Immunoassays: Technologies, Markets

Report Highlights

• As the human genome-sequencing project nears completion and other organisms' genomes are sequenced, the number of known proteins increases. Many proteins are currently being used and will be used as diagnostic tools in immunoassays. Immunoassays are used in a variety of applications: medical diagnostics, infectious disease testing, drug testing, home use, hormones, veterinary diagnostic, cancer, tissue typing, research, food testing, environmental testing, industrial chemicals, plant disease diagnostics, and biotechnology products testing. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, radio-labeled, and immunoprecipitation are some of the old and new immunoassay technologies being used. New immunoassay technologies are also being developed. Since the number of known proteins and the potential number of immunoassays are increasing, it is interesting to analyze the current and developing immunoassay technologies and markets.
• This report is an analytical tool whose primary purpose is to show increased growth in the current and emerging clinical, food safety, and environmental immunoassay fields. The report discusses specific, patented technology, the role of government regulation and patents that affect the development and growth of the various immunoassay markets.

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This immunoassay technology and application study provides a detailed overview of current and prospective immunoassay technology and uses of immunoassay technology in clinical, food safety, and environmental applications. It supplements a 1992 Communication Company, Inc. survey of immunoassays. In addition, the study addresses current and prospective changes in these areas resulting from government regulations and patent legislation.

This report provides data analysis and forecasts through the year 2006 on:

• market composition and dynamics;
• market size;
• market participants with related market shares;
• current and emerging technologies;
• current and emerging applications;
• impact of and trends in legal government regulations.

REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY

As the human genome sequencing project nears completion and other organisms' genomes are sequenced, the number of known proteins and potential number of proteins is increasing. Many proteins are currently being used and will be used as diagnostic tools in immunoassays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, and radiolabelled are some of the current immunoassay technologies being used. New immunoassay technologies are also being developed. Since the number of known proteins and therefore the potential number of immunoassays are increasing, it is interesting to analyze the current and developing immunoassay technologies and markets.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM

The use and development of immunoassay technology in clinical, food safety, and environmental applications is wide spread and will continue to grow in all three of these areas.

The information in this report will be valuable to all participants and observers of the immunoassay industry, and the related equipment and reagents industries. The report should also be of interest to researchers, laboratory, and government personnel working in other applications of immunoassay that include home-use, veterinary diagnostics, plant disease, and other biotechnology products testing.

The contents of this report are focused on the growth of immunoassay technology in clinical, food safety, and environmental areas:

• technological apsects of immunoassay testing in the clinical, food safety, and environmental areas;
• specific categories of immunoassay tests in the clinical, food safety, and environmental areas;
• market segments;
• government regulations;
• technology patents and role they play in development;
• prospective technological developments of immunoassay tests in clinical, food safety, and environmental areas; and
• new markets.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

This report is an analytical tool whose primary purpose is to show increased growth in the current and emerging clinical, food safety, and environmental immunoassay fields. The report discusses specific, patented technology, the role of government regulation and patents that affect the development and growth of the various immunoassay markets.

Appendices include specialized and potential immunoassay markets, relevant associations, URLs, conferences, and a list of companies involved in clinical, food safety, and environmental immunoassay markets.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The primary data collection methodology for this report is based on interviews with industry and government agency personnel, industry observers, scientists and industry professional organizations. Additional secondary data was collected using resources such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature and online databases.

Growth forecasts are made in 2000 dollars based on the manufacturers' (wholesale) price level unless otherwise noted.

BCC, Inc. personnel reviewed all collected data. Findings and projections were confirmed with numerous industry sources.