Life Science Software: Markets and Opportunities

We have carried out six studies in the life science field, which examined the use of specialist software and databases relating to the conduct of PCR, DNA sequencing, DNA microarray, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry and disease biomarker studies. These studies, which involved the participation of more than 2200 end-users in 70 countries, were carried out to assist software developers and vendors to identify market opportunities in these fields.

Background

The last two decades have seen unprecedented advances in technologies and applications in the life science field. Techniques such as PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry and flow cytometry have driven discoveries that have changed our understanding of the world. Today, techniques such as these are indispensable to the laboratory and by 2015, markets for these five areas alone are expected to exceed $50 billion, globally.

But, none of these developments would have been possible without parallel developments in computing and software. Together they provide the systems that allow the high volumes of complex information that these technologies generate, to be handled. Scientific and clinical needs have driven the development of a multitude of data handling, software, databases and bioinformatics platforms. But, despite the many products available, end-users are often restricted in what they can do due to software limitations. Markets are also changing, which demand new software solutions.

Report Scope

We have published a new report on the use of software and databases in the life science field. This is the outcome of six global studies involving more than 2,200 end-users in the PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker fields. These finding provide substantial information on end-user practices and opportunities in these markets.

This Report Provides:

- Software and Databases: A breakdown of end-user practices in the use of software and databases (including software/database market brands or in-house) in the conduct of PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker studies.

- Fields: A breakdown of end-user practices in the use of software and databases (including software/database market brands or in-house) by field (biotechnology, chemicals, clinical or hospital, defence, diagnostics, energy, environmental, food and drink, forensics, geology, government, healthcare, natural products, pharmaceuticals, research institutes, security and university) in the conduct of PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker studies.

- Regions: A breakdown of end-user practices in the use of software and databases (including software/database market brands or in-house) by regions (Europe, North America, Asia and Rest of World) in the conduct of PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker studies.

- Growth: A listing of organisations of participants in the PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker studies described in this report, according to their anticipated growth in these areas, (i.e. decline in activities, activities remain the same or increase in activities).
- Market Sizes: Estimates of global markets sizes of software and databases used in the PCR, DNA microarray, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and disease biomarker fields. These estimates are based on published market sizes of these fields, and the present study findings described in this report.

Key Areas Analysed

- PCR (Participants, n=614): Disclosures by experienced PCR end-users on their preferred bioinformatics software in the PCR field (including market brands and in-house developed systems); disclosures on the relative importance of specialist data control systems and/or specialist bioinformatics systems, alongside ten other general areas, as areas where innovation is most required in the PCR field; end-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current and future (2012 - 2015) annual budgets in percentage terms across eight general areas, including control and bioinformatics software, in the PCR field.

- DNA Microarray (Participants, n=201): Disclosures by experienced microarray end-users (DNA array, protein array, antibody array, tissue array) on their preferred bioinformatics software in the PCR field (including market brands and in-house developed systems); end-users' disclosures on the relative importance of specialist data control systems and/or specialist bioinformatics systems, alongside ten other general areas, as areas where innovation is most required in the DNA Microarray field; end-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current and future (2012 - 2015) annual budgets in percentage terms across eight general areas, including control and bioinformatics software, in the DNA microarray field.

- DNA Sequencing (Participants, n=108): Disclosures by experienced DNA sequencers on their preferred bioinformatics software in the DNA sequencing field (including market brands and in-house developed systems); end-users' disclosures on the relative importance of specialist data control systems and/or specialist bioinformatics systems, alongside ten other general areas, as areas where innovation is most required in the DNA sequencing field; end-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current and future (2012 - 2015) annual budgets in percentage terms across eight general areas, including control and bioinformatics software, in the DNA sequencing field.

- Flow Cytometry (Participants, n=262): Disclosures by experienced flow cytometry users on their preferred data analysis (off line) software in the flow cytometry field; end-users' disclosures on the relative importance of offline (analysis) software and/or online data handling software, alongside eight other general areas, where innovation is most required in the flow cytometry field; end-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current annual budgets in percentage terms across four general areas, including system control and analysis (offline) software, in the mass spectrometry field.

- Mass Spectrometry (Participants, n=567): Disclosures by experienced mass spectrometrists on their use (%) of data systems that are either part of the mass spectrometry systems supplied (i.e. integrated data systems) or alternatively, data system that are installed independently (i.e. independent data systems); type of independent data system used; type of database software used in MS applications; use of other specialist software in MS applications; end-users' disclosures on the relative importance of data systems/specialist software, alongside four other general areas, where end-users anticipate the greatest innovation over the next three years; end-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current annual budgets in percentage terms across four general areas, including data handling and specialialist software, in the mass spectrometry field.

- Disease Biomarkers (Participants n=511): Disclosures from scientists and clinicians on their two main specialist software programs and their two main specialist databases, that provide the greatest support to their work on disease biomarkers; disclosures on the relative importance of specialist software and/or specialist databases and/or specialist data handling systems alongside three other general areas, as areas where innovation is most required in the disease biomarker field; End-users' estimates of the breakdown of their current annual budgets in percentage terms across six general areas, including data handling, specialist software and databases, in the disease biomarker field.

- Participant Organisations: The names, countries and applications of participant organisations

- Organisation Growth Trends: Organisations' reported plans in terms of growth in the area to which the software and databases relate (i.e. decline in activities, activities remain the same or increase in activities).