Some Recent Developments
· COVID-19 is playing a greater role in boosting the growth rate in anatomic pathology market. As the contagion is spreading around the world, countries are pushing the testing and diagnostics rate in their country, leading to large demand for anatomic pathology market all over.
Although, it also brings some challenges, overall it is keeping the growth rate of demands high in the market.
· In July 2019, Japan headquartered PHC Holdings Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Anatomical Pathology business of Thermo Fisher Scientific for approximately US$1.14 billion. The acquired Anatomical Pathology business will operate as a new stand-alone company named Epredia that will continue to serve as a leading global provider of comprehensive solutions in the anatomical pathology field, including microscope slides, instruments and consumables. This acquisition will help PHCHD strengthen its diagnostics business by expanding its portfolio into oncology to support further business growth.
· In April 2019, Roche announced the launch of the new VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail assay for the detection of the HER2 biomarker in breast and gastric cancer. HER2 — human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 — is an important biomarker found in breast and gastric cancers. Its detection and inhibition can help to more effectively manage these aggressive cancers. This assay is made to be completed within a day’s time, helping it provide results quicker than most of the detection techniques of HER2. Results can be read using light microscopy, eliminating the need for a specialized fluorescence microscope.
· In July 2019, Agilent technologies announced that it concluded the acquisition of BioTek, leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative life science instrumentation. BioTek’s product portfolio consists of cell imaging systems, microplate readers, washers, dispensers, automated incubators and stackers. This acquisition will not only help with commercial pathology but will also serve a right purpose in research too, opening up several avenues for development and growth.
· Digital Pathology is proving to be a big enabler for anatomic pathology, helping it grow its market value all over the world. For example, in January 2019, Roche announced the launch of its innovative uPath enterprise software for digital pathology. Offering a new standard of personalization for pathology workflows, the uPath enterprise software improves on the previous version, known as VENTANA Virtuoso. uPath software enhances the user experience by drastically decreasing image rendering times, integrating automated image analysis and improving efficiency by enabling an improved workflow for sharing cases between pathologists. These developments in the digital pathology are bound to boost the market growth rate of anatomic pathology, all over.
· In March 2020, Sakura Finetek USA launched 4 new ready-to-use antibodies for the Tissue-Tek Genie Advanced Staining System, including a PIN antibody cocktail. The launch of four new markers including a PIN antibody cocktail for prostate pathology expands the clinical utility and value of the Genie Advanced Staining System. The PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) antibody cocktail of AMACR + p63 + High Molecular Weight Cytokeratins enable the simultaneous evaluation of prostate biopsies and the identification of cancerous foci on a single specimen section, using a two-chromogen staining protocol. It is useful for distinguishing benign and malignant proliferations in the prostate. This is an important and widely used biomarker and a valuable addition to company’s portfolio.
· In September 2018, Quest Diagnostics has acquired PhenoPath, a Seattle-based specialized anatomic pathology provider, with an eye on its services, including molecular oncology. PhenoPath has a strong record of innovation, and provides several capabilities that complement and extend Quest Diagnostic’s own. It also deepens their presence in the Pacific Northwest, leading to greater reach and better revenue generation for them.
