MARKET OVERVIEW

Point-of-care diagnostics is a field just beginning to hit its stride, according to many in the industry. Advances in microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip methodologies, miniaturization of testing methods and improvements in detection technologies are leading the way. From bedside to battlefield, point of- care diagnostics also represent one solution to helping solve a major healthcare challenge: how to do more with less.

Today, Point of care diagnostics represents 15% of the In-Vitro Diagnostics market and has shown tremendous growth over the last 3 years. This market share is expected to exceed 30% by 2014. Key driver for growth will be bringing fast, low cost testing to high volumes of users at the point of care—but only if developers of the technology focus on the right application with real benefit to specific purchasers, and bring together disparate technologies into integrated systems for simple, accurate and low cost tests.

Point-of-care diagnostics has yet to develop into the big market many expected. Testing for infectious diseases and applications in agriculture and environmental screening now look like the most promising markets, as companies develop more sophisticated integrated systems that go beyond simple immunoassays to complex sample preparation and molecular diagnostics at reasonable cost. A focus on wellness testing also is expected to enhance the field. But don’t expect point of care to surge overnight. Significant hurdles remain in the technology itself and its fusion into the healthcare system.

REPORTS HIGHLIGHTS