Immunochemicals Find Increased Applications

Business Wire, March 18, 2008

LONDON -- Increasing demand from a range of areas including healthcare, agriculture and counter bio-terrorism are set to drive the global immunochemicals market.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharmaceuticals.frost.com), Global Immunochemicals Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of USD 1.50 billion in 2007 and estimates this to reach USD 2.60 billion in 2014.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the Global Immunochemicals Markets, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at pcairns_pr@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

"The mounting demand for cancer research has been a crucial driving factor for the immunochemicals market globally," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Sylvia Miriam Findlay. "Research antibodies have been used as tools in various applications, including signalling pathways, measuring the modifications or expression levels of cancer-related proteins, identifying candidate biomarkers, profiling proteins and measuring enzyme activity."

In other areas, research on improving food production, enhancing food quality and nutrition and producing pharmaceutical and industrial products through genetically engineered plants has received signficant attention. Bio-terrorism has also motivated the search for effective tools to detect dangerous toxins. Antibody assays for cholera toxin, diphtheria toxin and anthrax are being developed for use in a law enforcement setting.

However, the market is unlikely to be very lucrative, particularly for new entrants, since it is anticipated to be stagnant over the long-term. This is primarily because two-thirds of the currently available antibodies will be overhauled over the next five to seven years. Moreover, there will be constant changes in antibody targets due to ongoing proteome research.

"Promisingly, however, proteome research and the genome project will create growth opportunties with the discovery of newer proteins motivating manufacturers to augment their store of novel antibodies," explains Findlay. "Custom antibodies are gaining importance due to proteomics research."

In spite of being highly fragmented, with over 300 active companies, the immunochemicals market is dynamic and evolving. The future is likely to witness signficant restructuring with a spate of consolidations among market participants.

Fierce rivalries have led to competitive pricing and low revenue generation. Market shares are being diluted leaving the market landscape more open to mergers. Frost & Sullivan anticipates that publicly held companies will redefine laws by acquiring private companies.

The profusion of antibodies available is another challenge the market needs to address. Researchers are unable to browse through the enormous number of companies and their offerings to acquire their desired antibodies. The large selection of antibodies available makes it difficult for researchers to review and identify the most suitable antibody for their use.

"There is a no common catalogue listing suppliers and the antibodies they offer," adds Findlay. "The process of forming a common catalogue is highly complicated as it requires the integration of data of thousands of antibodies from hundreds of suppliers."

The introduction of a common catalogue providing details about various companies, products, offers, prices and contacts would be ideal in widening the customer base. This strategy would facilitate the use of research antibodies and boost market revenues.

Global Immunochemicals Markets is part of the Pharmaceutical and Clinical Diagnostics Growth Partnership Service Programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Biosimilars Market and European Head and Neck Cancer Market. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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Global Immunochemicals Markets

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