A wide range of analytical instruments are needed for the growth of the proteomics and genomics. From detectors, sensors mass spectrometers and liquid chromatography instruments are being much-sought after. Efforts are on for new design improvements in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry (LC-MS) . Lab majors including Waters India, Merck Millipore, the life science division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany and Sartorius-Sedium are looking to tap this space.
According to KV Venugopalan, president, Waters India and president, Indian Analytical Instruments Association (IAIA) , companies are now keen on finding out the emerging opportunities in proteomics and structural biology segments. Specific to Waters, its five instrument platforms for separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis systems and chemistries can offer solutions in research.
An initiative since 2010 has been the Waters Centre for Innovation Program which recognizes studies in advanced chemistry and biology, genomics and proteomics allowing the company to sustain its growth momentum with lab instruments, he added.
The global analytical instrument industry including India which had been registering double digit growth has seen a dip. But with the currency looking to stabilize, there are signs of a positive upshot. There are efforts by the governments the world over to bring back growth. At the same time sectors like pharmaceuticals and healthcare, which are viewed to be resistant to recession, have reported no de-growth so far, he said.
The subdued economic environment has been an opportunity for companies like Waters Corporation and its India subsidiary to scout for acquisitions. "We are on the lookout for companies with a similar strategic fit. Now with these expansion plans, we would also look to increase the manpower which is currently 260 personnel. However, for the present it would be difficult to put a percentage to the headcount increase," he added.
Airing similar views , a panel of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) said that the lab instrumentation needs to be advanced and be able to handle multiple operations. Therefore, speed of test reports and high sensitivity, easy-to-use and greater resolution in microscopy imaging are the key features being looked at during purchase of lab equipment.
Global drug regulatory authorities like the USFDA too has also upgraded its lab to handle the latest tests in toxicology, among others only to hasten the decision-making process to aid quicker innovations to improve the total safety and efficiency of drug.
A number of new labs are also coming up. For instance in Karnataka, the state drugs control department is now working to set up an advanced lab to handle biological tests. “We are sprucing up efforts to commission the new laboratory for testing biological drugs, vaccines and blood at Belgaum, said Dr. BR Jagashetty, Karnataka drugs controller.
A drug test lab should be equipped with the latest equipment. Our drugs control department installed 42 High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) under a World Bank funded Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project (KHSD&RP) assistance supplied by the global medical device major Shimadzu Corporation. The equipment have been installed at the three drug test labs located at Bengaluru, Hubli and Bellary, he added.
Merck Millipore’s application areas cover filtration of aqueous and organic solutions; sample prep for chromatography, mass spectrometry and sterile filtration. Some of the lab equipment in demand include Lumiex instruments and centrifugal filter units. The company also expanded its brand Mobius CellReady Bioreactor portfolio with the launch of a 50 L single-use stirred tank bioreactor for process development and pilot scale mammalian cell culture.
Another player in the lab instrumentation space is Sartorius Stedim which is a is a leading provider of equipment and services for the development, quality assurance and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions include fermentation, filtration, purification, fluid management and lab technologies. For next generation processes, the company focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the biopharmaceutical industry.