INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
BCC’s goal for this study was to determine the status of current and emerging biochip technologies and products, and assess their worldwide growth potential over a 5-year period from 2009 to 2014. We were particularly interested in characterizing the biochip markets for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), epigenetics, array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH), microRNA (miRNA), proteomics microarray, and lab-on-a-chip (LOAC) markets, which will provide substantial future growth opportunities for biochips. A particular focus of this study is the market for biochip-based diagnostics products.
Our key objective was to present a comprehensive discussion of where the state-of-the-art is in biochip technologies and the current and future commercial potential for each of the key market segments.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
Biology is following a path that is reminiscent of the early electronics industry: a miniaturization and large-scale integration process that will revolutionize life-science research, drug discovery and development, medical diagnostics and biotechnology. The ongoing miniaturization and large-scale integration process is encompassed in devices known as biochips, including microarrays and LOAC microfluidic devices. Biochips represent a diverse group of nanotechnologies that can be expected to exert a significant impact in life-science research, diagnostics, and medicine.
DNA microarrays are already an established technology generating substantial revenue derived from gene expression, SNP analysis and gene resequencing. Several biochip-based diagnostics have been launched in the past few years, including some that have been approved by the FDA for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. We foresee significant market growth in biochips as diagnostics. Protein microarrays are gaining prominence in the marketplace, while future, emerging array technologies, including tissue/cell and glycomics arrays, are increasing in importance. LOAC devices are also making rapid progress in important pharmaceutical and diagnostics market segments.
BCC previously examined the biochip industry in 2007. Given the rapidly advancing bio- and nanotechnologies associated with this business, and the changing industry dynamics, it is timely to reexamine the biochips business.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
We have compiled a study of critical biochip technologies that will be important in the four major end-user segments. We present the biochip technologies and growth driving forces, product types, key market applications, companies, and alliances, future market potential and product sales forecasts for the period 2009 through 2014. We project the future use of microarray and LOAC products for the key end-use segments: research tools, drug discovery and development, diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, biodefense, food testing, and forensics.
This study will be of particular interest to the companies in the following industries: diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, nanotechnology, life-sciences tools, biodefense, medical devices, polymers, glass, bioinformatics, and genetic services. It will also be of interest to companies involved in drug and/or biomarker discovery programs, manufacturers of microarrays and LOAC devices, antibodies, restriction enzymes or primers, bioinformatics developers, and cancer researchers and clinicians.
SCOPE OF REPORT
The study scope includes the major biochip technologies that are likely to become commercialized within the next 5 years. Each technology is analyzed to determine its market status, impact on future market segments, and forecast growth from 2009 through 2014. Technology issues and market driving forces are discussed. Influencing factors including large-scale integration, microfluidics, nanotechnology, large-scale biochip, genomic and proteomic research initiatives, cancer diagnostic and treatment trends, and drug discovery and development needs are discussed.
BCC presents an analysis of each of the key market segments that will be commercially important during the next 5 years: research tools, drug discovery and development, diagnostics, next-generation DNA sequencing, biodefense, food safety, and forensics.
Based on our analysis, we evaluate the potential applications of biochips in each of the major market segments, and forecast sales revenues for 2009 through 2014.
BCC examines biochip companies and industry alliances, and the impact of large-scale biochip-related projects on the market growth. We also examine patent strategies within the industry. A total of 143 companies are profiled.
METHODOLOGY
Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in this market study. For research tools and drug discovery and development, the study presents a forecast from 2009 through 2014 for each of the important products and technologies. For DNA microarrays, the study forecasts market size by application and analysis type. For diagnostics, the report forecasts from 2009 through 2014 the demand for biochips by chip type and by indication, as well as cancer biochips by type and application. This study forecasts from 2009 through 2014 the market for LOAC devices by end-use market and by application. The geographical markets are forecast for each biochip type.
INFORMATION SOURCES
BCC surveyed life-science companies and research institutions to obtain data for this study. Included were research tools firms, diagnostics firms, drug firms, microarray and LOAC companies, and leading microarray research institutions. We also spoke with users of in vitro personalized medicine devices. In addition, we compiled data from secondary sources, including industry, trade, and government.
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ANALYST CREDENTIALS
The author, John Bergin, has written previous BCC biotechnology reports entitled Epigenomics: Emerging Opportunities in Biomarkers, Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Global Biochip Markets: Microarrays and Lab-on-a-chip; RNA Interference in the Post-Genomics Era: Markets and Technologies; DNA Sequencing: Emerging Technologies and Markets; Biologic Imaging Reagents: Future Technologies and Markets and Synthetic Biology. Mr. Bergin has held business development, sales and marketing positions with a Fortune 500 advanced materials company, as well as executive management positions with an emerging nanotechnology company. Mr. Bergin holds the following degrees: B.S. Chemistry, M.S. Biotechnology, and Masters of Business Administration.
DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.
Report Code: BIO049C, Published: January 2010, Analyst: John Bergin
