The medical biology laboratory market - Italy

The global market for medical laboratories is set to grow to around $303.1 billion by 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. Italy plays an important role in this sector, employing around 33,000 people and showing a clear preference for accredited laboratories, which boast higher rates of sales growth and efficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the critical importance of this industry, as laboratories such as Italy's Copan have seen their revenues increase dramatically (415 million euros in 2020) due to the explosion in demand for testing supplies such as flocked swabs. Demographic factors, in particular the ageing population and income levels, are significantly boosting demand for laboratory services in Italy. Geographically, there is a concentration of public laboratories in the northern regions, while private laboratories dominate the southern regions, with Campania leading the way in terms of total number of laboratories. The sector saw a sharp 8.8% increase in the number of laboratories in 2020, testifying to the market's responsiveness to health crises and its potential resilience to future challenges.

Demand dynamics in the Italian medical laboratories market

The Italian medical laboratory market has shown some intriguing trends in terms of demand, which can be attributed to both the demographics of the Italian population and household income levels. With around 60 million inhabitants, Italy is characterized by an older population, with around 23% aged 65 or over. This aging population drives demand considerably, as the elderly require more frequent medical tests and laboratory services. Income level is also a determining factor in the use of medical laboratory services. The average income of an Italian household is between 39,000 and 47,000 euros, depending on family size. Although private healthcare is expensive, a significant proportion of the population - around 24% - opts for private laboratory services. It should be noted, however, that this figure fell slightly by 2% in 2020, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, probably due to restrictions affecting access to private healthcare. A striking trend is the geographical distribution of demand: northern regions seem to have a greater number of public facilities, while the south shows a predominance of private laboratories. For example, regions such as Campania, Sicily and Lazio have seen a notable concentration of private laboratories, with over 80% private in some areas. In the context of demographic and economic factors, chronic diseases also influence the demand for laboratory tests. Pathologies such as cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer are prevalent among the older segments of the Italian population, further reinforcing the need for medical diagnostics. At national level, the figures illustrate a reduction in the total number of tests carried out, with a decrease of over 10%, representing between 800 and 900 million tests between 2019 and 2020. Lombardy, Veneto and Lazio are among the regions recording the highest number of tests, indicating that demand is stronger in these areas. Despite variations in demand, the Italian medical laboratory market is growing, with an increase in the number of laboratories and staff over the years. By 2020, the number of laboratories had increased by around 15% over an eight-year period, and staff numbers had risen in tandem to around 35,000, pointing to a strengthening sector ready to meet the healthcare needs of the population. In conclusion, the Italian medical laboratory market is influenced by the ageing population, income levels, geographical distribution and disease prevalence. Although demand for laboratory tests has fallen marginally recently, overall capacity and production capacity have remained stable

Italian players in the organic sector

When surveying the Italian medical biology laboratory landscape, it is essential to recognize the central role played by several important entities, each contributing to the development of the industry and the overall healthcare ecosystem. These key players range from large-scale operations with extensive regional presence to specialized service providers responding to niche demands.

• BioAnalysis SPA stands out as a notable leader, with an extensive presence in eight Italian regions. Operating an extensive network of 334 facilities, BioAnalysis SPA has positioned itself as a reference entity for a complete range of medical biology services, ensuring that healthcare providers have access to the diagnostic support necessary and essential for patient care.
• Secondly, AMES Centro Polidiagnostico Strumentale S.r.l has distinguished itself as a national leader in the fields of clinical biochemical analysis, occupational medicine and medical genetics. AMES demonstrates its specialization in providing accurate and sophisticated diagnostics, an essential aspect for modern medicine where precision is paramount for patient outcomes.
• Another influential entity is Cerba HealthCare. With its multi-faceted operations, Cerba HealthCare provides a wide range of services, from routine medical biology to specialized fields. Its presence in Italy is marked by its commitment to providing first-class medical biology services through a wide range of laboratories and sampling centers. They are recognized for their strong offering in medical genetics and clinical trial biology, making them an essential partner for the pharmaceutical industry and biotech innovations.

These market players are more than service providers; they are an integral part of a well-functioning healthcare system. Their advanced capabilities, broad coverage and specialized expertise enable them to meet the complex and constantly evolving diagnostic needs of the medical community. By continuing to stimulate research and embrace cutting-edge technologies, these laboratories are at the forefront of scientific innovation, offering the promise of better health outcomes and a stronger healthcare infrastructure in Italy and beyond.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 13/03/2024

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Allocation of Clinical Laboratories between Private and Public
• Trends in the Financing of the National Health System
• Health Expenditure of EU Countries
• Clinical testing laboratory market
• Breakdown of the population
• Evolution of median household income
• Average monthly health expenditure per household, by number of members
• Most prevalent diseases in Italy, by age group
• Number of clinical biological and chemical analyses, by year
• Active enterprises under Ateco Code 86.90.1 "Clinical analysis laboratories, radiographic laboratories and other diagnostic imaging centers"
• Employees in enterprises operating under Ateco Code 86.90.1 "Clinical analysis laboratories, radiographic laboratories and other diagnostic imaging centers"
• Legal form Active enterprises under Ateco Code 86.90.1 "Clinical analysis laboratories, radiographic laboratories and other diagnostic imaging centers"
• Evolution of Sector Employees
• Number of biomedical laboratory technicians, by sex and type of contract
• Breakdown of medical biology expenses by pathology