Based on the huge demand from exhibitors and visitors for Medlab Middle East, which takes place along with Arab Health this year, the organisers have decided to hold the next edition as a standalone event next year.

More than 400 laboratory exhibitors participated in Medlab Middle East 2022, a 100 per cent increase from 2021 says Informa Markets, organisers of the show. The event took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 24 to 27, 2022.

As a result of the pandemic, Medlab Middle East and Arab Health co-located in 2021 to provide a platform for both the laboratory and general healthcare industries to come together, reconnect and do business face-to-face in a safe and secure environment.

However, following demand from leading laboratory companies to showcase their offering in a dedicated space, and from attendees keen to capitalise on the latest laboratory releases, the event will now revert to a standalone format, with dates confirmed for February 7 to 9, 2023.

Tom Coleman, Exhibition Director of Medlab Middle East, said: “Advances in the medical laboratory have been pivotal in the defence against the continued threat that Covid-19 poses to industries around the world. Due to the speed at which the laboratory industry has responded to these threats by developing solutions, products and technology to counter the impact of the pandemic, we have seen a surge in companies wanting to showcase their innovations.

“As a result of this demand, the event in 2023 will have a total of six halls, showcasing the latest innovations and new technologies being utilised in the laboratory industry.”

Key players participating in the 2022 edition included Roche, Siemens, Beckman Coulter, Abbott, Biomerieux and Mindray. In addition to the growth in exhibitors, which is expected to increase to over 500 in 2023, country pavilions have risen from nine in 2021 to ten in 2022, with that figure expected to increase to 14 in 2023.

Fuelling the surge in exhibitors is the anticipated growth in the global laboratory industry. According to the Global Clinical Laboratory Market – Analysis by test, end-user, by region, by country (2021 edition), the global laboratory market is expected to grow by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6 per cent between 2021 and 2026, which puts the predicted value of the global laboratory market at $33.07 billion by 2026.

The report attributed the growth rate to the increasing number of lifestyle-related ailments and chronic illnesses, and spurts of infectious diseases in different parts of the world.