DNA Sequencing: Emerging Technologies and Applications

BCC’s goal for this study is to determine the status of current and next generation DNA sequencing technologies and products and assess their worldwide growth potential over a five-year period from 2008 to 2013. Our particular interest is to characterize and quantify the DNA sequencing products market potential by application, technology, analysis type, geography and end user. Sequencing applications market segments that will provide substantial future growth opportunities for next generation DNA sequencing companies include research, drug discovery and development, forensics and human identification, bacterial genomics, agricultural genomics, clinical diagnostics and personal genomics. 

 

Our main objective is to present a comprehensive discussion of where the state-of-the-art is in DNA sequencing technologies, and assess the state of the sequencing industry and the current and future commercial potential for the key market segments. 

 

The Human Genome Project (HGP) moved DNA sequencing technology to the forefront of life science research as a genetic analysis tool. The HGP relied heavily on Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis to decipher the DNA sequence of the bases in the human genome. A significant outcome of the HGP was improvements in the efficiency and costs of DNA sequencing. During this time period, the DNA sequencing industry consolidated, resulting in one dominant company: Applied Biosystems. In 2008, in the post-HGP era, new DNA sequencing technologies are emerging that will radically alter the structure of the industry and open up substantial new market applications. Contributing to the rise of these new sequencing technologies are advances in nanotechnology, microfluidics, imaging, enzymology, and bioinformatics. Based on these market and technology dynamics, it is timely to examine the future DNA sequencing markets. 

 

Ongoing discoveries in nanotechnology, bioinformatics, microfluidics, imaging, enzymology and bioinformatics are revolutionizing many life science fields, and providing novel platforms for next generation DNA sequencing. At the same time this is occurring, there is a growing market demand for analysis of the genomes of many species and cancers, and for understanding the role of genetic variation among individuals in disease. The genetic analysis industry seeks to meet these needs with tools such as microarrays, real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and DNA sequencing instruments. With the novel next generation sequencing technologies, applications space vis-à-vis the other genetic analysis tools has widened, and this report seeks to understand this trend and its significance for companies supplying DNA sequencing products and services. 

 

The next generation DNA sequencing technologies will change the dynamics of the current DNA sequencing industry and create novel market opportunities. This report analyzes these trends and their impact on the future markets for DNA sequencing technologies.

 

It is particularly timely to gain an understanding of these industry and technology forces, and the impact on the genetic analysis markets.

 

We have compiled a study of existing and next generation technologies that will be commercially important in the major end user segments of life science research, drug discovery and development, forensics and human identification, bacterial genomics, agricultural genomics, clinical diagnostics and personal genomics. We present both Sanger sequencing and next generation, non-Sanger sequencing technologies as well as market growth driving forces, product formats, market applications, companies and industry alliances, future market potential and product sales forecasts for the period 2008 through 2013. We forecast the use of sequencing products for these end user segments: major sequencing centers, academic genome centers, government labs, pharmaceutical/biotech labs, small to mid-size labs and sequencing service labs.

 

This study will be of particular interest to life science research tools suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, diagnostics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology companies. It will also be valuable to companies involved in genome sequencing projects, sequencing centers, manufacturers of microarrays, suppliers of molecular diagnostics assays, bioinformatics companies, and cancer researchers and clinicians. 

 

The study scope includes DNA sequencing technologies likely to be commercialized within the next five years. Sanger and next generation (non-Sanger sequencing) technologies are included. Each technology is analyzed to determine its market status, impact on future market segments, and forecasted growth from 2008 through 2013. Advantages and limitations of each technology together with market driving forces are discussed.

 

BCC examines the sequencing industry structure, strategic industry alliances and acquisitions, and sequencing patents.   The strategies of the main Sanger and next generation sequencing companies are discussed. The markets for sequencing applications, including de novo whole genome sequencing, re-sequencing, ChipSeq, MethylSeq and RNASeq, are analyzed. 

 

 

BCC surveyed key users and producers in each of the market applications that will be commercially important during the next five years: research, drug discovery and development, forensics and human ID, bacterial genomics, agricultural genomics, clinical diagnostics and personal genomics.   Based on our industry discussions and market analysis, we project the future applications of sequencing platforms and forecast sales revenues for 2008 through 2013.

 

The sequencing market is analyzed by technology, product type, application, customer, analysis type, geography and genome type, with forecasts of market demand from 2008 through 2013. We analyze which applications and analyses will be important to the future of DNA sequencing, and the customer groups that will be consumers of the technologies. We also analyze the impact of other genetic analysis technologies like microarrays on the growth of sequencing.

 

 

BCC surveyed leading DNA sequencing, biotechnology, and nanotechnology companies as well as core sequencing facilities and laboratories to obtain data for this study. Included were research tools, drug, biotechnology and nanotechnology firms, and leading life science research institutions. We also spoke with leading industry thinkers. In addition, we compiled data from secondary sources including industry, trade, and government.