Central Lab Market Size, Share, and Analysis By Services (Clinical Trial Services, Genetic Services, Pathology Services, Biomarker Analysis, Bioanalytical Services, Biorepository Services, and Others), By End Users (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Academic & Research Institutes, Clinical Laboratories, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The growing demand for new drugs and vaccines across the world due to the emergence of new disease conditions has increased the rate of clinical studies conducted in countries such as the U.S., the U.K., and China. This has led to the adoption of central laboratories for clinical trials and other laboratory assessments.

The major players in the market are willing to outsource central labs to reduce their drug development and manufacturing costs. Also, the increasing number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and the limited presence of local laboratories is driving the need and demand for central laboratories.

The demand for central labs is rising due to various benefits such as reduced time to deliver the results, providing the latest technological solutions, and patient-friendly and faster results. The central laboratory services include pathology services, bioanalytical services, clinical trials to develop new drugs or vaccines, and genetic testing for various diseases such as cancer, and sickle cell disease.

• For example, Lotus Labs Pvt. Ltd., has developed and validated over 450 bioanalytical methods for major pharmaceutical companies in India and other countries.

Also, the availability of A.I. integrated systems, the presence of skilled professionals and their expertise in handling huge amounts of samples, management of samples, sample storing and tracking are major factors responsible for choosing central labs by pharmaceutical & biotech companies. Recently, major companies have shifted their focus toward home collection services, further driving the market growth.

However, the demand for central laboratories is increasing, and the lack of training for healthcare professionals is restricting the market growth. Also, the various accreditations required for the laboratory to function College of American Pathologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and also should meet the requirements of the ministries of health in the different countries, further limiting the market growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Central Labs Market

The Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging for the major players in the market as they faced difficulties in transporting the samples to different countries due to the various government guidelines and imposed lockdown. This has resulted in close monitoring of these lab testing processes by stakeholders during the pandemic to provide various alternative options for transporting the samples from one location to another, increasing the overall cost associated.

Apart from this, the pandemic has offered various opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to expand their pipeline portfolio for Covid-19 vaccine preparation. Various pharmaceutical companies collaborated with central laboratories to manufacture and develop Covid-19 vaccines.

• For example, in October 2021, ACM Global Laboratories involved in a clinical study to develop an inactivated, adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine by Valneva SE in Europe.

This along with many central labs have started providing PCR test kits and other Covid-19-related diagnostic tests. Also, home-based services have increased during the pandemic to avoid the spread of the virus.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Technological Advancements in the Central Lab Market


• New Product Launches, By Key Players


• Key Industry Developments- Mergers, Partnerships, & Acquisitions


• Impact of Covid-19 on the Market

Analysis by Services

Based on services, the market is segmented into clinical trial services, genetic services, pathology services, biomarker analysis, bioanalytical services, biorepository services, and others. The central labs are mostly preferred to conduct clinical research and trials as they are time-consuming and costly. Pharmaceutical companies usually don't have the infrastructure and expertise to conduct clinical studies independently. This has resulted in outsourcing the central labs to conduct various clinical studies to develop and commercialize a new drug or vaccine. Also, the advanced technology offered and results delivered in time with zero errors is resulting in companies selecting central labs for various clinical trial services.

• In October 2022, ICON plc is selected by U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to conduct an anthrax vaccine clinical trial. In the past five years, ICON plc has participated in more than 160 vaccine studies.

Regional Analysis

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North America has dominated the central lab market due to the ongoing technological advancements, advanced healthcare infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada, and the increasing number of pharmaceutical companies. Also, the presence of various regulatory bodies and fast approvals of new drugs in the market is further responsible for the market's growth in this region.

Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow at a faster pace during the forecast period. This is due to the growing popularity of clinical studies conducted in countries such as China and the increasing number of central laboratories in these countries. Also, the low costs of the clinical trial workforce in the Asia Pacific region as compared with other regions is further responsible for the market growth in this region.

• For example, according to the data published by N.S. Healthcare in 2022, the costs associated with central lab testing can be 25.0% to 35.0% lower in China and other Asia Pacific countries as compared with the U.S., and some European Countries.

Key Players Covered

The report will include the profiles of key players such as Eurofins Scientific, ACM Global Laboratories, LabConnect, Labcorp Drug Development, Q2 Solutions, Medpace, ICON plc, Frontage Labs, MLM Medical Labs, Cerba Research, and others.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In October 2022, Labcorp Drug Development announced the expansion of its automated clinical trial kit production line in Belgium. This enables the sponsors and investigators to receive specimen collection kits from Labcorp Central Laboratory Services.


• In February 2022, Cerba Research acquired Viroclinics-DDL, a specialist virology and immunology contract research organization to expand diagnostic solutions for clinical trials.


• In February 2022, MLM Medical Labs and TruLab, Inc., partnered to offer blockchain-powered sample tracking to enable biotechnology companies to track their samples' location and support clinical trials worldwide.


• In May 2021, LabConnect and Cryoport, Inc., partnered to provide support for innovative triumvira cell and gene therapy phase I/II clinical trial which is sponsored by Triumvira Immunologics Inc.


• In May 2020, Frontage Labs developed a 3-in-1 multiplex P.K. assay to evaluate chloroquine, azithromycin, and hydroxy-chloroquine in human plasma to support COVID-19 clinical trials.


• In June 2018, ACM Global Laboratories developed Smarter Testing for Oncology to deliver a unique service for cancer research clients. Smarter Testing offers more accurate results, and access to scientific experts.