Frost & Sullivan: Predictive Testing to Emerge as a Key Growth Area in European Genetic Testing and Screening Services Market

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• Publié par: frost-sullivan
• Nombre de lectures: 10
• Langue: English

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Frost & Sullivan: Predictive Testing to Emerge as a Key Growth Area in European Genetic Testing and Screening Services Market

PR Newswire LONDON, July 18, 2012

- Despite growing demand, varied reimbursement and regulatory policies could impede market momentum LONDON, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The European genetic testing and screening services market is poised to be driven by the increasing availability of tests covering a wider range of disease areas, paralleled by a rapidly expanding pool of potential consumers. Testing for genetic diseases has swiftly moved from the laboratory into medical practice. In this process, issues related to quality have not received adequate attention. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.drugdiscovery.frost.com), European Genetic Testing and Screening Services Market, finds that the market earned revenues of$896.2 millionin 2011 and estimates this to reach $1,908.8 millionin 2018. The research covers diagnostic testing/screening, relationship testing and predictive testing. Heightened awareness, primarily due to widespread genetic counselling groups and the availability of direct-to- consumer (DTC) tests will boost market prospects. "Demand for genetic testing will receive further impetus when accompanied by consultation, counselling physician's advice and proper reimbursement," noted Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Divyaa Ravishankar. "There is a rising interest in predictive testing, which is seen as the highest growth area within genetic testing." Genetic testing and screening are the next big focus in molecular diagnostics. The molecular diagnostics market inWestern Europeis worth$1,352.4 million, and genetic testing contributed almost 66 per cent of its revenue in 2011. The cost of sequencing a genome is reducing, with new, efficient next- generation sequencing platforms. This will create fierce competition for faster turn-around times and will have a positive impact on the genetic testing and screening market. Varying reimbursement procedures acrossEurope, however, loom as a major concern to market participants. When samples are being shipped across international boundaries, inadequate reimbursement can result in uneven access to genetic testing services. "There are potential gaps that exist in the regulatory and normative framework which need to be addressed," cautioned Ravishankar. "Currently, there is no legal requirement on quality assurance, specifically for diagnostic laboratories in different member states of the EU." Obtaining accreditation and certification is entirely voluntary. Only a few European labs have obtained them. Moreover, the definitions of 'accreditation' and 'certification' are still not universally accepted in EU member states. "Defining a framework for reimbursement related to cross-border exchange of samples for genetic testing and data is critical," advised Ravishankar. "Proper rules should be framed for reimbursement when samples are tested in other