1997/8 Far East MSPPSA report on DNA Amplification
149 pages, 114 graphs and tables
Published: December 3, 1998
Price: $2595
As a companion volume to the European study of DNA Amplification
instruments and reagents, PhorTech International's newest addition
to its extensive library of market research examines the DNA amplification
market in the Far East. Although this geography accounts for approximately
20% of the global population of life science researchers, it has
been left predominantly unstudied. However, with this new report,
PhorTech International breaks through the barriers to reveal some
very surprising conditions within this vital region.
Numerous North American and European studies provide the basis
upon which comparisons with the Far East market can be made. The
graph below shows the historical growth of the market for thermal
cyclers, rising consistently since the early 90's to a break in
1997.
This market increase is not due to the recent sales of instruments
with more complexity and higher price tags. Unlike the recent
rise in instrument prices measured in the Western markets, pressure
in the Far East markets has kept local prices constant. The current
amplification instrument market is worth only 10% of that for
reagents, another striking difference from Europe, due to recent
economic downturn limiting sales of new or replacement thermal
cyclers.
The majority of these dollars is in the hands of a single supplier,
who has held on to approximately half the market for the past
7 years. Their strength appears to be Pan-Asian, and accounts
for a greater percentage of the Far East market than anywhere
in Europe.
This comprehensive 149 page study, which forms part of PhorTech's
MSPPSA series, reveals many other details regarding the DNA amplification
market, including the annual consumption of thermostable enzymes
as well as the installed base of thermal cyclers in three geographic
regions of the Far East. Unit and dollar sales per year, market
sizes and growth rates, plus unit and dollar supplier shares for
both instruments and enzymes were calculated. The regions in which
supplier shares were broken down include: Japan, Oceania (Australia,
New Zealand) and the rest of Asia (China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan ROC and Thailand).
The most frequently mentioned thermal cyclers are identified by
name, along with the average prices paid for each major brand.
An analysis of the most recent state of the market demonstrates
a few smaller companies giving the leader a bit more competition
than many of the established giants had been able to do. As far
as the thermostable enzyme market, the top three suppliers are
based in each of the major geographies - North America, Europe
and Asia. This profile, both the specific suppliers, and their
relative positions, was strikingly different than what was found
in any of the Western DNA amplification studies.
A large number of demographic screens, broadened considerably
from previous surveys, are used to characterize respondents and
the nature of the amplification they performed. These include
not only the geographic distribution of users, but also segmentation
by type of organization, scientific discipline and professional
position, as well as level of experience. As expected, the bulk
of amplification work is found in organizations stressing research
and medical applications, such as academia and hospitals. More
than 300 respondents to this survey were not only experienced
(with well over 1000 years of experience among them), but also
held high level laboratory positions, as seen in the following
pie chart.
A comprehensive section on amplification methodologies
includes an analysis of throughput, applications, the degree to
which various enzymes and procedures are used, and the preferences
for kits vs reagents. Quantitative responses are obtained for
typical reaction volumes, magnesium concentration and type of
reaction vessel. Similar to their Western counterparts, Far Eastern
researchers were running predominantly PCR-based applications,
such as RT-PCR and cloning PCR..
A difference lies in their choice and degree of usage
of the most common trademarked enzymes, as seen in the previous
horizontal bar chart. The preference for Taq-based enzymes is
significantly lower, while the Takara enzymes appear much farther
up the list than the corresponding results from Western geographies
The reasons for choosing the most recent thermal cycler purchased
as well as satisfaction with that decision are measured, with
the appearance of many new suppliers garnering both praise and
condemnation. Leading companies are then ranked in six key areas
of customer satisfaction, with surprising results for companies
previously thought to be strong players. These same analyses are
performed for the crowded field of suppliers of thermostable enzymes.
Far Eastern researchers seem to be more pleased with the performance
of their enzymes than with their instruments, possibly due to
the heightened competition in that market, but show dissatisfaction
with several U.S. and European suppliers in numerous customer
satisfaction criteria.
The suggestions on existing products were incredibly specific
and technically detailed, and range far beyond typical price concerns.
Both instruments and enzymes were given fair doses of suggestions
by those whose work depends on their reliable functioning.
This report is undoubtedly the most complete analysis of the amplification
market in the Far East, an uncharacterized, but highly lucrative
market. Over 100 graphs and tables provide an in-depth look at
this highly complex market where researchers clearly differentiate
themselves from their Western colleagues. The ability to compare
these amplifications users' historical consumption, current needs,
and future expectations with their U.S. and European counterparts
should be considered absolutely essential for anyone ready to
conquer the East.
See detailed table of contents for this report in Adobe Acrobat
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