Multiplex diagnostics apply advanced molecular biology techniques to clinical challenges in patient care.As technology advances,the technology becomes reliable enough for clinical use and the per-patient costs of the technology become practical.However,the tests are similar to pharmaceuticals in that the cost of goods sold may be small in proportion to the costs of clinical trials to validate the test.Therefore,a substantial market price may be required in order to recover the development costs.Otherwise,the tests will have a negative total value for the test provider.The problem is,historically,the prices of laboratory tests are very small compared to their clinical value.For example,the troponin test may save lives by diagnosing heart attacks,but the market price of the test is only a few dollars.This lecture discusses the opportunities and challenges that face multiplex diagnostics in the marketplace.