Diagnostics Industry Anticipates Challenging Year Ahead

The diagnostics sector is bracing itself for a tough year as market dynamics shift. The Association of Diagnostic Industry (VDGH) reported during its annual press conference that while the industry has maintained a stable revenue level, economic growth has been sluggish over the past year. According to a recent industry survey, 2025 is expected to present significant challenges for the diagnostics sector.

In light of these difficulties, VDGH Chairman Ulrich Schmid has called for decisive political actions to bolster Germany's position and enhance the competitiveness of the medical technology industry. He urged the new federal government to recognize medical technology as a leading industry and to actively promote its potential. Additionally, he emphasized the ongoing issue of workforce shortages, stressing the urgent need for qualified professionals in the sector.

Investment in research and development has shown notable restraint, reflecting the cautious outlook within the industry. The German market for in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) recorded a revenue of EUR2.37 billion in 2024, marking a modest growth of 0.6% compared to the previous year. In contrast, the life sciences research market saw revenues of EUR3.07 billion, a decrease of 0.3% from the prior year.

Schmid noted that while markets are stabilizing above pre-pandemic levels, there is a lack of growth stimuli in both sectors. He expressed anticipation regarding the implementation of the coalition agreement, highlighting that trade disputes can only result in adverse outcomes, and advocating for a unified European response to U.S. trade policies.

The industry's sentiment is increasingly cautious: only about one-third of companies view their current situation as good or very good, a decline of four points from last year. Although 53% of firms expect their revenue to increase, growth expectations are diminishing. A significant reduction is evident in research investment intentions, with the proportion of companies planning to increase R&D spending nearly halved. Schmid pointed out that rising costs associated with product approval, coupled with restrictive market conditions, are hindering the innovative capabilities of IVD companies.

When comparing the domestic market to international opportunities, the outlook is stark, with nine out of ten companies anticipating better market conditions abroad.