Accompanying the rising popularity of microarrays as diagnostic tools, there has been constant demand from consumers for standardised and integrated solutions
Compared to the total research products market, the DNA microarray market continues to experience robust growth world wide, reveals new analysis by Frost and Sullivan.
Despite a slowdown in instrument sales, sale of research consumables continues to register marked growth due to a strongly installed base.
Currently, the market includes both commercial and 'homebrew' (self-printed) products; however, it is expected that commercial products will dominate the future market.
For the both segments to reach the success phase, companies need to anticipate the trends in the market, successfully counter threats, and develop solutions that meet and define the customers' needs.
Accompanying the rising popularity of microarrays as diagnostic tools, there has been constant demand from consumers for standardised and integrated solutions.
In keeping with this, vendors are offering solutions that incorporate multiple products such as arrayers, readers, software, slides and content.
Future solutions are expected to integrate a scanner, software, and hybridisation equipment. "Standardisation of content is also likely to overcome the difficulty of comparing data across varied platforms," says industry analyst Isaac Meek from Frost and Sullivan.
This process is set to be aided by development of arrays that identify and monitor the transcriptional profile of different splice variants. The use of DNA microarrays in pharmaceutical and biotechnology segments, especially in clinical studies is being challenged by the slow growth of the pharmaceutical markets.
This can be overcome by forming mutually beneficial partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and chalking out effective marketing strategies, which explain benefits to potential new users.
Sales can also be boosted by offering convenient price breaks, attractive packages, and services.
The global market for DNA microarrays is poised to grow at an annual average of 6.7% from $596 million in 2003 to $937 million in 2010.
The commercial DNA microarray segment, which currently accounts for approximately 57% of the market revenues, is projected to grow faster than the self-printed segment as a result of increased adoption of standardised platforms.
However, revenue contributions of consumable and pre-printed arrays to the total market are likely to improve.
Though the US market continues to be the largest in terms of volume and revenues, the European market is experiencing substantial growth in the commercial array segment.
A significant amount of research is being conducted in Europe creating market growth opportunities.
As the market for microarrays matures, ample opportunities exist in clinical trials and diagnostics.
Increasing availability and validity of content, the success of the technology in offering high throughput capabilities that enable comprehensive studies and the promise of personalised medicine and enhanced knowledge of disease is also likely to encourage the uptake of microarrays as a diagnostic tool.
"The success of gene expression analysis has also sparked the employment of microarrays in non-traditional research areas such as agriculture and environmental science," notes Meek.
From a competitive viewpoint, consolidation of this highly competitive and fragmented market is likely to help larger microarray companies boost revenues.
Competitive success will hinge on the ability to offer complete solutions and develop open platforms.
