REPORT SCOPE
INTRODUCTION
In vitro toxicology has become of major importance in bringing many products to market. In the current climate of product liability lawsuits and increasing insurance premiums to pay these claims, corporations must be confident that their products are safe and effective. In vitro toxicology is gaining wider acceptance, as a means of determining if a product could be toxic, or whether a compound must be treated as hazardous. In vitro toxicology also is becoming more widely accepted in the scientific and regulatory community, and has the additional cachet of being "politically correct." There is no current substitute for in vitro toxicology, and there will not be any lack of demand, given the escalating requirements for new pharmaceuticals and other products.
The in vitro toxicology industry is in the throes of a revolution. Genomics discoveries have profoundly altered much of the dynamics of this industry over the past five years or so, and this change is continuing. However, it is difficult to get solid information on how much in vitro toxicology testing is being carried out. Many popular sources have presented a very incomplete picture, especially since estimates of the size of the toxicology testing market have been based more on wishful thinking than careful analysis. Furthermore, the diversification of in vitrotoxicological testing means that even companies in the industry have an incomplete picture of in vitro toxicology.
BCC's report examines the realities of the marketplace, and achievable goals for the manufacturers of in vitro products. It also asks the following important questions: What is the role of in vitro toxicology in testing pharmaceuticals, personal care products and cosmetics? What companies produce products for in vitro toxicology? What companies are purchasing in vitro toxicological research and which companies are performing this research? What are the important trends to watch for concerning in vitro toxicology?
This study will be invaluable to CEOs, marketers, developers and strategic planners involved in pharmaceuticals, personal care products and cosmetics. It is readily accessible for those readers with a background, but accuracy concerning the technological aspects of in vitro toxicology has not been sacrificed.
SCOPE OF STUDY
Coverage of the report includes:
- Industry structure along with selected company profiles
- Relevant government agencies and other organizations affecting in vitro toxicology
- Available products and how these products are applied in the marketplace
- Market applications and relevant trends in these markets with five-year forecasts
- Technology overview that discusses current technologies and future trends.
METHODOLOGY
This report is the end result of 4 months of concerted effort by the author. Previously, the author published a report with the same title over 6 years ago. However, rapid changes in the field of in vitro toxicology have made many of the conclusions of that study obsolete. This current study does build upon some of the previous framework, but most of this study is effectively de novo research.
Since this study was not commissioned by any corporation or individual, the author's brief in writing this study was to be as objective as possible.
Any time an estimate for a number has been made, the underlying assumptions are discussed. Thus if a reader chooses to interpret the raw data in a differing manner, it is possible to do so. Dollar amounts are in constant 2002 dollars, and average annual growth rates (AAGR) are calculated using standard tables.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The primary sources of information for writing this report came from interviews with several dozen people in industry and the government. Many of the people interviewed are recognized authorities in the field, and provided invaluable assistance and insight, and I would like to thank all who took the time to speak with me for their help with this project.
Secondary sources include a number of publications put out by the federal government, including items on the Internet, corporate literature, and publications in peer-reviewed literature.
AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS
The author has published over a dozen reports while working for BCC, on a variety of topics ranging from carbon nanotubes to friction materials. The author earned a Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry researching the mechanisms of chromium carcinogenesis in an interdisciplinary group. Interaction with the other members of the team led to first hand experience with many of the tools of toxicology testing, including animal handling.
