Abstract
The 2nd edition of this two volume guide from Espicom provides an extensive
competitive comparison and evaluation of major and emerging companies, sets
the POC markets in context and provides market valuations as well as critical
appraisal of research & innovation.
The global point of care (POC) testing market is currently estimated to be
worth US$11.3 billion in 2007 and is growing at 11% a year. POC testing
accounts for approximately 34% of the US$33.6 billion global in-vitro
diagnostic (IVD) testing market. Diagnostic testing accounts for only between
1-2% of government healthcare expenditures worldwide, yet influences between
60-70% of healthcare decisions.
The changing face of the POC industry
Double digit growth expectancy for POC testing has spurred considerable
investment and interest from the industry. Although the POC sector is, in many
respects, relatively immature it is already characterised by a great deal of
M&A activity.
The most active acquirer at present is Inverness Medical Innovations which has
made multiple acquisitions in recent years, buying up leading companies such
as Biosite, Cholestech and Hemosense among others, and providing the company
with a significant presence in cardiology and other segments.
Unsurprisingly, the POC market has also seen moves by large multinationals
which previously had no presence in the IVD market. Siemens, for example, made
major acquisitions to establish its diagnostics division, with Diagnostics
Products Corporation and Bayer Diagnostics coming under the Siemens umbrella
in 2006 at a cost of US$5.7 billion. The company has also just completed the
acquisition of leading diagnostics company, Dade Behring, in a transaction
valued at approximately US$7 billion.
3M Health Care also established a new medical diagnostics business in March
2007 and has already entered alliances with Response Biomedical and Gen-Probe
in its aim to become a leader in screening for hospital and community-acquired
infectious diseases. Strategic alliances such as this are a key feature of
this rapidly evolving market, with many combining the innovations of smaller
companies with the strong established distribution channels of large
multinationals.
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