A new report has revealed just how much of an impact biomarkers are expected to play in the area of medical research over the coming years. A paper drawn up by MarketResearch.com predicts that the global biomarker industry will be worth in the region of $26.5billion in just over four years time. This would represent growth in the size of the industry of 20.2 per cent since 2007.
The 230 page report, entitled Biomarkers: Discovery Techniques and Applications – A Global Market Overview, involved research from countries around the world including the Asia-Pacific region, the United States of America, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It looks closely at the technological discoveries relating to genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and molecular imaging technologies. In addition it contains research into the international market for biomarker therapeutic areas including oncology, neurology and cardiology amongst others.
According to the report, the use of proteins as biomarkers has been in the development stage for a while, and new developments over recent years have resulted in “a more targeted approach in proteomics and biomarker discovery”.
For many companies, advances in the understanding of biomarkers, thanks to dedicated studies, has led to them becoming an integral part of the research process. When it comes to the area of drug research and investigations, biomarkers are helping to save pharmaceutical companies time and money by highlighting unsuitable drugs as soon as possible. Their use allows firms to cut down on the amount of time they spend following up unsuitable leads which in turn can help to save considerable amounts of money.
Evidence that the biomarker industry is expected to grow by more than 20 per cent between 2007 and 2015 shows that more and more companies are putting their faith in biomarkers. Firms are realising the important role that biomarkers can play in helping to identify new drugs and their ability to act as early indicators of diseases such as mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. Research to find new biomarkers and help improve early diagnosis of a wide variety of conditions is now underway all over the world and this work can only help to increase understanding and ensure that biomarkers continue to play an increasingly important role in the field of medical research for many years to come.
The uses for biomarkers in the medical arena are increasing all the time and the report illustrates just how much value is being placed on biomarker research.