Applied Biosystems Ranked Top Supplier in DNA Sequencing Market

Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI) is the company that scientists most closely associate with DNA sequencers, DNA sequencing kits and DNA sequencing software. PerkinElmer Life Sciences (NYSE:PKI) and Amersham Biosciences are other strong players in both the DNA sequencer and sequencing kit market, while DNASTAR and InforMax (NASDAQ:INMX) are other top suppliers of sequencing software.

ARLINGTON, VA -- June 14, 2002 -- Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI) is the company that scientists most closely associate with DNA sequencers, DNA sequencing kits and DNA sequencing software. PerkinElmer Life Sciences (NYSE:PKI) and Amersham Biosciences are other strong players in both the DNA sequencer and sequencing kit market, while DNASTAR and InforMax (NASDAQ:INMX) are other top suppliers of sequencing software.

These findings were uncovered in a multi-part survey of more than 1,700 scientists engaged in drug discovery research. BioInformatics, LLC (Arlington, VA), a leading provider of market research to the biotechnology industry, recently published six reports in its series, The Tools & Techniques of Drug Discovery." Seven separate surveys of researchers were conducted to produce integrated reports that investigate the market for six specific product categories: DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, DNA microarrays, bioassays, high-throughput screening and nuclear magnetic resonance. The reports, which can be purchased as a set or as individual reports, reflect the markets integration and give suppliers the most comprehensive overview of the tools and techniques currently in use, while highlighting problem areas that represent the most exciting opportunities.

DNA Sequencing" is the first report in the series and focuses on sequencing technologies, automated DNA sequencers and DNA sequencing kits. Current suppliers and those interested in entering the market will be encouraged to know that almost a quarter of respondents expect their labs expenditures on automated DNA sequencing kits, equipment and software to increase over the next 12 months, while another 60% predict that it will remain constant, indicating a relatively stable market with solid growth potential," says Bill Kelly, President of BioInformatics, LLC.

The report provides detailed data on product usage and applications, most important product features, preferred suppliers, definitions of product quality, levels of satisfaction with current products and the unmet needs of pharmaceutical scientists. These shared experiences and perceptions offer great insights to the markets suppliers from the scientists who rely upon their products and services. We believe that to really understand the DNA sequencing market, suppliers need to actually listen to the scientists that are purchasing and using their DNA sequencers and sequencing kits," says Kelly. For example, researchers noted that the most valuable improvement to automated DNA sequencers is to increase the accuracy of the machines. Because of the strong demand for such enhancements, it can be viewed as an incentive for automated DNA sequencer suppliers to strive to differentiate their products using such standards in order to gain a competitive advantage in this fast-paced, high-profile market," explains Tamara Zemlo, PhD, Director of Scientific & Medical Communications for The Science Advisory Board.

Furthermore, researchers use automated DNA sequencers for a variety of applications other than DNA sequencing, with mutation detection by far being the most common. Some of the types of mutations that are commonly screened for are single base changes, insertions and deletions. Almost half of the respondents conduct the majority of their sequencing experiments using an on-site core facility or another lab at their institution. The two major reasons for this type of resource consolidation are either the labs volume is too low to justify owning an automated sequencer or the lab is trying to reduce costs," reports Zemlo.

ABOUT BIOINFORMATICS, LLC

BioInformatics, LLC (http://www.gene2drug.com) is a market research firm located in Arlington, Virginia. BioInformatics supports marketing, sales and R&D executives in the life science, medical device and pharmaceutical industries through published research reports, custom research and consulting. BioInformatics sponsors The Science Advisory Board (http://www.scienceboard.net), an online panel of more than 12,100 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries who participate in surveys that address emerging technologies, test customer reactions to new product concepts, measure brand awareness and assess advertising effectiveness.

FOR A COMPLIMENTARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ANY REPORT PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.GENE2DRUG.COM/PUBLISHED OR CONTACT:

Alyssa Martin
BioInformatics, LLC
2111 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22201
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a.martin@gene2drug.com
http://www.gene2drug.com/

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