Laboratory automation segment of the analytical and life science instrument industry accounted for more than $2.1 billion in sales in 2005. Lab automation sales are heavily tied to life science spending, especially spending by the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Although these industries have curtailed their spending in general, the demand for lab automation instruments has continued to rise due to new products and automated solutions for newer techniques, such as microarrays, as well as cell-based assays.
The laboratory automation market consists of microplate readers, liquid handling systems, robotics, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and dissolution testing systems. In total, these markets are expected to grow 7.2% in 2006 driven by proteomics research, drug discovery and drug screening applications. Although the pharmaceutical industry's focus has shifted to downstream applications, such as preclinical and clinical studies, lab automation continues to play an integral role in drug discovery and development.
Sales are forecasted to grow 7.7% this year for microplate readers, the largest segment of the lab automation market. Microplate readers are used either as standalone devices or integrated into a robotic system for applications in clinical labs as well as in pharmaceutical and biotech labs. This market is being driven by advanced configurations featuring multimode detection capabilities. In addition, applications involving fluorescence detection technologies, such as fluorescence polarization and time-resolved fluorescence, has gained in popularity. The microplate reader market is lead by PerkinElmer and Molecular Devices. Although detection systems account for a significant portion of the microplate reader market, sales of reagents, consumables and kits, particularly for cellular assays, are growing the fastest.
Liquid handling and robotics account for about 39% of the lab automation market. High-throughput screening, including target identification and validation, were once major drivers for liquid handling and robotics, but have become less important applications. Nonetheless, screening is still a necessary part of drug discovery and continues to fuel demand for lab automation products.
Out-of-the-box solutions have been traditionally a trademark for success in liquid handling and robotics. However, end-users are now seeking integrated, flexible solutions that can be customized. Flexible robotic platforms are driving demand as pharmaceutical and chemical markets move toward industrialization. The market for liquid handling, lead by Tecan and PerkinElmer, is expected to grow 6.8% in 2006. Caliper Life Sciences and Beckman Coulter lead the robotics market, which is expected to grow about 5.8% this year.
- allbusiness.com