standards.

As more market players continue to accelerate the development of sample collection cards, we believe that specimen collection cards market will continue to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period.

Specimen Collection Cards Market: Report Attributes

Key Report Attributes	Details
Historical Trend	Since 2020
Forecast Period	Till 2035
Market Size 2025	USD 485 Million
Market Size 2035	USD 734 Million
CAGR (Till 2035)	4.2%

One of the key objectives of the specimen collection cards market report was to estimate the current size, opportunity, and the market growth potential, over the forecast period, till 2035. We have provided informed estimates on the likely evolution of the market for the forecast period.

The global specimen collection cards market analysis report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity within the market across various segments, such as type of specimen, type of material, type of product, application area, distribution channel, end user, geographical regions, and leading players.

In order to account for future uncertainties associated with some of the key parameters and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base, and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of industry’s evolution.

What are the Recent Developments in the Specimen Collection Cards Industry?

Several recent developments have taken place in the field of specimen collection cards, and we outlined some of these below.

• In April 2025, QIAGEN (Germany) announced the launch of QIAprep& Plasmodium kit and two companion assays to support malaria research. This new solution also combines quantitative PCR (qPCR) and QIAcard FTA cards to offer high sensitivity for malaria testing.
• In April 2025, Quanterix, introduced new dried blood spot extraction (DBS) kit at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders (AD / PD) in Vienna, Austria. The kit has been developed for their world class Simoa® assay kits, and allows investigators to quantify low-level biomarkers from dried blood spots in a less invasive manner.
• In February 2025, Tufts researchers enter into the collaboration with scientists in South Africa to trial a paper-based device to measure HIV viral loads from dried blood samples.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Segmentation Insights

The market report provides comprehensive information on specimen collection cards industry players who are currently active across various segments of the industry as mentioned in the table below.

Specimen Collection Cards Market: Market Segmentation

Market Segmentations	Details
Type of Specimen	Blood Saliva Urine Buccal Cells Others
Type of Material	Cotton & Cellulose-Based Fiber-Based Others
Type of Product	Whatman 903 Ahlstrom 226 FTA Others
Application Area	Newborn Screening (NBS) Infectious Diseases Testing Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Forensics Research Wellbeing / Health Monitoring Other Applications
Distribution Channel	Offline Online
End User	Hospitals & Clinics Diagnostics Centers Others
Geographical Regions	North America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East and North Africa Latin America
Market In North America	US Canada Mexico
Market In Europe	France Germany Italy Spain UK Rest of Europe
Market in Asia-Pacific	China India Japan South Korea Rest of the Asia-Pacific
Market in Middle East and North Africa	Egypt Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates
Market in Latin America	Argentina Brazil

Specimen Collection Cards Market Share Insights

Market Share by Type of Specimen: Blood Segment Holds the Largest Share

• The global market is distributed based on the type of specimen into blood, saliva, urine, buccal cells, and others. According to the specimen collection cards market report, In 2025, blood segment holds 87% share of the market. This dominance is underpinned by the fact that blood samples are widely collected using specimen collection cards for disease diagnosis in hospitals.
• It is worth noting that the saliva segment is likely to show potential growth in the future, likely to represent a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Notably, specimen collection cards for DNA and RNA stabilization are invaluable tools in-vitro diagnostic tool that enable the convenient and reliable collection, transport, and long-term storage of biological samples, such as saliva at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for immediate cold chain preservation.

Market Share by Type of Material: Cotton & Cellulose-Based Segment Holds the Largest Share

• Based on the material type, the global market is segmented into cotton & cellulose-based, fiber-based, and others. Notably, the cotton & cellulose-based segment accounts for 56% of the specimen collection cards market size. Cotton & cellulose-based specimen collection cards, such as Whatman 903 cards, are used as a standardized choice for collecting samples in laboratories, which is likely to fuel its demand.
• In the long run, fiber-based segment is likely to show substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is potentially due to the increasing adoption across various industries. Fiber-based specimen collection cards are made with synthetic fibers that can be tailored to meet diverse needs. Furthermore, fiber-based material is relatively inexpensive, which further increases its adoption across industrial sectors.

Market Share by Type of Product: Whatman 903 Holds the Dominate the Market

• This segment highlights the distribution of global market across different types of product, such as Whatman 903, Ahlstrom 226, FTA, and others. According to the specimen collection cards market forecast, Whatman 903 segment (41%) holds the highest share of the market. This is primarily due to the fact that Whatman 903 specimen collection cards are widely used in research studies and collection of blood samples.
• It is worth noting that the FTA segment is anticipated registering a higher CAGR during the forecast period. FTA is increasingly adopted across various clinical applications, such as genetic disease screening in newborn babies and bacterial genetic research.

Market Share by Application Area: Newborn Screening Holds the Highest Share

• Based on the application area, the global market is segmented into newborn screening (NBS), infectious diseases testing, therapeutic drug monitoring, forensics, research, wellbeing / health monitoring, and other applications. According to our projection, the newborn screening segment holds 25% share of the specimen collection cards market. This dominance is primarily driver by the increasing pace of research on genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria and government initiatives to mitigate the concern of gene disorders. Notably, the newborn screening is essential to identify the chances of genetic diseases at early stage which further helps to take treatment decision to reduce disease severity.
• It is important to highlight that the research segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. With increasing focus on targeted therapies, and personalized treatment approach, there has been an increased in the demand for specimen collection cards to collect samples for disease diagnosis to design treatment plans.

Market Share by Distribution Channel: Offline Segment Holds the Highest Share

• The global market is further categorized across different Distribution channels, such as offline and online. According to the specimen collection cards market analysis, the offline segment holds the nearly 75% share of the market, and the trend is likely to remain unchanged during the upcoming years. Offline channels, such as healthcare clinics and pharmacies offer convenience of purchasing and provide more specimen collection cards options.
• Notably, in the future, online segment is likely to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. This is potentially due to the availability of wide range of specimen collection cards on online platforms for different sample types, such as saliva, blood, urine, and stool.

Market Share by End User: Hospitals & Clinics Segment Occupies the Largest Share

• Based on the end user, the global market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, diagnostics centers, and others. According to the specimen collection cards market growth analysis, hospitals & clinics hold the largest share (64%) of the market. A significant increase in the number of births in hospitals has underscored the demand for specimen collection cards for mandatory newborn genetic disease screening test.
• In future, the diagnostic centers segment is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid increase in the diagnostic testing for chronic conditions is likely to bolster the demand for specimen collection cards in diagnostic centers.

Market Share by Geographical Regions: North America is Dominating the Market

• The global market is distributed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America. Based on the recent analysis, North America is capturing the largest specimen collection cards market share (35%). This dominant position reflects several favorable factors, including well-established healthcare infrastructure, high healthcare expenditure levels, and widespread adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies. The US, in particular, has been an early adopter of specimen collection card technologies, driven by comprehensive newborn screening programs and substantial investment in biomedical research.
• In Asia-Pacific, the market for specimen collection cards is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. This is likely to be driven by the increasing expenditure on healthcare systems, rising awareness about early genetic disease diagnosis and prevalence of chronic conditions.

Specimen Collection Cards Market: Report Deliverables

Report Deliverables	Details
Excel Data Packs (Complimentary)	Available
Key Specimen Collection Cards Companies Profiled	Ahlstrom (Finland) ARCHIMED Life Science (Austria) CENTOGENE (Germany) DBS System (Singapore) Danaher (US) Eastern Business Forms (US) FortiusBio (US) GenTegra (California) PerkinElmer (US) QIAGEN (Germany) Roche (Switzerland) Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) (A complete list of companies captured is available in the report)
PowerPoint Presentation (Complimentary)	Available
Customization Scope	15% Free Customization

Specimen Collection Cards Market Major Takeaways

The “Specimen Collection Cards Market: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, till 2035” market report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, market size, market share, market growth, market trends, market value, market forecast, market outlook, statistics, and future opportunities future opportunities within the specimen collection cards industry, during the forecast period.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Competitive Landscape

The market for specimen collection cards is moderately competitive and is characterized by the presence of several well-established and new entrants. Market players, such as QIAGEN (Germany), PerkinElmer (US), Roche (Switzerland), Thermos Fischer Scientific (US), and Ahlstrom (Finland) are encouraging the development of advanced specimen collection cards for sample collection and transportation.

For instance, recently Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) introduced a latest NUCLEIC-CARD Sample Collection Device, new addition to the HID sample collection solutions. This newly launched device helps in biological sample collection, transportation, and archiving DNA samples for paternity analysis in forensic laboratories.  It is worth noting that the company’s comprehensive product portfolio and established distribution networks provide significant competitive advantages.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Size Analysis

In 2025, the specimen collection cards market is valued at USD 485.15 million and is poised to reach at USD 734.21 million by 2035. This lucrative growth is due to the growing demand for safe and easy-to-use specimen collection products. In terms of geographical regions, North America is dominating industry and is likely to remain dominant during the upcoming years. This is potentially due to the presence of established industrial players, and high prevalence of chronic conditions that remain periodic sample collection for disease monitoring / treatment progress. Further, industrial players are aiming to develop DBS cards for therapeutic drug monitoring at home in this region, which is likely to fuel market growth in the upcoming years.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Drivers: What Factors are Propelling Market Growth?

Rising Initiatives of Newborn Screening for Potential Diseases

Some of the notable specimen collection cards market growth drivers includes rising initiatives of prenatal and newborn screening to identify the potential risk of genetic diseases. Notably, the direct blood spot collection cards serve as a gold standard for newborn testing protocols as it maintains sample integrity during storage and transportation. Early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment, which can significantly improve health outcomes, prevent severe developmental delays, and even save lives. This proactive public health approach inherently generates a massive and continuous demand for reliable and affordable specimen collection cards for remote healthcare.

Escalating Field of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

It is worth noting that the escalating field of pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring are further contributing to the high demand for specimen collection cards in the future. Notably, pharmacokinetics studies analyze how a drug moves through its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. In addition, therapeutic drug monitoring involves precisely measuring drug levels in a patient's blood to ensure optimal dosing and minimize toxicity. Both of these processes necessitate frequent and accurate collection of biological samples, often blood, over specific time intervals. In addition, pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations increasingly utilize specimen collection cards for forensic and pharmacokinetic studies.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Challenges: What are the Potential Challenges That Impact Market Growth?

Risk of Contamination During Sample Collection and Limited Awareness

Despite increasing demand, the specimen collection cards industry is witnessing several challenges. Some notable challenges include high risk of cross-contamination during handling and storage procedures. The chances of contamination may compromise the analytical results. In addition, limited awareness about specimen collection cards among healthcare personnel may hinder the adoption rate.

Complex Regulatory Guidelines for Quality Control

The complex regulatory guidelines for specimen collection cards for bio-banking and large-scale screening to ensure quality control and standardization may pose significant challenge for the market players. Unlike traditional lab-based sample collection, specimen collection cards are often used in varied settings, including point-of-care diagnostics, home collection, and remote locations. This widespread application, while a driver of demand, brings with it a multitude of regulatory frameworks for standardization of collection devices across different countries and even within regions.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Trends: What are the Top Specimen Collection Cards Market Opportunities?

Multiple Analyte Type Specimen Collection Cards

The market is experiencing a transformative shift due to the emerging opportunities. Some of the potential opportunities include the integration of advanced chemical preservation technologies represents a particularly significant trend for manufacturers. The current focus of top manufacturers of specimen collection cards will be on the development of coating formulations that can preserve multiple analyte types simultaneously. These multi-analyte preservation capabilities are expanding the applicability of specimen collection cards beyond traditional single-purpose applications.

Integration of Digital Tracking Technologies

Digital integration and tracking technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent. Currently, the specimen collection cards industrial players are incorporating QR codes, RFID tags, and other digital identifiers to enhance sample tracking and chain-of-custody documentation. These technological enhancements address regulatory requirements while improving laboratory workflow efficiency and reducing the risk of sample misidentification or loss.

Miniaturization and Micro-Sampling

The trends towards miniaturization and micro-sampling is gaining momentum, driven by the need to collect smaller sample volumes while maintaining analytical sensitivity. This trend is particularly relevant for pediatric applications and situations where sample volume is limited. Manufacturers are focusing on developing cards with enhanced surface chemistry that can capture and preserve analytes from increasingly small sample volumes. Considering the ongoing focus, miniaturization will be the future of dried blood spot collection cards industry.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Report Coverage

The market report presents an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders in the specimen collection cards industry, across different geographies. Amongst other elements, the market report includes:

• An Infographic Executive Summary
• Regulatory Scenario
• Comprehensive Database of Leading Players
• Competitive Landscape
• Company Competitiveness Analysis
• Startup Ecosystem in Specimen Collection Cards Market
• Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
• Value Chain Analysis
• Company Profiles
• Patent Analysis
• Market Opportunity Analysis
• Adjacent Market Analysis

From the Author’s Desk

Author’s View on Specimen Collection Cards Market

The specimen collection cards market represents a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector with substantial growth potential across multiple application areas and geographical regions. Market fundamentals remain strong, supported by favorable healthcare trends, technological innovations, and expanding regulatory support. While challenges exist, particularly related to standardization and awareness, the overall market outlook remains highly positive. The opportunities further lie in innovation, strategic partnerships, and focused execution on customer education and quality improvement initiatives.

Glossary

• Dried Blood Spot (DBS): A biological sample collection method where blood is applied to and absorbed by filter paper, then dried for storage and transportation at ambient temperatures.
• FTA Cards: Fast Technology for Analysis cards that are chemically treated filter papers designed to lyse cells, denature proteins, and protect DNA and RNA from degradation.
• Newborn Screening: Public health programs that test newborn babies for serious genetic, metabolic, and infectious diseases that can be treated early in life.
• Pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body processes drugs, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.