Medical Diagnostic Reagents, Carriers and Other Consumables

Report Highlights

• The U.S. market will reach $7.9 billion in 2008, up from $7.1 billion in 2003.
• Representing an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 2.1%, this indicates a significant slowing of the U.S. market.
• The global market will average 4.5%/year growth through 2008, reaching $23.6 billion.
• Greatest growth is expected in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South and East Asia.

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, there have been dramatic changes in the diagnostic market. The range of conditions now being tested has greatly expanded, along with an increased variety of the analytical techniques employed. Other major trends have been the rapid growth of the at-home testing market, and expansion of the medical research market segment. An additional trend has been the development of inexpensive, automated testing devices known as point-of-care (POC) instruments.

Clinical and research laboratories, healthcare providers, and manufacturers of single-use medical diagnostic kits (MDKs) in the United States consume $6.8 billion per year of in-vitro reagents, chemicals, and other consumables to evaluate individuals' overall health and diagnose, treat and monitor disease. This study focuses on the market for reagents and other active substances used to interact with sample substances to produce a reaction that can be measured and/or seen. It also looks at nonactive ingredients added to, or used in conjunction with reagents to enhance their manufacturability, performance, and/or preservation (e.g., surfactants, polymers, functional materials, biocides and preservatives). In addition, it studies consumables or single-use devices and containers, such as vials, cards, slides, films, filters, membranes and trays. These are integral parts of the tests carried out using reagents.

BCC reports on the U.S. and global markets for diagnostic reagents, chemicals and other consumables in light of the most recent available information. It analyzes these products by application (e.g., infectious diseases, cancer), product type (e.g., type of reagent) and target market (e.g., consumer market or research laboratories). Future trends are assessed with consumption forecasts are provided for specific market segments. In addition, the study reviews technological, economic and regulatory developments that may have a long-term impact on market size and structure.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report cover the following topics:

• Major product types and applications, both commercial and developmental
• U.S. market size by application, product type and end-user group
• Market drivers and constraints
• Detailed U.S. market projections through 2008
• Industry structure, competition and market shares
• The future for diagnostic reagents, chemicals and consumables.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered from manufacturers and distributors of diagnostic reagents, chemicals, and other consumables, as well as manufacturers of related devices (e.g., medical diagnostic kits), laboratories, and other end users. Interview data were combined with information gathered through an extensive review of secondary sources, such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature, and online databases to produce the baseline market estimates contained in this report.

The base year for analyses and projections is 2002. At the time this report was prepared, year-end data for 2002 were not yet universally available. Where necessary, market estimates for 2002 were developed using interim (partial) data for 2002 combined with historical data for the years 1999 to 2001.

With 2002 as a baseline, market projections were developed for 2003 to 2008. These projections are based on a consensus among the primary contacts combined with our understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective. The analytical methodologies used to generate the market estimates are described in detail in Detailed Market Projections. All dollar projections presented in this report are in 2002 constant dollars.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Andrew McWilliams, the author of this report, is a partner in the Boston-based international technology and marketing consulting firm, 43rd Parallel, LLC. He is also the author of several other Communications Co. studies on the health-care and related industries, including: B-121N, Plant-Derived Drugs: Products, Technology, Applications; GA-085R, Evolving Nutraceutical ; C-140N, Trends in Noninvasive and Minimally Invasive Medical Device Markets; and B-182, Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery Markets.