The global immunohistochemistry market, valued at US$3.31 billion in 2024, stood at US$3.55 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$5.14 billion by the end of the period. The increasing number of cancer cases is one of the key factors driving the uptake of IHC products, which, in turn, leads to a greater need for accurate and efficient diagnostic tools such as IHC tests.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) sits at the intersection of pathology, diagnostics and precision medicine — helping pathologists visualize proteins in tissues and enabling oncologists to make treatment decisions. The IHC market is crowded, but a handful of companies repeatedly rise to the top thanks to deep reagent portfolios, reliable automation platforms, strong global distribution, and investments in digital pathology and companion diagnostics. Below are five companies that consistently shape the market and why they matter.
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1. Agilent Technologies (Dako)
Why they dominate: Agilent’s Dako brand is synonymous with IHC reagents and staining systems used in clinical labs worldwide.
Strengths
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Broad portfolio of high-quality primary antibodies and detection kits optimized for diagnostic workflows.
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Proven automation solutions that improve throughput and standardization in clinical labs.
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Strong relationships with pathology labs and hospital networks, plus deep involvement in companion diagnostic development.
2. Roche Diagnostics (Ventana)
Why they dominate: Roche’s Ventana systems are widely used for automated staining and companion diagnostics in oncology.
Strengths
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Leadership in companion diagnostics — pairing IHC assays with targeted therapies.
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Robust automated staining platforms that scale from hospital labs to reference centers.
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Strong regulatory track record and close ties with pharmaceutical companies for co-development of tests.
3. Thermo Fisher Scientific
Why they dominate: Thermo Fisher leverages a massive life-science footprint to supply antibodies, detection chemistries, instruments, and consumables across research and clinical settings.
Strengths
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Extensive catalog of validated antibodies and reagents for research and translational labs.
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Distribution scale and laboratory services that support rapid adoption and reproducibility.
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Cross-platform capabilities that let labs pair IHC with proteomics and sequencing workflows.
4. Merck KGaA (MilliporeSigma in the U.S. & Canada)
Why they dominate: Merck’s life-science division supplies core reagents and detection systems essential to reliable IHC workflows.
Strengths
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High-quality reagents and validated detection kits trusted for reproducible staining.
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Global supply chain and technical support that appeal to diagnostic labs and research institutions.
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Investment in antibody validation and performance data to reduce variability between runs.
5. Leica Biosystems (part of Danaher)
Why they dominate: Leica Biosystems is known for its integrated histology and IHC solutions — from tissue processing to automated staining and imaging.
Strengths
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End-to-end offering: microtomy and tissue processors through to automated stainers and imaging platforms.
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Focus on workflow efficiency and consistent staining quality across high-volume labs.
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Strong service footprint and training programs that help labs achieve accreditation and standardization.
Why these five lead (short)
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Comprehensive portfolios — reagents, antibodies, instruments, and software that cover the entire histology/IHC workflow.
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Automation and standardization — instruments and protocols that reduce variability and scale throughput.
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Partnerships & companion diagnostics — close ties with pharma accelerate clinically validated assays tied to therapies.
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Global reach and service — distribution, training and troubleshooting matter for clinical adoption.
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Investment in innovation — multiplexing, digital pathology, and AI are reshaping how IHC data is produced and interpreted.
Market trends shaping competition
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Multiplex IHC & spatial biology: Labs want richer spatial information from fewer slides — a driver for multiplex reagents and imaging platforms.
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Digital pathology & AI: Companies that integrate staining hardware with image analysis win because they speed diagnosis and add quantitative rigor.
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Companion diagnostics boom: As targeted therapies grow, pharma partnerships for validated IHC assays remain a major competitive advantage.
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Supply-chain resilience & regulatory support: Reliable supply and clear regulatory pathways are decisive in clinical settings.
The IHC market rewards companies that deliver reproducible chemistry, user-friendly automation, and integrated digital solutions. Agilent (Dako), Roche (Ventana), Thermo Fisher, Merck (MilliporeSigma), and Leica Biosystems each bring complementary strengths — reagent depth, automation, distribution, and imaging — that keep them at the forefront. For labs and pathology groups, the best vendor depends on needs: throughput, compatibility with existing workflows, companion diagnostic requirements, or downstream image analysis.