Description

DNA sequence information is critical to understanding genetic variations, which can influence disease and genetic interactions, which can influence drug efficacy. As such, automated sequencers play a vital role in the drug discovery process. The use of sequencers in drug discovery has expanded beyond simply decoding genomes to understanding cellular messages in the hopes of developing novel drug compounds. The investigation of end-user needs in DNA Sequencing can be leveraged across several product categories with the goals of developing better products and expanding market penetration. To this end, the survey data has been placed in context by cross-tabulating it with the responses to an initial 14-question survey designed to provide baseline data on the nature of the respondent's drug discovery research. Included in these cross-tabulations are: the stage of research, type of research, disease targets, biological processes studied, and other related products and services used regularly. The results of the seven surveys conducted for this unique series of reports clearly show that past distinctions between the stages of drug discovery are diminishing. DNA Sequencing is structured to reflect the market's integration, while highlighting end-user problems that represent exciting market opportunities for life science suppliers. Report Highlights Along with a comprehensive overview of significant findings, DNA Sequencing contains detailed charts and graphs depicting the answers to all 31-survey questions and over 20 cross-tabulations. Below is a glimpse of the key findings derived from just a few of the survey questions: • 48% of respondents participating in this survey conduct the majority of their sequencing experiments using an on-site core facility or another lab at their company/institution. (Question 2) • Respondents are using automated sequencers for a variety of applications other than DNA sequencing, with "mutation detection" (54%) being the most common. (Question 9) • The most significant performance limitation/operational problem that respondents' labs experience when using automated DNA sequencing equipment is that the "average read length is too short"(21%). (Question 15) • Applied Biosystems (ABI) (74%) was the company most frequently mentioned when the respondents were asked which company/supplier comes to mind when they think of automated DNA sequencers. (Question 18) • Applied Biosystems (ABI) (53%) was also the company most frequently mentioned when the respondents were asked which company/supplier comes to mind when they think of DNA sequencing kits. (Question 27) (Electronic copy also includes 1 print copy)

Table of Contents

Section 1 Executive Overview and Introduction 1-1 Among the Study's Key Findings 1-2 Evolution of Modern Sequencing 1-2 Sequencing Technology 1-3 Reagent Systems for Automated DNA Sequencing 1-4 Software 1-4 Sequencing Applications 1-5 Sequencing Strategies 1-5 Common Challenges of Sequencing 1-6 New Sequencing Technologies 1-6 Conclusion Section 2 Study Methodology and Demographics 2-1 Objectives 2-1 Comments 2-2 Assumptions 2-3 Definition of Terms 2-4 Market Segment 2-4 Job Position 2-4 Organization Size 2-4 Laboratory Size 2-4 Geographic Region 2-5 Area(s) of Research Section 3 Significant Findings 3-1 Product Use & Application 3-1 Product Expectations 3-2 Technology & Suppliers Section 4 Presentation of Survey Data DNA Sequencing Technology 4-1 Current use of DNA sequencing 4-4 Location of automated DNA sequencing experiments 4-6 Principle reason why automated DNA sequencing experiments are not performed within own lab/group 4-8 Sequencing method(s) currently used 4-9 DNA sequencing strategies currently used 4-11 Average number of DNA sequencing reactions performed per week 4-12 Size of typical DNA sequencing output per week 4-13 Sequencing techniques currently used Automated DNA Sequencers 4-15 Application(s) for which automated sequencer(s) are used 4-17 Number of automated DNA sequencers currently located in lab/group or centralized on-site facility 4-18 Number of automated DNA sequencers dedicated only to sequencing applications 4-19 Future use of automated DNA sequencers 4-21 Most influential features in decision to use one automated DNA sequencer over another 4-23 Most influential factor in decision to purchase one automated DNA sequencer over another 4-25 Most significant performance limitation/operational problem experienced when using automated DNA sequencing equipment 4-27 Most valuable improvement to automated DNA sequencers 4-29 Importance of the features of the manufacturer's sequencing software package in purchasing decision 4-30 "Top-of-mind" company/supplier for automated DNA sequencers 4-31 Primary supplier of automated DNA sequencing equipment 4-33 "Top-of-mind" company/supplier for sequencing software 4-34 Manufacturer of the most frequently used sequencing software DNA Sequencing Kits 4-36 Number of DNA sequencing kits used per week 4-37 Most influential features in decision to use one DNA sequencing kit over another 4-39 Most influential factor in decision to purchase one automated DNA sequencing kit over another 4-41 Most significant performance limitation/operational problem experienced when using DNA sequencing kits 4-43 Most valuable improvement to DNA sequencing kits 4-45 "Top-of-mind" company/supplier for DNA sequencing kits 4-46 Primary supplier of automated DNA sequencing kits Trends 4-48 Estimated percentage of current total annual budget for products/services dedicated to automated DNA sequencers, sequencing kits and sequencing software 4-49 Estimated percentage of future total annual budget for products/services dedicated to automated DNA sequencers, sequencing kits and sequencing software Section 5 Benchmarking Data 5-1 Stage of drug discovery research 5-2 Type of drug discovery research conducted 5-4 Disease focus of drug discovery research 5-6 Biological processes or states monitored 5-8 Techniques used 5-10 Automated systems used 5-12 Types of equipment used 5-13 "Top-of-mind" company for products and services for drug discovery Section 6 Appendices 6-1 Overall comments as to where suppliers should focus their efforts 6-2 Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data 6-27 Related Reports 6-33 About BioInformatics 6-34 Our Valued Clients