Lab Automation in Bioanalysis Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

Lab automation in bioanalysis market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period. Biotechnology companies and research organizations have been investing massive amounts in R&D activities, primarily to develop new technologies that are expected to enhance their products. These companies are investing in proteomics, drug testing, high-throughput screening, and combinational chemistry to develop an environment-friendly biotechnology reagent. Hence, such developments are expected to contribute to the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Key Highlights

• Laboratory automation transformed the realm of drug discovery over the years, primarily through two major influential factors, such as error reduction and cost-benefit. Additionally, automation transformed the traditional drug discovery process by making it feasible to identify many targets through the biotechnology revolution and numerous combinatorial technologies, which fueled compound collection.
• Vendors present in the market ecosystem focus on organic & inorganic growth strategies to stay competitive in the market. For example, Agilent Technologies has developed Seahorse XF HS Mini Analyzer, the newest addition to the Seahorse XF platform that delivers the best in Seahorse XF data quality, workflow, and user experience. Cell metabolism is a major driver of cell fate, function, and fitness.
• Moreover, according to ClinalTrials.gov, the total number of registered clinical studies as of March 2022 was 409,300. Such increased focus on research and development is expected to drive the need for enhancing laboratory capabilities across the world.
• With the outbreak of COVID-19, the lab automation in bioanalysis market will witness a significant increase in demand due to the increasing requirement for testing, tracing, and tracking of the virus and the fact that the diagnostic lab needs many capabilities to test up to thousands of samples per day is driving the lab automation in the market studied.

Key Market Trends

Hematology Analyzers Segment to Grow at a Significant Rate

• An automated analyzer, with minimal human assistance, measures various chemicals and other characteristics in several biological samples, both efficiently and quickly. The use of automated analyzers is more convenient, as compared to the manual analysis of chemical reactions. It uses control systems and different programs to analyze chemical reactions. Furthermore, it saves time due to the automation technique.
• Hematology analyzers include multiple analytical modules with unique sample preparation processes. They are used in the diagnosis of various diseases, such as infections, anemia, viruses, diabetes, genetic problems, and cancer. Moreover, they regulate the plasma drug level for both therapeutic and illicit drugs.
• Many of the market vendors are strategically investing in research and development and are introducing new products in the market. For instance, in March 2022, Mindray launched BC-700 Series, a hematology analyzer series that incorporates both the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tests and Complete Blood Count (CBC). In addition, the series includes two autoloader models, such as the BC-760/BC-780, and two open vial models, such as the BC-700/BC-720, that are designed to empower medium-volume laboratories with advanced technologies.
• Similarly, in April 2022, Sysmex Europe launched the Flow Cytrometer XF-1600 with CE marking (indicating compliance with European IVD Regulation and IVD use). The product is a 10-color analyzer designed for highly efficient and reliable data collection in immunophenotyping. Thus, the launch of new products is driving more sales opportunities for the vendor.
• Further, the automated hematology analyzer helps diagnose malaria by conducting qualitative analyses of formed elements in whole blood. The analysis is based on counting DNA-containing, malaria-infected red blood cells that have malaria parasites. In July 2020, despite the impact of COVID-19, Sysmex received marketing approval in Japan for its Automated Hematology Analyzer XN-31, making it available for the in-vitro diagnosis of malaria in the country.

North America to Hold Largest Market Share

• A rise in the number of clinical and pre-clinical studies in the region has made the need for speedy analysis of samples imperative, making automation one of the key components contributing to the growth of the market. For instance, as per the World Health Organization, the United States had the highest total number of trials registered during 1999-2021 (157,618), followed by China and Japan.
• Strict regulations by the US government and the FDA, the growing demand in the diagnostic market, and the increasing usage of discovery and research labs, owing to the rising presence of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and neurological diseases in the region, have fueled the growth of the market. The US dominates the North American market and is the major revenue contributor in the region.
• The United States has been a pioneer in clinical research for years. This country is home to some of the major pharmaceutical companies, like Pfizer, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, J&J, and Novartis. The country also has the highest concentration of contract research organizations (CROs). Some of the major CROs in the country are Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, IQVIA, Syneos Health, and Parexel International Corp.
• Further, many major vendors continue to invest in expanding their footprint across the region, which is aiding the market growth. For instance, in September 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced plans to invest USD 154 million and create 290 additional jobs with an expansion of its Pitt County, NC operations.
• Product innovation also continues to rise in the region. For instance, in October 2021, Sysmex America introduced the XN-30 Research Use Only (RUO) Automated Hematology Analyzer, the first automated hematology analyzer for malaria detection.

Competitive Landscape

The lab automation in bioanalysis market is consolidated. Major players have the maximum market share. Also, the players in the lab automation in bioanalysis market are increasingly competing against each other based on factors such as product innovations and technological advances.

• May 2022 - Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Automated Indiko Clinical Chemistry analyzer, which produces results quickly with sample-oriented testing. It can operate with low sample volumes and uses small amounts of water which enables running the laboratory more cost-efficiently.
• February 2021 - Beckman Coulter announced the launch of the DxH 560 AL, a tabletop hematology analyzer designed to reduce the time and resource constraints faced by small- to mid-sized laboratories. With its auto-loading functionality, closed tube aspiration, and walk away capabilities, users can continually add up to 50 samples, provide safety against blood-borne pathogens and spend less time on manual instrument tasks.

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