There are about 1.8 million people worldwide living with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is the sixth most common form of cancer in Europe. The disease is complicated in nature with about 25-30 sub types. Its incidence in Europe varies from 4 to 14 for every 100,000 people. In the European Union alone approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The risk of developing the disease increases with age, especially among the 55-85 year group. The incidence rate peaks between the ages of 75 and 85 years. With rising life expectancy levels across Europe, the demand for NHL drugs is set to grow.

Clinical trials stage account for more than 50 per cent of the total cost for developing a new drug. The high profile drug withdrawal of Vioxx has brought around a greater regulatory scrutiny on the way clinical trials are conducted. It has been estimated that an average number of patients per clinical trial has increased from 1,700 during the 1980s to around 4,000 people in the current decade. Not only is the number of patients increasing but also is the number of studies required.

Within the past 25 years, research in the pharmaceutical industry has tripled, with the pipelines of the top companies doubling. Stricter regulations, guidelines, price and reimbursement legislation has all resulted in a changing business environment. While pharmaceutical and biotech R&D spending is surpassing $36 billion today and blockbuster drug development levelling off, Contract Research Organisations (CROs) are moving in the direction of becoming either niche specific or large service providers.

The total European IVD market is valued at $6.97 billion US and the market is expected to have a slow growth, which is attributed to the increase in the adoption of new technologies in the market. There has been an increased awareness about emerging technologies, especially, in areas such as molecular testing amongst patients and laboratories.