Specimen Collection Cards Market Overview

The Global Specimen Collection Cards Market is experiencing strong growth driven by the rising need for simplified, non-invasive, and cost-effective sample collection solutions across healthcare and research applications. Valued at USD 12.9 billion in 2025, the market is projected to reach USD 19.1 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.

Specimen collection cards are specialized tools used to collect, transport, and store biological samples such as blood, saliva, urine, or buccal cells in a dry and stable format. They are essential in newborn screening, infectious disease testing, forensic analysis, therapeutic drug monitoring, and genomic research. Their ease of use, low biohazard risk, and ability to maintain sample integrity without refrigeration make them highly valuable, especially in resource-limited or remote areas. The market’s expansion is supported by the increasing adoption of decentralized testing and home-based sample collection, advancements in molecular diagnostics, and government programs for disease surveillance and neonatal screening. Moreover, specimen collection cards play a critical role in epidemiological studies and biobanking, where long-term sample preservation is essential.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Drivers and Opportunities

​ Growing adoption of remote diagnostics and decentralized testing drives market growth

One of the major drivers fueling the specimen collection cards market is the global shift toward remote diagnostics, home-based testing, and decentralized laboratory workflows. The demand for point-of-care testing has surged as healthcare systems prioritize accessibility, convenience, and rapid diagnosis. Specimen collection cards, particularly dried blood spot (DBS) and FTA cards, offer a practical and affordable method for collecting, transporting, and analyzing samples without requiring cold-chain logistics or immediate laboratory processing. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, infectious outbreaks, and public health screening programs has increased the need for efficient sample collection methods that can reach underserved populations. Programs like newborn screening (NBS) and large-scale epidemiological studies have widely adopted these cards due to their ease of storage and minimal biohazard risk. Moreover, emerging markets in the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are deploying DBS cards for HIV, hepatitis, and metabolic disorder testing, enhancing early detection capabilities. The combination of technology integration, such as barcoding and digital tracking, with simplified sampling formats is making specimen collection more standardized and reliable. With healthcare models increasingly emphasizing accessibility and preventive care, specimen collection cards are becoming an indispensable part of the diagnostic infrastructure globally.

Advancements in molecular diagnostics and biobanking bolster global demand

Continuous innovations in molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics are expanding the scope of specimen collection cards beyond conventional screening. Modern cards are designed to preserve nucleic acids and proteins effectively, enabling downstream applications such as PCR, NGS, and biomarker analysis. These innovations ensure that small sample volumes collected from DBS cards can deliver reliable results comparable to traditional venipuncture samples. The rise of precision medicine and biobanking initiatives is another strong growth driver. Biorepositories and research institutions are increasingly using specimen cards for long-term storage of biological material because of their stability and reduced storage costs. Their compatibility with automation and data-driven laboratory management systems further enhances efficiency and scalability. In addition, regulatory bodies and healthcare organizations worldwide are supporting the standardization of specimen collection processes. This encourages adoption across clinical trials, drug monitoring, and disease surveillance programs. The convergence of molecular diagnostics and simplified sampling technologies positions specimen collection cards as a critical enabler of modern healthcare, particularly in personalized diagnostics and population genomics.

​Expanding applications in precision medicine and global health programs offer significant opportunities

The growing focus on precision medicine, telehealth, and global disease surveillance presents vast opportunities for the specimen collection cards market. As healthcare systems move toward personalized and data-driven care, there is a growing need for standardized, stable, and scalable sample collection tools that can support genetic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses. Specimen collection cards are emerging as a preferred medium for collecting minimally invasive samples that can be used in large-scale cohort studies, longitudinal monitoring, and remote patient management. Furthermore, government-backed newborn screening programs and global health initiatives for HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis are expanding the use of DBS and FTA cards. These cards are being integrated into digital health ecosystems that allow real-time sample tracking, remote diagnostics, and electronic health record (EHR) integration. In parallel, advancements in card materials and surface chemistry are improving analyte recovery, sensitivity, and reproducibility.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Scope

Specimen Collection Cards Market Report Segmentation Analysis

The global Specimen Collection Cards Market is segmented by Type, Material, Product, Application, Distribution Channel, End Use, and Region.

The blood segment accounted for the largest market share in the global Specimen Collection Cards market

By Type, the market is segmented into Blood, Saliva, Urine, Buccal Cells, and Others. The Blood segment dominates the global specimen collection cards market, holding the largest share of around 49.8% in 2025. Dried blood spot (DBS) collection is the most established method, extensively used in newborn screening, infectious disease testing, and therapeutic drug monitoring. The widespread clinical validation, ease of collection, and compatibility with analytical methods like mass spectrometry and PCR drive this segment’s dominance. Moreover, the increasing use of DBS cards in remote diagnostics and pharmacokinetic studies further enhances their demand. The non-invasive nature, reduced sample volume requirement, and simplified logistics have made blood-based specimen cards the preferred choice in both clinical and research settings. Continuous innovation in card substrates and spotting technologies ensures accuracy, stability, and reproducibility across applications, solidifying the blood segment’s leading position.

The cotton & Cellulose-based material segment dominates the specimen collection cards market

By Material, the market divides into Cotton & Cellulose-based, Fiber-based, and Others. The Cotton & Cellulose-based segment holds the largest share in 2025 due to its widespread adoption, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with a wide range of biological samples. These materials offer high absorbency, chemical stability, and uniform sample distribution—critical features for ensuring accurate diagnostic results. Products such as Whatman 903 and Ahlstrom 226 are manufactured using high-quality cellulose fibers and are widely used in clinical and research laboratories. Additionally, the natural porosity of cotton and cellulose materials facilitates efficient sample drying and long-term stability, minimizing degradation. Ongoing R&D is focused on enhancing the chemical treatment of these substrates to improve nucleic acid and protein recovery, further strengthening their dominance in the market.

The Whatman 903 product segment leads the global specimen collection cards market

By Product, the market is segmented into Whatman 903, Ahlstrom 226, FTA, and Others. The Whatman 903 card segment leads globally, recognized as the industry standard for newborn screening and blood spot collection. Manufactured from pure cellulose, Whatman 903 cards ensure consistent performance and compatibility with diverse analytical workflows. Their use is endorsed by major health organizations such as the CDC and WHO, reinforcing their clinical credibility. The extensive use of Whatman 903 cards in metabolic screening, infectious disease detection, and genetic testing programs continues to drive growth. Their proven quality, regulatory acceptance, and widespread availability make them the most trusted choice among healthcare providers and laboratories worldwide.

The following segments are part of an in-depth analysis of the global Specimen Collection Cards market:

Specimen Collection Cards Market Share Analysis by Region

The Asia Pacific region is projected to hold the largest share of the global Specimen Collection Cards market over the forecast period

The Asia Pacific (APAC) region accounted for 40.3% of the global market in 2025 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The region’s leadership is attributed to the rapid expansion of newborn screening programs, increasing healthcare investments, and strong government support for disease surveillance initiatives. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are deploying large-scale screening and research programs that utilize dried blood spot and saliva collection cards. The growing adoption of point-of-care diagnostics, rising awareness about preventive health, and the proliferation of research collaborations between academic and commercial institutions further propel regional growth. Local manufacturing initiatives and affordable card options also enhance accessibility in developing economies.

In contrast, North America is expected to register the fastest CAGR during 2025–2033, driven by technological innovation, extensive research infrastructure, and the presence of major manufacturers. The U.S. market benefits from strong regulatory support, a focus on personalized medicine, and expanding applications of specimen cards in forensic and clinical research.

Specimen Collection Cards Market Competition Landscape Analysis

The global specimen collection cards market is moderately consolidated, with a mix of established players and emerging innovators competing based on product quality, certification, and application diversity. Leading manufacturers focus on enhancing sample preservation technologies, expanding digital integration, and forming collaborations with healthcare agencies and research bodies.​

Global Specimen Collection Cards Market Recent Developments News:

• In November 2024, Capitainer launched the Capitainer SEP10 collection card, a novel sampling device that enables the separation of cells from plasma at the point of collection without centrifugation. The product is set to be available in both the U.S. and the European Union markets.

• In September 2022, Capitainer, a Swedish startup, announced highly positive performance results for its qDBS card, a volumetric dried blood spot sampling device. The technology demonstrated accurate testing for phenylketonuria, overcoming limitations of conventional cards related to volume and hematocrit variability.

• In January 2024, Capitainer established miQro Lab Solutions, a new U.S. laboratory in Warwick, Rhode Island. This facility is designed to accelerate the integration of Capitainer’s self-sampling and diagnostic technologies into the U.S. healthcare system, supporting faster adoption of its user-friendly solutions.

The Global Specimen Collection Cards Market Is Dominated by a Few Large Companies, such as

●        Thermo Fisher Scientific

●        Whatman (GE Healthcare)

●        PerkinElmer

●        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

●        Qiagen

●        Merck KGaA

●        Sarstedt

●        Ahlstrom-Munksjö

●        ARCHIMEDES

●        LIA Diagnostics

●        FortiusBio

●        Macherey-Nagel

●        Cepheid

●        Bio-Rad Laboratories

●        Shimadzu Corporation

●        MEDISO

●        Nupore Filtration

●        Cytiva

●        LOPROCO

●        Lab-AidsOthers       

●        Others