Biotech markets growth due to improving technologies

17 Jun 2002

According to Business Communications Company, Inc. report C-073R Separations for Commercial Biotechnology, the total value of the U.S. market for biotech separations systems in 1995 was slightly over $1 billion, and is expected to grow to over $2 billion by 2000, resulting in an average annual growth rate(AAGR) of 14.5%.

The 1995 market value for centrifuges was $257 million, expected to grow to $338 million by 2000, reaching an AAGR of 5.6%. Considerable interest is being generated for "one-shot" hybrid devices that incorporate elements of both technologies (membranes and centrifuges). The low-cost, efficient hybrids are finding increasing usage in higher value-added pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.

The current U.S. market value for chromatography and electrophoresis is $414 million, with a projected $849 million market by 2000, resulting in a 15.4%AAGR. Liquid chromatography for biotechnology is the dominant method, with supercritical fluid chromatography accounting for only a small portion of sales. Users cite equipment reliability, technical service, reproducibility, and column performance as important growth criteria. This technique also promises greater sensitivity and specificity in systems that are more cost effective and user friendly.