Transfection Supplies Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg in the Gene-Delivery Market
A New Report From Biocompare, Inc. Finds Invitrogen, Roche, and Qiagen Have the Transfection Market Under Wraps
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 29, 2007 -- A new report from Biocompare, Inc., "Transfection: Understanding Customer Needs," based on a survey of over 370 researchers, presents that 96% currently perform or plan to perform in vitro transfection and nearly 50% currently perform or plan to perform in vivo transfection. The most popular applications for transfection experiments are functional studies (69%), generation of stable cell lines (53%), and gene silencing (52%).
While more than half of researchers who utilize cell-based methods perform transfection, that number will certainly rise with the increased use of novel nucleic acid-based approaches for the modification of cellular function. The primary hurdle to overcome, however, is the current limitations of the physical and chemical cellular delivery methods available. Many are harmful to cells, precluding in vivo use, while others have low transfection rates that would be unsuitable for use clinically. Once this challenge is met, however, the transfection/gene delivery market will explode. With the inclusion of RNA interference as the most widely used gene-silencing technique, the market is expected to top $850 million world-wide by 2012.
When asked about specific vendors that come to mind when thinking of transfection reagents, Invitrogen, Roche Applied Science, and Qiagen lead all other suppliers. This result is consistent with the finding that approximately 70% of survey responders have tested or currently use Lipofectamine™ transfection reagents, which are Invitrogen products. The majority of survey participants use epithelial-like and fibroblast-like cells in their transfection experiments, supplied by Invitrogen, Roche Applied Science, and Qiagen, again supporting the earlier results. These three vendors also lead all other suppliers in preferred transfection reagent brands and specific products, with Qiagen reporting a 13% growth in its line of consumables, including a vast array of transfection reagents.
While it is difficult to define, at present, what the market share for transfection reagents and equipment actually is, most companies incorporate these products into the broader category of consumables. Including cells and tissue culture products, as well as nucleic acid reagents and supplies, this market expands tremendously. Most companies report generalized revenue increases in genomic reagents and instruments, ranging from 9-22% among the larger vendors.
High transfection efficiency for transient transfection was deemed the most important reagent feature for research, followed by low cytotoxicity, and effectiveness for difficult to transfect cells. The latter is a major limitation of the current transfection reagents for gene delivery and an on-going source of scientific frustration -- leading many to question whether predictions of double-digit revenue growth in the area are realistic. Until safe and reliable delivery tools are available for use therapeutically, the answer to this important question remains unanswered.
This report, "2007 Transfection Report," available from Biocompare, Inc., explores researchers' purchasing plans and research approaches in the area of transfection, consisting of nucleic acid-based reagents, supplies, and applications. More information about this and other reports available from Biocompare can be found at: https://www.biocompare.com/research.
About Biocompare
Biocompare, Inc. (http://www.biocompare.com), headquartered in South San Francisco, California, is a global media company informing and connecting the buyers, users, and sellers of life science products. By combining an in-depth knowledge of life science products and new technologies with the power of the internet, Biocompare offers a dynamic, relevant, and innovative media-based marketplace for life science information.