Summary of our market study

The global market for medical biology laboratories has been experiencing significant growth, which was further accelerated by the health crisis in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Spain, this market saw an increase of 33% in 2021, with the market size estimated at 4.8 billion euros. The pandemic resulted in an unprecedented demand for COVID tests, contributing to a substantial portion of sales for many laboratories, such as Unilabs reporting 40% of sales from COVID tests in 2020. The market in Spain, however, remains highly fragmented with the top two companies accounting for just 8.6% of the market share. COVID-19 tests were found to be expensive in Spain, with PCRs costing between 75 and 150 euros without a prescription. Despite this upsurge, the market is expected to return to slightly above pre-crisis levels in 2022. The demand for medical laboratory services is driven by the need for routine care, with clinical biochemistry and hematology comprising 93% of total analyses. Environmental management and digital transformation, including automation and Big Data, are current trends shaping the future of medical biology laboratories

Analyzing the Demand for Medical Laboratory Services in Spain

The demand for medical biology laboratories in Spain paints a picture of a steadfast industry where demand trends have exhibited stability with a modest upward tick. Over a period stretching, the number of analyses conducted per year displayed an increase of approximately 1%. An average of between 10 and 15 analyses accompanied each request, indicating a consistent need and application for laboratory services across the country. Most sought-after services within the sector emerged to be clinical biochemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology and parasitology. Combined, these specializations covered an overwhelming majority of the analyses, indicating both the health needs of the Spanish population and the areas of focus for medical labs. The geographical distribution of service requests varied, with specialized outpatient care and primary care forming the lion's share, indicating that the majority of laboratory referrals are rooted in routine healthcare and emergency services. While the health crisis of the early 2020s caused a substantial surge in demand for certain tests—specifically, those related to COVID-19—Spain's laboratories managed to quickly respond, with COVID tests comprising a notable percentage of sales for leading companies in the marketplace.

This unexpected boom in test demand illustrated the sector's resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. Environmental management and waste protocols also indicated a strong trend towards sustainable practices, showcasing an industry that is not only focused on human health but also on environmental stewardship. This reflects a broader, global trend where consumers and businesses alike are more aware of and concerned with their environmental impact. The interest in medical laboratory services, as reflected by online searches, however, presented a complex picture. Regions like Murcia, Aragón, and Castilla la Mancha led in terms of Google search volume, a metric that contradicts the physical presence of laboratories, underscoring a potential gap between laboratory accessibility and demand. Moreover, the digital transformation with the incorporation of technologies like Big data and automation is shaping the future of the industry. Approximately 90% of labs have adopted environmental programs, and almost total adherence to waste management protocols reflects this trend. In conclusion, the Spanish medical laboratory market is marked by stable demand with specialized services at the core. The adaptability shown during the health crisis and the progressive stride towards sustainable practices and digitalization augur well for the future of the industry. The market remains pivotal as it adapts to the scientific advancements and societal changes, maintaining its crucial role in public health.

Profiling the Major Contenders in Spain's Medical Biology Laboratories Scene

As we delve into the landscape of medical biology laboratories in Spain, several names emerge as the pillars of the industry, each bringing its unique strengths and strategic operations to the forefront. These laboratories have not only been instrumental in addressing routine medical needs but have also played a crucial role in responding to the heightened demand for diagnostic testing during health crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Eurofins Megalab - A Foremost Leader in Diagnostic Solutions With a workforce that ranges between 5,000 to 10,000 employees, Eurofins Megalab stands tall as one of the leading entities in the sector. Known for its comprehensive suite of diagnostic services and an established network that ensures accessibility and reach, Megalab has been a crucial player, especially noted for its rapid response during the pandemic by providing a significant number of Covid-19 tests.
  • Synlab - A Global Giant with Local Impact Synlab, a group employing over 10,000 individuals, is another behemoth with an indelible mark on the Spanish medical landscape. Its extensive array of services, which extend beyond the borders of Spain, have not only provided invaluable medical insights but also positioned Synlab as a critical stakeholder in public health initiatives.
  • Unilabs - Specialized Services Meeting Diverse Needs The Madrid subsidiary of Unilabs, with its cohort of 1,000 to 5,000 employees, emphasizes specialized analyses and has shone particularly in the backdrop of the global health crisis by attributing a significant portion of sales to Covid-19 related tests. Their tailored approach in diagnostic services has undoubtedly affirmed their reputation and indispensability in the market.
  • Laboratorios Echevarn - A Stalwart with a Historic Legacy Laboratorios Echevarne, with around 800 employees, exemplifies a blend of tradition and modernity. With decades of experience under their belt, Echevarne has continually evolved, providing a range of diagnostic services that align with current technological and medical advancements while retaining the trust accrued over generations.
  • Ribera Salud (Cialab) and Cerba International are also notable mentions, each bringing their unique flavor to the mix. Ribera Salud's strong foothold, courtesy of its 900 employees, is paralleled by Cerba's 100-employee strong operations, which, while comparatively smaller in scale, punch above their weight in service provision. 
Get all the information you need
to understand this market

Detailed content of our market study

Inforamtion

  • Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update :
Update Details

Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

Medical biology laboratories are places where medical analyses and monitoring are carried out on the basis of fluid samples. These diagnoses are essential for treatment and medical decision-making, as well as for the prevention of various diseases.

Worldwide, the market for medical biology laboratories is growing steadily. Per capita healthcare expenditure is rising all over the world, particularly in Asia, where economic growth has led to the development of local laboratories. In Europe, healthcare expenditure per GDP is highest in France (11.3%), Germany (11.25%) and Sweden (10.3%).

In Spain, the medical biology laboratory market is growing strongly. Private laboratories are gaining ground, while in-house laboratories are losing ground. Outsourcing and external growth strategies have driven the market in recent years. The market is set to grow by 33% in 2021, and the multiplication of coronavirus diagnostic tests from the second half of 2020 has multiplied revenues in the sector. The market remains extremely fragmented, with the top two laboratories holding just 8.6% of the market, but concentration is gradually taking hold.

1.2 Healthcare expenditure in the European Union.

Europe presents a rather broad panorama of medical biology laboratories. There are many differences between countries. These differences are reflected in the healthcare systems and the divergences in healthcare expenditure by European country.

An article in EM consulte provides a typology of healthcare systems in Europe:

The Bismarckian wage-based system; The ...

1.3 The Spanish medical laboratories market

Spanish market size:

In ****, the market size of medical laboratories in Spain is estimated at *.* billion euros, representing an increase of **% between **** and ****. In ****, it is forecast to return to a slightly higher pre-crisis level (***). [***]

The market was particularly buoyed by the health crisis and the explosion in the number of ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Strong demand

Demand trends:

In ****, *** million analyses were delivered, for ** million requests for analyses in Spain.

Number of analyses per year Spain, ****-****, in millions Source: ****

The number of analyses is very stable over the ****-**** period, increasing by *% over the whole period. On average, there are ** analyses per request in Spain.

Most ...

2.2 Web analysis of demand

Geographical distribution of searches :

The Google Trends index is used to evaluate the intensity and interest of a Google search. We have studied the results of the search "Laboratorio clínico" in Spain.

We can see that the regions with the highest number of searches are Murcia, Aragón and Castilla ...

2.3 Laboratories in high demand in 2020 due to the health crisis

Comparisons of Covid test use by country :

Total number of covid tests per million inhabitants in the countries most affected by the health crisis World, ****, in millions of tests Source: ****

We can see that Spaniards are major Covid test users, with Spain ranking second in terms of Covid tests per capita, ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Geographical distribution and number of laboratories in Spain

Geographical distribution of medical laboratories in Spain :

Medical laboratories are unevenly distributed across Spain. The Madrid region, Catalonia and Valencia share the majority of laboratories, followed by Seville and Malaga. Some regions are deserts in terms of medical analysis laboratories.

The ** regions with the most biological laboratories Spain, ****, by number Source: ...

3.2 The main laboratories

Laboratories of various sizes:

Number of centers per laboratory Spain, ****, as % of total Source: ****

**% of laboratories have just one center. Only *% of laboratories have four or more centers. This means that the market is made up of multiple players of limited size , and that large groups do not represent the ...

3.3 Salary structure

The different employees of a medical biology laboratory:

The different types of contract Spain, ****, in Source: ****

the majority of employees' contracts are permanent and temporary.

Breakdown of employees by type of qualification Spain, ****, in Source: SEQC The workforce in medical biology laboratories is mainly made up of pharmacists and doctors (***). They ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Breakdown of medical biology expenditure by pathology: a range of diagnostics

Points de repère - issue ** (***) presents medical biology expenditure by pathology.

Breakdown of medical biology expenditure by pathology France, ****, in * or analgesic or anti-inflammatory treatment ** : with or without pathologies, treatments or maternity *** : chronic respiratory diseases (***). Source: ****

Nearly **% of laboratory expenditure is fairly generalist and not linked to a specific pathology. ...

4.2 The different specializations

how many specializations are offered by each laboratory?

Number of specializations per laboratory Spain, ****, as % of total Source: ****

The majority of laboratories (***) offer between * and * specializations. Only *% have * or more, and **% specialize in just one type of analysis.

Services offered :

Laboratory size Clinical biochemistry Hematology Immunology Microbiology and Parasitology Genetics Pharmacology Andrology ...

4.3 Price list

In Spain as a whole, the price of healthcare services and products has risen slightly in recent years, with an increase of *.*% over * years between **** and ****. Below is the consumer price index for the healthcare sector:

Healthcare consumer price index Source: ****

For information, the price of an STD test is around ...

4.4 Current and future trends

Automation:

Spanish medical laboratories have worked hard to integrate digital technologies and automation into their business models. Today, many centers are equipped with these new technologies.

Integrating digitization and automation into operations has many advantages, such as increasing productivity and becoming more competitive. What's more, adopting new digital technologies and automating ...

5 Regulations

5.1 Spanish and European regulations

Regulations :

Clinical laboratories are subject to specific regulations, and the fundamental rules are set at European level. In ****, the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (***) ****/*** was published.

As far as Spain is concerned, Law **/****, of May **, on the cohesion and quality of the national health system (***) is the reference standard governing clinical laboratories ...

5.2 Autonomous community regulations

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Player segmentation

  • Synlab Groupe
  • Eurofins Groupe
  • Cerba Healthcare
  • Laboratorios Echevarne
  • Unilabs (Madrid)
  • Salud Savia
  • Ribera Lab

List of charts presented in this market study

  • Health Expenditure of EU Countries
  • Average amount spent per capita per country per year
  • Market size in the clinical analysis sector
  • Breakdown of private and public analysis laboratories
  • The 10 regions with the most biological laboratories
Show more Hide

All our studies are available online in PDF format

Take a look at an example of our research on another market!

Do you have a question about this study?   +44 238 097 0676

Latest news

Eurofins, the testing champion - 20/07/2023
  • In 1987, Gilles Martin founded Eurofins, based in Nantes.
  • In 1996, Eurofins establishes a presence in the United States.
  • In 2011, the U.S. entity reported sales of $100 million and employed around 1,000 people.
  • Eurofins has made over 400 acquisitions since its IPO in 1997
  • The company carries out 200,000 different tests and analyzes 450 million samples every year
  • Eurofins' sales and earnings reached €6.7 billion and €610 million respectively in 2020
  • Eurofins joined the CAC 40 in September 2021, with a market capitalization of €11.9 billion
  • Eurofins' main markets are Europe and North America, which account for 85% of its sales.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Synlab Groupe
Eurofins Groupe
Cerba Healthcare
Laboratorios Echevarne
Unilabs (Madrid)
Salud Savia
Ribera Lab

Choosing this study means :

Access to more than 35 hours of work

Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.

Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced

Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.

Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.

Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data

Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).

To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)

Guaranteed support after your purchase

A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676

A digital format designed for our users

Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.

Our offers :

the medical biology laboratory market | Spain

99 €
  • What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
  • What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
  • What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
  • Data from several dozen databases

5 reports pack (-15%) ES Spain

75.6 € / study
378 € instead of 445 € -15%
  • 5 reports at €75.6 excluding VAT per study to choose from our Spanish catalogue for 12 months
  • Save 15% on additional studies purchased
  • Choose to be refunded any unused credit at the end of the 12-month period (duration of the pack)

See the terms and conditions of the pack and the refund of unused credit.

Updates

Our customer references

They have consulted our studies Discover the opinions (+500)

Malcolm Vincent
Linkedin logo

Malcolm Vincent

Astoria Finance

Gregoire de Castelnau
Linkedin logo

Gregoire de Castelnau

Stags Participations

Timothé Huignard
Linkedin logo

Timothé Huignard

PWC

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
Linkedin logo

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

BCG

Aymeric Granet
Linkedin logo

Aymeric Granet

Publicis Consultant

interviews & case studies All interviews and case studies (45)

La pépite Interview

BFM Business

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

Boston Consulting Group

Marie Guibart

Kea Partners

Elaine, Durand

Crédit Agricole, Information & Veille

Philippe Dilasser

Initiative & Finance

Anne Baudry

Metro

Amaury Wernert

Kroll (Duff & Phelps)

Smart Leaders Interview

B-Smart

Do you have a question ?
Our team is at your disposal at   +44 238 097 0676