Market opportunities abound for life science suppliers in multi-billion dollar US market for biodefense research, says this analyst's report
US homeland security-related R+D is expected to total $5.2 billion in FY 2007.
However, a recent study found that despite the massive spending in this market, the unavailability of some critical research resources has been a limitation in the development of new prophylactics, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Among the pathogen-specific tools required to conduct biodefense research are genomics, proteomics, appropriate in vitro and animal models, validated assays and standardized reagents.
BioInformatics recently published its latest report, Market opportunities in biodefense research: trends and forecasts, based on the opinions of over 500 current and future biodefense researchers.
This report outlines how life science suppliers can best serve the important and growing biodefense research market.
"Developing new products for the biodefense market requires more than just product development.
"The rate at which researchers will adopt a new technology is also dependent upon customer preferences, product positioning and market influences.
"According to the current and future biodefense researchers we surveyed, pathogen-specific Elisa kits and DNA microarrays hold the most promise," stated Tamara Zemlo, director of syndicated research at BioInformatics.
"Sigma-Aldrich and Invitrogen are the top two companies that come to mind when respondents are asked to think about biodefense-related products, however neither supplier was chosen by more than 10% of scientists surveyed, illustrating that there is no clear leader in the biodefense market.
"Suppliers that develop a reputation for innovative product development in critical biodefense related areas have the potential to distinguish themselves as notable biodefense companies within the life science market - and begin building market share in pathogen-specific product or application areas," noted Zemlo.
