The medical biology laboratory market in Italy

Medical biology laboratories (LBMs), formerly known as medical analysis laboratories (MLAs), are places whose function is to perform medical diagnosis and monitoring based on samples of various human biological fluids. They are run by biologists.

The market for medical biology laboratories can be segmented according to the presence or absence of certification, inspection, testing and accreditation of the laboratories themselves.

In 2024 the world market for clinical testing laboratories is estimated at 277.$96 billion. Moderate growth in the industry is expected in the near future. For the period 2024-2029 a compound annual growth rate is estimated (CAGR) of 6.49 percent, under which the market could reach a total value of more than 380 billion dollars.

In Italy there are about 37,870 people working within the nearly 10,000 laboratories in the territory.

The difference between accredited and non-accredited laboratories also falls in turnover. The growth rate of turnover is much higher in accredited entities. In addition, accredited laboratories are considered much more efficient and with higher labor productivity.

it is important to consider the positive contribution that the medical biology laboratory industry makes to the development of the National Health Service. This industry has significant rates of investment in research and innovation, which are fundamental to the development of Italy's healthcare and economy.

The largest biomedical center can be found in Mirandola (Emilia Romagna). Northern Italy is in general the area where companies and turnover in this market are most concentrated. In Central Italy, most of the laboratories are concentrated in Lazio and Tuscany, while as far as Southern Italy is concerned we notice a smaller presence in general except for Campania, Puglia and Sicily.

This type of industry is extremely important at the healthcare level, and this was also demonstrated by the recent Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed all the flaws in the system and reiterated how necessary it is to invest in research and scientific innovation in order to increase the speed and accuracy of the medical tests that these laboratories perform.