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Proteomics, genomics to fuel lab eqpt sector growth
Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru | Sunday, April 28, 2013, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

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.

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