Das Netzwerk der führenden Life-Science-Research-Unternehmen in Deutschland ist einzigartig.
The LSR specialist department offers its members exclusive offers and services.
We highlight our expertise and know-how in one of the most innovative research topics of our…
Our key technologies are our flagship - whether automation or nucleic acids.
Whether in discussions with students or at the laboratory trade fair - our events focus on…
The locations of LSR member companies are spread all over Germany, including in your area.
Leading life science research companies are organized in the LSR division of the German Diagnostics Industry Association (VDGH). The VDGH thus covers the entire value chain in the laboratory sector, from basic research in the life sciences to routine diagnostics in medical laboratories. As an industry, we employ around 21,000 people in Germany and generated a turnover of 3.1 billion euros in 2023. LSR companies in the association are based in the European Economic Area and are generally active across Europe and globally.
LSR Board of Directors LSR market data LSR member companies
Sector with systemic relevance
We define ourselves as a dynamic industry with a high level of motivation and innovation and are one of the most research-intensive sectors - even ahead of the pharmaceutical industry. Products from the LSR industry can be found in laboratories all over the world. Countless reagents, consumables and devices are used for biological, environmental, nutritional, pharmaceutical and chemical analysis. The industry catalyzes basic scientific research with its technology platforms. In turn, many new products are the result of collaboration with academia. The LSR industry supports the further development of these until they are ready for the market. As a supplier, the LSR industry supports research and development as well as production in the fields of biotechnology, in-vitro diagnostics, analytical, bio and laboratory technology, pharmaceuticals and sustainable bio-based chemistry.
The LSR specialist department
The "Life Science Research" division of the VDGH represents the interests of around 30 member companies. As a political and economic interest group, we are a discussion partner for organizations from industry, science and politics.
It is a declared aim to raise public awareness of the term "Life Science Research" in order to sharpen the identity of the LSR sector and publicize its portfolio of developments and potential applications. Members benefit from the association's internal communication and company-supporting measures.
Chair of the Management Board of the LSR department
Promega GmbH
Vice Chairman of the Management Board of the LSR department
Bio-Techne GmbH
Eppendorf AG
Member of the Management Board of the LSR department
Illumina GmbH
QIAGEN GmbH
Merck KGaA
SERVA Electrophoresis GmbH
The companies' products are used in basic research, diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, food safety, but also in the fields of forensics and bioeconomy. Every year, the Market Research Committee of the LSR specialist department takes an interest in its market environment and looks at the economic development of various sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotech, laboratory and IVD.
And the year 2023 is a special one: the tense economic situation is causing heavy losses and none of the six sectors under consideration are growing overall.
In our market environment, the chemical, biotech and IVD sectors are showing the greatest losses in turnover. The biotech industry has been hit particularly hard with a decline of -51%, which it attributes to the significant drop in demand for coronavirus vaccines. The IVD industry is also still characterized by the reversal of the corona-related special economic situation with a decline in sales of -36%. Only the ABL sector remains at almost the same level as in 2022.
However, if we focus on the average growth of the last five years, the so-called 5-year CAGR, a much more positive picture emerges: The biotech industry benefited from the corona years and has a 5-year CAGR of 23% - the market volume has grown from just under € 5 billion back then to € 12.7 billion today. Our LSR sector achieved the second-best average 5-year growth, well ahead of the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Seen in this light, the estimated annual LSR turnover of € 3.08 billion also creates a new basis that is significantly above the level of 2018 and 2019 and even exceeds the turnover of the first coronavirus year 2020. The base of the chemical and IVD sectors has increased less strongly over the last five years (chemicals: + 1.67%; IVD: + 1.15%).
LSR market Germany 2018-2023
Since 2020, the rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to an increase in demand for a wide range of LSR technologies. Now the coronavirus pandemic is over - and so is the special boom. The decline in sales in 2023 is clear: the German LSR market will shrink by 7.1% to a total sales volume of 3.08 billion euros. This sends a clear signal.
The average sales growth over the last five years is positive: with average growth of 5.12%, the LSR industry is demonstrating its very good overall development and resilience.
Seen in this light, the estimated annual turnover of EUR 3.08 billion also creates a new basis that is significantly above the level of 2018 and 2019 and even exceeds the turnover of the first coronavirus year 2020. This fact also gives us a positive outlook for the future in difficult times.
Trend topics
The LSR Market Research Committee is dedicated to analyzing current, global research priorities. The members define scientific trend topics and derive actions for the industry from them. This puts us at the cutting edge of life science research. Why is that important? We work hand in hand with the scientific community and offer know-how, expertise and customized solutions for scientific research in academia and the private sector.
We define personalized medicine, microbiome and organoids as current international trend topics, because they hold great potential for medical innovation and social benefit.
Our current LSR lighthouse topic "cell and gene therapy" is a prime example of innovative medicine and unites the LSR and IVD sectors in a special way.
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