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Scientific instruments drive drug research. A recent survey of Drug Discovery & Development readers revealed what types of instruments and systems are behind the wheel of drug research programs, as well as planned usage and purchases, and buyer/seller relationships.
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The respondents represented a cross section of biopharmaceutical/biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as contract research organizations, academia, and medical centers. Lab managers and staff scientists represented more than 60% of the survey participants. Those surveyed were split evenly between large companies (more than 500 employees) and those with less than 500 employees. The participants indicated that they were involved in an average of four disciplines.
What do you use?
Microscopes are the most popular and frequently used instrument, according to those surveyed, followed by spectrophotometers, HPLC, UV-Vis spectrometers, image analyzers, gas chromatographs, high-throughput screening, and UHPLC (Figure 1).
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For specialized instrument analysis, respondents more frequently turned to outsourced services for flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy, MALDI mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, ICP mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy.
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While facilities may have a variety of instruments, they do not always have the latest and greatest technology. More than half of participants ranked different types of instruments as “at or near state-of-the-art” with high-throughput screening and high-content screening leading the way (Figure 2).
Mass spectrometers, which represent a significant investment, were most frequently mentioned as lacking needed capabilities. Respondents also indicated that PCR systems, particle-size analyzers, and transmission electron microscopes were among the older instruments in the laboratory.
Buying decisions
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Users of specific instruments have three options: maintain current technology, upgrade, or outsource. Respondents reported a stronger tendency to use contract services for mass spectrometry projects (Figure 3). For the more frequently used instruments, survey participants reported plans to upgrade: UHPLC (41%), image analyzers (37%), HPLC (36%), microscopes (33%), high-throughput screening (31%), spectrophotometers (29%), and gas chromatographs (26%).
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Software provided with an instrument plays a key role in purchasing decisions. Almost two-thirds of the respondents said frequently or always plays a role in their buying decisions. Only 3% said software never influences their buying decisions.
When selecting a supplier for research instruments, respondents look first for applications specific to their research and systems with proven performance and reliability. A supplier’s financial stability ranked low in importance compared to other factors (Figure 4).
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Filed Under: Drug Discovery
