LONDON, November 24 /PRNewswire/ --

The European autoimmune disease diagnostics market has demonstrated sustained growth due to advances in detection technology and automation. Active consolidation is occurring in the market, promoting technology and product integration. However, the lack of clarity with regard to reimbursement policies for autoimmune diagnostic tests persists, posing a challenge to market expansion.

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New analysis from Frost Sullivan (http://www.drugdiscovery.frost.com), European Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $513.5 million in 2008 and estimates this to reach $722.0 million in 2015.

The development of novel biomarker panels has accelerated the diagnosis of many autoimmune complications, notes Frost Sullivan Research Analyst Suraj Ramanathan. Exhaustive RD by many universities and research organisations has yielded promising results in the use of multiple biomarkers for autoimmune disease diagnosis.

The ability to screen a patient with multiple biomarkers associated with several autoimmune diseases has been shown to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and has had a significant positive influence on the autoimmune disease diagnostics market. Such novel biomarker panels will continue to offer an added advantage to physicians in the diagnosis of these complications.

Despite the advances in detection technology, the generalised lack of awareness among the public with regard to autoimmune diseases presents a challenge to market growth.

Such low levels of awareness may derive from the rarity of many autoimmune complications among the general population, explains Ramanathan. Many patients in Europe, unable to find a proper treatment for their condition, are consequently switching to traditional methods such as oriental medicine.

The need is, therefore, to boost patient awareness. This can be achieved through extensive workshops and disease awareness programmes.

In conjunction with medical research organisations and hospitals, manufacturers should establish awareness programmes and interactive workshops for the public, advises Ramanathan. These could highlight the prevalence of autoimmune diseases, while encouraging physicians to interact with the public on the symptoms, etiology and progression of autoimmune diseases.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the European autoimmune disease diagnostics market, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at pcairns_pr@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Strategic Analysis of the European Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market is part of the Drug Discovery Clinical Diagnostics Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European POC Connectivity Market, European Immunoassay Diagnostics Market, Western European IVD Markets, and Eastern European IVD Markets. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership(TM) empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost Sullivan's Growth Partnership Services, visit http://www.frost.com.

Strategic Analysis of the European Autoimmune Disease Diagnostics Market M2DC Contact: Patrick Cairns Corporate Communications P: +27-18-468-2315 E: patrick.cairns@frost.com http://www.frost.com

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications of Frost Sullivan, +27-18-468-2315, patrick.cairns@frost.com ; Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO