Microarray market still buoyant
the doldrums of late, the DNA microarray market continues to
experience robust growth world wide, according to new market
research from Frost & Sullivan.
And despite a slowdown in instrument sales, sale of research consumables continues to register marked growth due to a strongly installed base, it notes.
Currently, the market includes both commercial and so-called 'homebrew' (self-printed) products; however, it is expected that commercial products will dominate the future market, according to the report.
For the both segments to reach the 'success' phase, companies need to anticipate the trends in the market, successfully counter threats, and develop solutions that meet and define the customers' needs, says F&S.
Meanwhile, accompanying the rising popularity of microarrays as diagnostic tools, there has been constant demand from consumers for standardised and integrated solutions. In keeping with this, vendors are offering solutions that incorporate multiple products such as arrayers, readers, software, slides and content. Future solutions are expected to integrate a scanner, software, and hybridisation equipment, notes the report.
"Standardisation of content is also likely to overcome the difficulty of comparing data across varied platforms," says F&S analyst Isaac Meek. This process is set to be aided by development of arrays that identify and monitor the transcriptional profile of different splice variants.
Meanwhile, the use of DNA microarrays in pharmaceutical and biotechnology segments, especially in clinical studies, is being challenged by the slow growth of the pharmaceutical markets. But this can be overcome by forming mutually beneficial partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and chalking out effective marketing strategies, which explain the benefits to potential new users.
F&S maintains that the global market for DNA microarrays is poised to grow at an annual average of 6.7 per cent from $596 million in 2003 to $937 million in 2010. The commercial DNA microarray segment, which currently accounts for approximately 57 per cent of the market revenues, is projected to grow faster than the self-printed segment as a result of increased adoption of standardised platforms. However, revenue contributions of consumable and pre-printed arrays to the total market are likely to improve.
Europe gaining in importance
Though the US market continues to be the largest in terms of volume and revenues, the European market is experiencing substantial growth in the commercial array segment. A significant amount of research is being conducted in Europe creating market growth opportunities.
As the market for microarrays matures, ample opportunities exist in clinical trials and diagnostics. Increasing availability and validity of content, the success of the technology in offering high throughput capabilities that enable comprehensive studies and the promise of personalised medicine and enhanced knowledge of disease is also likely to encourage the uptake of microarrays as a diagnostic tool.
Meek also comments that, from a competitive viewpoint, consolidation of this highly competitive and fragmented market is likely to occur and help larger microarray companies boost revenues.
