Multi-Mode Microplate Reader

Trends
2009

March 2009
www.htstec.com
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© HTStec 2009 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Trends 2009 FOC Page 1

Executive Summary

• This market report summarizes the results of HTStec’s second global web-based benchmarking survey on
multi-mode microplate readers carried out in March 2009.
• The study was initiated by HTStec to meet the needs of the survey sponsors and was part of HTStec’s
ongoing tracking of emerging life science technologies and marketplaces.
• The main objectives were to comprehensively document current practices, preferences and trends in the
use of multi-mode microplate readers (MMPR) and to understand future user requirements.
• The study, although mainly targeted at the academic/research market segment, also obtained feedback
from Pharma and Biotech, primarily in North America and Europe.
• For the purposes of this report MMPR does NOT include plate imagers such as the LEADseeker, ViewLux,
Evotec::plate vision, etc. or Fluorometric Plate Readers such as FLIPR or Hamamatsu FDSS.
• The survey looked at the following aspects of MMPR as practiced today (2009) and in some cases as
predicted for the future (2011): readers most used today; throughput requirements; plate formats used;
main application areas; use of multiplexed assay technology; factors influencing a purchasing decision;
use of different detection modalities; use of TR-FRET reagents; main target types or classes and preferred
reagent vendor; type of reader mainly used; reader type most suited to drug discovery or life science
areas; reasons why a particular reader type is the best option; monochromator limitations; interest in an
on board multi-channel dispenser; areas where software needs to be improved most; software tools
preferred for processing raw data; reasons for changing reader operating conditions; budget allocated to
buy new readers; interest in purchasing new readers; vendor service and support experience;
requirements for new reader functions; & most effective way to communicate product info to customers.
• The main questionnaire consisted of 29 multi-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions. In addition,
there were 5 questions related solely to the administration and demographics of survey.
• The survey collected 73 responses (46 complete and 27 partially filled out) from 67 different
organizations.
• Survey responses were geographically split: 48% North America, 40% Europe, & 12% Asia (Exc. Japan).
• Respondents came from 37 University/Research Institute/Government Lab; 15 Large Pharma; 12
Biotechnology Company; 5 Medium-Small Pharma; 2 Other; 1 Hospital/Clinical Research; and 1
Biochemical/Chemical Manufacturer.
• Respondents main group activity was: 30% Life Science Research; 17% Primary Screening (HTS); 15% Assay
Development; 15% A Combination of Drug Discovery Areas; 11% Basic Academic Research; 7% Other
Activity; 2% Therapeutic Areas; 1% Secondary Screening; 1% Hits-To-Leads; and 1% Compound Profiling.
• Survey respondents had the following job roles or positions which were in descending order: 14 Lab
Manager; 12 Senior Scientist/ Researcher; 10 Professor; 9 Section/ Group Leader; 6 Department Head; 5
Director; 4 Other; 3 Principal Investigator; and 2 Post-Doc.
• Survey results were expressed as an average of all survey respondents. In addition, the data was fully
reanalyzed after sub-division into the following 5 survey groups: 1) Large Pharma; 2) Small-Medium
Pharma & All Biotech; 3) University, Research Institute or Government Lab; 4) Europe; & 5) North America.
• PerkinElmer was the MMPR manufacturer and Envision the MMPR brand most used by respondents.
• The median sample throughput required in 2009 on respondents MMPR was 0.1K to 1K wells/day.
• The main microplate format read on respondents MMPR was the 96-well plate.
• The main application area investigated using respondents MMPR was small molecule primary screening.
• The median use of multiplexed assay technology in 2009 on respondents MMPR was none (0% of assays).
• Sensitivity/limit of detection and quality of service and support were rated as the most important factors
that will influence a decision to purchase a new MMPR.
• Some hardware or software limitations that have prevented respondents from running a desired assay on
their current MMPR are documented.
• Current (2009) use of MMPR detection modalities was greatest for absorbance (28% use), followed by
fluorescence intensity (FI) (24% use), glow luminescence (12% use) and then time resolved FRET (TR-FRET
or HTRF) (9% use). In the future (2011) the greatest increases in use of modalities are expected for TR-
FRET, AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA, FRET and label-free.

© HTStec 2009 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Trends 2009 FOC Page 2

• Of the different commercial TR-FRET reagent offerings greatest use was made of Cisbio HTRF.
• The target type or class most investigated using respondents MMPR was enzyme assays, with the assay
reagents sourced mainly by homebrew.
• The current (2009) lab makeup of respondents MMPR types was 67% filter-based, 24% monochromator
only and 9% hybrid readers (with both filters and monochromators).
• The preferred MMPR type most suited to drug discovery and life science areas were: filter-based only for
primary screening (HTS), secondary screening and immunoassays; mainly filter-based for compound
profiling; and 50:50 filter-based:monochromator (hybrid readers) preferred for all other areas.
• Filter-based MMPR were most favoured on the basis of capital (Capex) costs, speed (fast read times per
plate) and sensitivity/limit of detection; whereas wavelength scanning capability, ability to run wide
diversity of assay types (i.e. flexibility) and ability to differentiate a fluor with a small stokes shift most
favoured the choice of monochromators.
• The areas were respondents felt most limited in their use of a monochromator reader were
sensitivity/dynamic range - FI/FRET bottom measurement; wavelength switching speed; lack of
AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA; and reader control functions.
• The majority were interested in having an onboard 8 or 16-channel dispenser within a MMPR.
• Reader control (ability to run complex processes) was rated as the area where current MMPR software
needs most improvement.
• The majority preferred to process the raw data from their MMPR using common office software.
• 30% have changed their MMPR operating conditions to facilitate greater reader control.
• Opinion on HTS and assay technologies migrating to Academic labs, and the effect of the current
economic situation on their budget and purchasing decisions/preferences was obtained.
• Details of how respondents rated their vendor service and support experience for 73 MMPR they currently
have or use are documented. PerkinElmer and BioTek overall received the highest ratings.
• PerkinElmer was MMPR manufacturer/vendor most associated with nearly all the preferred
characteristics/attributes respondents ranked, apart value for money where BioTek was ranked first
choice; responsive to customer needs where PerkinElmer and BMG were equal first choice; and software
tools for data analysis where no company met expectations.
• From a long list of possible functionalities/applications that could be added to a new MMPR greatest
requirement was to have the option of using either monochromators or filters in the same reader.
• Colleague recommendation was rated the most important sources of information when purchasing a new
MMPR.
• An on-site demonstration was rated the most important information or material that supports a new
MMPR purchasing decision.
• Email was ranked the preferred way to receive information about a new MMPR development.
• Respondent’s feedback on their unmet needs with existing multi-mode plate readers was documented.
• The survey identified 41 MMPR purchases planned over the next 3 years with 34% of respondents
planning to purchase a new reader. Tecan was the most popular MMPR vendor mentioned in these
purchasing plans, followed by PerkinElmer, ThermoFisher, and then BioTek.
• The main reasons given for purchasing a new MMPR was to access a new assay or technology.
• The median target price range for these planned MMPR purchases was $35K-$65K.
• The majority of MMPR purchase plans were for hybrid or filter-based multi-mode readers.
• The median budget allocated for the purchase of a MMPR in 2009 was $75K-$100K per lab. With 1.4
systems to be purchased/lab. Estimates for the growth of this reader budget in 2010 & 2011 were made.
• A bottom up model was developed to estimate the global market for MMPR in the academic/research
segment. This market was estimated to be around $33M in 2009 with sales of at least 925 units per year.
This market was split 60% filter-based readers, 28% monochromator only readers and 12% hybrid readers.
• Based on MMPR used today by survey respondents PerkinElmer has the greatest share (30%), followed by
MDS (22%), then Tecan (19%), BMG (13%) and BioTek (5%). All other vendors have less than 5% share.
• The full report provides the data, details of the breakdown of the responses to each question and the
estimates for the future (2011). It also highlights some interesting differences between the survey groups.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Survey Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Main Group Activity & Response to Survey ................................................................................................................................... 6
Survey Respondents Geographic Origin ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Survey Respondents Organisational Origin .................................................................................................................................. 8
Survey Respondents Main Group Activity ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Survey Respondents Job Role ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Manufacturer or Brand of Reader Used By Respondents (1) ....................................................................................................... 11
Manufacturer or Brand of Reader Used By Respondents (2) ....................................................................................................... 12
Reader - Sample Throughput Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 13
Reader - Main Microplate Formats Used .................................................................................................................................... 14
Reader – Main Application Area of Use....................................................................................................................................... 15
Reader – Use of Multiplexed Assay Technology ......................................................................................................................... 16
Factors Influencing Decision to Purchase a New Reader (1) ....................................................................................................... 17
Factors Influencing Decision to Purchase a New Reader (2) ....................................................................................................... 18
Hardware or Software Limitations That Have Prevented Running a Desired Assay on Their Current Multi-Mode Plate Reader .. 19
Current Use of Different Reader Detection Modalities ................................................................................................................ 20
Future Use of Different Reader Detection Modalities.................................................................................................................. 21
Expected Future Change in Different Reader Detection Modalities ............................................................................................ 22
Use of Different Commercial TR-FRET Reagent Offerings .......................................................................................................... 23
Readers - Main Target Types or Classes Investigated ................................................................................................................ 24
Preferred Assay Reagent Vendor for Main Target/Classes Investigated ..................................................................................... 25
Summary of Survey Findings (1) ................................................................................................................................................. 26
Existing & Predicted Makeup of Readers in Respondents Lab .................................................................................................... 28
Type of Readers Used in Drug Discovery & Life Science Areas ................................................................................................... 29
Which Type of Reader is the Best Option? .................................................................................................................................. 30
Areas Where Respondents Have Felt Limited with a Monochromator ......................................................................................... 31
Would an On-Board Multi-Channel Dispenser be Advantageous? .............................................................................................. 32
Areas Where Reader Software Needs to be Improved ................................................................................................................. 33
Software Tools Preferred for Processing Microplate Reader Raw Data........................................................................................ 34
Users Changes Made to Reader Operating Conditions ............................................................................................................... 35
Opinion of HTS & Assay Technologies Moving To Academic Labs.............................................................................................. 36
Opinion on Current Economic Situation ..................................................................................................................................... 37
Respondents Rating of Service & Support by Reader Vendors .................................................................................................... 38
Reader Vendor Most Associated with Desirable Characteristics ................................................................................................. 39
Requirements for Additional Functionalities on a Reader (1) ..................................................................................................... 40
Requirements for Additional Functionalities on a Reader (2) ..................................................................................................... 41
Summary of Survey Findings (2) ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Sources of Info When Purchasing a New Reader ......................................................................................................................... 44
Info That Supports a Reader Purchasing Decision ...................................................................................................................... 45
Preferred Way to Receive Info on a New Reader ......................................................................................................................... 46
Respondent Feedback on Unmet Needs of Existing Readers ...................................................................................................... 46
Respondent Plans to Purchase New Readers over Coming Years (1) .......................................................................................... 47
Respondent Plans to Purchase New Readers over Coming Years (2) .......................................................................................... 48
Respondent Plans to Purchase New Readers over Coming Years (3) .......................................................................................... 49
Respondent Plans to Purchase New Readers over Coming Years (4) .......................................................................................... 50
2009 Budget Allocated for the Purchase of New Readers ........................................................................................................... 51
Expected Change in Reader Budget over Coming Years ............................................................................................................. 51
Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Market Estimate – Academic Segment ....................................................................................... 52
Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Vendor Market Share ................................................................................................................. 53
Summary of Survey Findings (3) ................................................................................................................................................. 54

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General Information on HTStec and HTStec’s Trends Market Reports

• HTStec Limited an independent market research consultancy founded in September 2003 whose focus is
on assisting clients delivering novel enabling platform technologies (liquid handling, laboratory
automation, detection instrumentation and assay reagent technologies) to drug discovery and the life
sciences. Over the past 5 years HTStec has published 42 market reports mainly on drug discovery
technologies and authored 27 review articles in Drug Discovery World.
• HTStec’s Trends reports owe their origins to the need by developers and vendors of new enabling
technologies in drug discovery to get up-to-date relevant market metrics on which to base informed
business decisions.
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misunderstood by broader market studies.
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Science Tool Provider ensures the industry relevance of the market research collected.
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Biotechs, although increasingly University and Research Institute labs are also being researched.
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readers can apply their own factors and easily make alternative estimates if they prefer or know better.
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companies is removed, data is pooled to get an industry average and the anonymity of all respondents
fully preserved and guaranteed.
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technologies in drug discovery.
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© HTStec 2009 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Trends 2009 FOC Page 5