Description

Microplate technology allows both miniaturization and high-throughput to merge in an effort to streamline the drug discovery process, which is critical to the pharmaceutical industry. Microplate readers allow researchers to perform a variety of different assays efficiently and precisely as a result of their high-throughput adaptability and robotics. Furthermore, these assays provide the advantages of reducing labor time, raw material costs and sample volume. Although the microplate reader market is well established, it is expanding due to the dynamic nature of the platform. The investigation of end-user needs in High-Throughput Screening (HTS) 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 shows that past distinctions between the stages of drug discovery are diminishing. High-Throughput Screening (HTS) 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, High-Throughput Screening (HTS) contains detailed charts and graphs depicting the answers to all 29 survey questions and over 25 cross-tabulations. Below is a glimpse of the key findings derived from just a few of the survey questions: • 76% of respondents perform the majority of their lab's microplate reading applications within their own lab. (Question 2) • "Enzymatic activity assays" (63%) are the most common microtiter application used among the respondents. (Question 4) • Many of the respondents' labs (78%) are using UV/VIS detection technologies. (Question 6) • According to respondents, "background signals" (24%) is the most significant performance limitation/operation problem that their lab experiences with microplate reading equipment. (Question 15) • Molecular Devices (25%) was the company most frequently mentioned when the respondents were asked which company/supplier comes to mind when they think of microplate readers. (Question 18) (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 Microplate Readers and Drug Discovery 1-2 Identification and Optimization of Lead Compounds 1-2 How Microplate Readers Work 1-3 Microplate/HTS Applications 1-3 Detection Methods 1-4 Microplate Readers and Automation 1-4 Microplates 1-5 Challenges 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 Organization Size 2-4 Laboratory Size 2-4 Job Position 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 Microplate Readers 4-1 Current use of microplate reading applications 4-4 Location where microplate reading applications are performed 4-5 Principal reason why microplate reading applications are not performed within lab/group 4-7 Microtiter application(s) currently used 4-9 Techniques, technologies and target systems employed in high-throughput screening applications 4-11 Detection technologies currently used 4-13 Importance of microplate reader(s) employing multiple detection methods 4-14 Number of microplate readers currently in lab 4-15 Number of assays/reactions typically run per day 4-16 Future use of microplate readers 4-18 Robotic capabilities of most frequently used microplate reader 4-19 Functions automated in most frequently used microplate reader 4-21 Most influential features in decision to use one microplate reader over another 4-23 Most influential factor in decision to purchase one automated microplate reader over another 4-25 Most significant performance limitation/operational problem experienced when using microplate reading equipment 4-27 Most valuable improvement to microplate readers 4-29 Importance of manufacturer's software package features in purchasing decision 4-30 "Top-of-mind" company/supplier for microplate readers 4-31 Primary supplier of microplate readers 4-33 Familarity with suppliers of microplate readers Microplates 4-35 Preferred tracking method for microplates 4-37 Microplate format most often used 4-38 Type of well shape most often used 4-40 Type of well bottom most often 4-42 Type(s) of specialty microplates used 4-46 Purchasing of microplates from the same company that manufactures microplate reader Trends 4-48 Estimated percentage of current total annual budget for products/services dedicated to microplates and microplate readers 4-49 Estimated percentage of future total annual budget for products/services dedicated to microplates and microplate readers 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 6-3 Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data 6-29 Related Reports 6-35 About BioInformatics 6-36 Our Valued Clients