Diagnostics Lab Automation and Monitoring Solutions Growth Opportunities

The Intersection of Automation and Digital Data Exchange Unlocks Value for Diagnostics Labs

The pathology workforce shortage, accuracy concerns, and uneven distribution of prices and resources are persistent challenges for the diagnostics sector.

Lab test results are the foundation of future human health, influencing 70% of clinical decisions. A surge in lab tests' yearly volume will result from persistent trends, including aging populations, growing non-communicable diseases, early-onset cancers, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

In consequence, advancements in digital technology are steadily expanding the availability of lab diagnostic tools beyond traditional medical settings. The popularity of omnichannel experiences across various consumer digital touchpoints and the rise of mobile apps, online aggregator platforms, and self-care trends (for instance, preventive checks) are boosting the year-over-year (YoY) number of digital users of pathology labs. Certain technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, are shaping the high-end specialized test spectrum, including oncology, prenatal, and infectious disease diagnostics.

In this context, a robust business expansion strategy that drives growth while also improving resilience and sustainability is critical for pathology labs looking to expand their business to new markets. Many labs have partnered with in vitro diagnostics vendors to increase access, optimize network organization, and recover lab productivity. These efforts improve test results' delivery and generate better-oriented test menus that persist throughout economic cycles.

Furthermore, the strategic use of digitization and automation is vital for labs to pivot and grow with changing consumer expectations-improved convenience, affordable pricing, and quicker turnaround times. However, incremental upgrades to legacy equipment and workflows may affect digital transformation maturity. Robotic automation and proactive lab monitoring capable of performing intelligent operations are also entering the sector. With a projected 9.1% CAGR, the lab automation and monitoring solutions industry is a significant inflection point in the diagnostics industry.