Microfluidic product revenues are forecasted to grow by more than 50% per year through 2007

The direction of Microfluidics, a group of technologies stemming from both microelectronics and bioanalytical chemistry, is evolving. Changes in the funding environment and a decade of commercial experience has guided technology providers towards a more realistic niche market approach as opposed to the mass production vision of the early nineties. The field is increasingly characterized by microfluidic modules that contribute discrete functionality to overall systems. Microfluidics are finding commercial applications in sample processing units for microarrays or mass spectrometry, patch clamping chips for screening drug candidates with ion channel targets, cell processing units for high-content screening systems, and target-amplification units for nucleic acid assay systems. Each of these applications exemplify value-adding contributions of microfluidics to overall systems.

Scope

D&MD's Microfluidics Market Analysis Report thoroughly analyzes the evolution of commercial microfluidics with emphasis on the forces driving recent shifts in company strategies and approaches to the market. These strategy shifts have presented a wide array of application areas, which are described in depth, including relevant predictions for future revenue potential. In addition, this report discusses the current focuses on business aspects of microfluidics, including the competitive environment, business models employed by market participants, and a thorough market analysis with revenue estimates and projections for the field as a whole and the most commercially viable segments.

Market Opportunities

• Based on number of companies involved, sample processing is turning out to be the major current application for microfluidics. This is especially relevant in sample processors for mass spectrometry. Other key sample processing applications involve cell-based assays, infectious disease assays, and microarray assays.
• Systems biology people are starting to recognize that microfluidics is key to doing the kinds of highly-parallel, high-throughput assays needed to generate data to test their models and simulations.
• In vitro diagnostic systems for biodefense and other point-of-use applications are under development in a number of companies. They are needed where available samples are very small and need for speed exists.
• Although primary high-throughput screening of drug candidates has not yet developed as a major application, secondary screens and assays used for lead development and process optimization are attractive targets for a number of commercial efforts.

Key Reasons to Buy

• Predict and react to growth areas with discussion of key market drivers for specific application areas with projected revenues and growth rates through 2007
• Understand the current commercial environment with in-depth discussions of how companies are shifting focus and strategies to meet market needs
• Remain current on emerging microfluidic technologies via a thorough examination and assessment of technologies underlying new products and applications
• Gain reliable market insight from analysis of why and how microfluidics and microfluidic companies will need to evolve in order to sustain growth over the long term
• Assess commercial application and funding opportunities presented by the biowarfare defense sector
• Keep your eye on the primary companies involved in microfluidics with extensive profiles of their technologies, business strategies, partnering activities, and more