Kalorama: Growing Use of Robotics in Sample Prep a Key Trend in Medical Lab Automation
NEW YORK, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The laboratory robotics segment continues to grow as robots find applications in pharmaceutical development to help increase productivity, decrease drug development time and reduce overall the coasts associated with drug development, according to Kalorama Information. Kalorama found that the sample prep stage was the part of the process that most benefited from automation. The healthcare market research publisher's report, Lab Automation Markets, 4th Edition, analyzes the current and potential world markets for medical laboratory automation systems and equipment – both for the clinical diagnostics lab and the drug discovery and research laboratory.
Lab Automation Markets, 4th Edition (Systems [Sample Transport, Specimen Handling, Plate Readers, Storage & Retrieval, Robotics, LIMS], Key Companies, Forecasts and Trends) can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=87479&productid=8827604.
"The robot concept in drug discovery laboratories has advanced over the years and such systems are common," said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama. "Most laboratory robotic systems automate the sample preparation stage, usually the most labor-intensive step of the analysis process."
Robotic systems are expensive, but their high capital cost is justified by increasing throughput in the lab since automatic systems can operate 24 hours daily unattended, which also reduces the cost per analysis. Robotic systems also enable scientists to use their time more productively since they enable them to spend more time on evaluating data and on more innovative tasks rather than performing routine repetitive operations.
Although the application of laboratory robotics is increasing, limitations – including high capital cost, relative complexity of operation and poor connectivity between the robot and laboratory information management systems – can hinder their implementation.
Laboratory automation equipment vendors have responded to a need from drug discovery operations with a series of tools. Automated integrated robotic systems help to increase throughput while reducing tedious and expensive human intervention. Robotic systems can undertake many of the tasks that humans would usually perform. They have become smart and flexible. They can perform one operation and be easily modified to perform other tasks.
The application of robotics to life science is hardly new, but in recent years robots have become much more useful for integrating different types of technology onto a single platform. Liquid handling robotics provides the ideal platform for the automation of a broad range of routine applications, including sophisticated isolation processes. A combination of liquid handling and robotic systems is opening up the field of liquid handling automation by providing affordable solutions for even the smallest of workloads all the way up to high throughputs.
The robotics segment of the drug development laboratory automation market is continuing the trend toward integrated, flexible products that can be customized. Flexible modular robotic platforms are paving the way to future market growth.
Lab Automation Markets, 4th Edition, provides market forecasts to 2017. Market forecasts are based on an examination of current market conditions and on investigations into the development of new products by key companies. Market segments covered include:
- Sample transport systems
- Specimen and liquid handling systems
- Storage and retrieval systems
- Work stations
- Plate readers
- Robotics
- Dissolution testing
- Laboratory information management systems
This report gives insight into issues facing the industry and also reviews the nature and the direction of research and trends in automation equipment, including miniaturization, connectivity, consolidation, integration, analytical intelligence, as well as robotics.
Market data are generated into multiple year forecasts for different product segments covered in the report. The information presented in this report is the result of data gathered from company product literature and other corporate brochures and documents, as well as information found in the scientific and trade press. In addition, interviews were conducted with company executives and researchers. The report can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=87479&productid=8827604.
About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.
We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog at www.kaloramainformation.com.
Contact:
Bruce Carlson
(212) 807-2622
[email protected]
www.KaloramaInformation.com
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SOURCE Kalorama Information
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