WELLESLEY, Massachusetts, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com) reveals in its new report, In Vitro Toxicity Testing: Technologies and Global Markets, the global market for in vitro and in silico safety and toxicity testing is expected to grow to nearly $9.9 billion by 2017, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7%.

Safety and toxicity testing is used by pharmaceutical companies to screen and prioritize new drug candidates, and ultimately enables government regulators to determine whether the benefits of a particular substance outweigh its risks to human health and/or the environment. Over the past 20 years, concerns over animal welfare and other scientific activities have spurred the development of alternative testing methods. Ongoing research, development and scale-up of in vitro and in silico methods include an array of advanced technology platforms that are gaining traction commercially.

The Foundational Tox sector is the largest segment in this market with revenues of $3.1 billion projected for 2017, growing at a 16.3% CAGR through 2017. BCC Research estimates about 47% of this segment relates to the cosmetics industry, which has been a major catalyst for developing in vitro toxicology due to concerns over animal testing. In 2013, for example, the EU barred the sale of any cosmetics product whose ingredients have been tested on animals for any purpose. Many feel the ban was too harsh, and that it will limit cosmetics growth and stymie innovation.

"Relative to future upside, the question becomes the pace of adoption for cosmetics testing in China, Russia, India, and Brazil, which depends on changing government regulations and attracting more foreign investments there, and for pharmaceutical screening and testing where confidence is gaining, and alignment with FDA and other regulators is beginning to show support for in vitro methods," said BCC Research pharmaceuticals analyst Robert Hunter. "Our research indicates that the current wave of in vitro adoption globally will take at least five to seven years, and it could be decades before animal testing is replaced entirely."

Toxicology is defined as "the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms and the ecosystem." In vitro studies (often called "test tube" experiments) are conducted using parts of a living organism that have been isolated from their usual environment. In silico studies are those conducted via a computer.

The term "predictive" is often used in conjunction with in vitro toxicology. Historically, predictive approaches (also called "nonmechanistic") have been contrasted with mechanistic, but increasingly the two are used in tandem as complementary methods. The report uses the term "Predictive Toxicology" to encompass both predictive and mechanistic approaches.

Mr. Hunter will present a complimentary webcast on March 11, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time: "In Vitro and In Silico Methods from Predictive Toxicology to Help Develop Precision Medicine." Register here: http://bit.ly/predtox-webcast.

In Vitro Toxicity Testing: Technologies and Global Markets provides a comprehensive overview of the major types of traditional toxicity testing in use, and the in vitro and in silico techniques that are being developed by industry, government agencies, and nonprofits. The study analyzes current market status, examines drivers of future markets and presents forecasts of growth over a five-year period. Technology developments, including the latest trends, are also discussed. In addition, the report examines the current regulations and the different federal and international agencies that play an active role in in vitro and in silico toxicology research, development, and adoption. The report will be particularly useful for managers and executives in product research and development, including those responsible for bringing new products to market.

Editors and reporters who wish to speak with the analyst should contact Steven Cumming at steven.cumming@bccresearch.com.

About BCC Research

BCC Research publishes market research reports that make organizations worldwide more profitable with intelligence that drives smart business decisions. These reports cover today's major industrial and technology sectors, including emerging markets. For more than 40 years we've helped customers identify new market opportunities with accurate and reliable data and insight. These include market sizing, forecasting, industry overviews, and identification of significant trends and key competitors. We partner with analysts who are experts in specific areas of industry and technology. Their up-to-date knowledge gives our customers unbiased measurements and assessments of these vital markets. Because our reports offer a global focus, our customers include the top companies in industries around the world as well as universities, major business schools, start-ups, consulting firms and investment companies. BCC Research is a unit of Eli Research LLC. Visit our website at www.bccresearch.com.

Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC, 49-2 Walnut Park, Wellesley, MA 02481, Telephone: (+1) 781-489-7301; Email: editor@bccresearch.com as the source and publisher. Thank you.

In Vitro Toxicity Testing: Technologies and Global Markets (PHM017E)

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