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
Eppendorf AG
Merck KGaA
Member of the Management Board of the LSR department
Bio-Techne GmbH
Roche Diagnostics Deutschland GmbH
QIAGEN GmbH
SERVA Electrophoresis GmbH
The products of our industry 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.
The year 2023 was still characterized by recession in all sectors considered: The 2023 to 2022 growth rates were negative for all six sectors. The comparison between 2024 and 2023 shows differences within the sectors: the pharmaceutical sector grew the fastest at 2.5%. IVD, LSR and ABL sectors remain almost at the previous year's level (growth of +0.6%, -0.3% and -0.1% respectively). The chemical and biotech sectors are in recession for the second year in a row: at -8%, the biotech sector is feeling the effects more clearly than the chemical sector at -3%. All in all, the economy has not recovered after 2023 as much as was hoped for at the beginning of 2024.
To look at the long-term trend, we use the average growth of the last five years, the so-called 5-year CAGR. This value smoothes out short-term fluctuations, such as the exceptional economic situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and thus provides a better overview of the long-term performance of the sectors considered here.
With a market volume of EUR 3.8 billion, the LSR industry clearly reached a new plateau in 2024, characterized by average growth of 5.4%. The biotech industry has the highest average growth in the 5-year CAGR at 17.2% - the market volume has grown from just under EUR 5 billion to EUR 11 billion today. The pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors have grown by an average of just over 4% in the last five years. The base of the chemical and IVD sectors has grown less strongly in the last five years (chemicals: +2.0%; IVD: +1.9%).
(as at 23.06.2025).
LSR market Germany 2019-2024
Since 2020, the rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to an increase in demand for a wide range of LSR technologies. The coronavirus pandemic is now long gone - and so is the exceptional economic situation. The decline in sales in 2023 was significant. The slight decline of -0.3% in 2024 was sobering - we were still expecting a positive annual balance at the start of 2024. However, the annual growth also indicates one thing: We have reached a new normal.
With annual sales of EUR 3.83 billion in Germany, we are now on a new plateau, which is 5.37% higher than the last plateau from the period before coronavirus.
We are now looking to the future with excitement, which could not be more uncertain given the current situation. Trade disputes and cuts in research funding in the US and Europe are currently not providing any positive impetus for the upturn in the LSR business.
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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