Hospitals have always been the biggest buyers of antibodies — for both therapy (inpatient infusions) and diagnostics (pathology labs). But diagnostic laboratories are the fastest‑growing end‑user segment. The China antibodies market forecast shows that diagnostic labs are growing at over 12% CAGR, driven by the push for early disease detection and the rise of precision medicine.

What’s driving the lab boom? Corporate wellness programs, insurance coverage for diagnostics, and the proliferation of standalone lab chains. The China antibodies market analysis notes that hospitals remain the dominant end‑user, but diagnostic labs are catching up — because they can run high‑volume tests at lower cost, and they’re more convenient for patients.

But there’s a downside: overtesting. Some labs push unnecessary antibody panels (e.g., food sensitivity tests) that aren’t evidence‑based. That’s both a waste of money and a source of false anxiety.

The takeaway: antibodies are a tool, not a toy. Used wisely, they save lives. Used carelessly, they inflate healthcare costs. China needs both more access and more restraint.