Markets

The market for molecular diagnostics promises strong growth in several major sectors.  As well as having multiple applications in the medical sector, molecular diagnostics are generating a lot of interest within food, veterinary & environmental testing as well as defence.

The market driver for molecular diagnostics is their superior performance over traditional methods.  Aside from providing greater accuracy and speed, molecular methods can provide more detailed information from samples, consequently the scope of applications is far greater than previous technologies.

Molecular diagnostics is having a major impact in the established pathogen detection, identification and monitoring markets, where they are becoming the method of choice.  They are also generating entirely novel markets.  For example, the detection of genetic markers associated with disease risk or the likelihood of adverse drug reactions, the detection and quantification of genetically modified crops and the confirmation of provenance of e.g., commodities and livestock.

A major obstacle to the exploitation of molecular diagnostics is the complicated and expensive methods and apparatus required to perform the tests.  This has proved a particular drawback in one of the most exciting emerging markets:  Point of Care/Use diagnostics, where results could be obtained without having to wait whilst samples are sent off to a laboratory. 

The key to unlocking the potential of the molecular diagnostics market is to simplify the methods such that tests are uncomplicated, robust and inexpensive enough that even non-specialist users can enjoy the multiple benefits these technologies bring.