Lab Automation In Protein Engineering Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The lab automation in protein engineering market is expected to register a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast period (2022-2027). Protein engineering automation can aid scientists in deciphering and solving the mysteries of protein malfunction, such as misfolding, aggregation, and unusual movement. As a result, more effective medication discovery will be possible. One of the primary drivers for automation in the protein engineering industry is the fast-expanding demand for protein medications over non-protein pharmaceuticals and the increased prevalence of lifestyle disorders.

Key Highlights

• Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is rising in emerging economies' rural communities. It refers to a collection of illnesses that includes kwashiorkor, marasmus, and marasmus-kwashiorkor transitional phases. As a result, the incidence of kwashiorkor varies by region. It is quite uncommon in the United States. Central America, Southeast Asia, Congo, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and South Africa are impacted. As a result, the rising frequency of protein-deficiency illnesses boosts total market demand.
• The healthcare business has been affected by a growing number of government efforts, such as sponsoring R&D for protein engineering and awareness programs. As a result, the government is funding several research initiatives ahead of time. For example, Protein Technologies Ltd (PTL) obtained money from the UK government's Technology Strategy Board (now Innovate UK) for their ground-breaking protein engineering research.
• Protein engineering also has a lot of potential in the agrochemical business because it can lead to better-functioning enzymes, boosting crop yields, or making biofuel production easier. It is also anticipated to play a vital role as a technique for achieving the higher agricultural yields required to satisfy future needs.
• Since the outbreak of COVID-19, labs have been turning their premises and resources into COVID-19 testing facilities, increasing automation equipment use. The University of Washington's laboratories were the first to do so. The statement came after the Broad Institute announced that its clinical processing lab would be converted into a large-scale COVID-19 testing facility.

Lab Automation in Protein Engineering Market Trends

Automated Liquid Handler Equipment Accounted for the Largest Market Share

• Liquid handlers are usually employed in biochemical and chemical laboratories. Automated liquid handling robots help in dispensing samples and other liquids in laboratories. Automated liquid handlers minimize run times and maximize accuracy. Moreover, liquid handlers are capable of operating across a wide range of volumes, extending into nanolitres, thus proving their usefulness in dispensing operations.
• Leading companies have set the benchmark for the development of automated liquid handlers and are constantly investing in developing premium products to increase productivity effectively. The evolution of the liquid handlers, capable of handling minute volumes of liquids, has contributed to the rapid development of modular lab automation systems in the market.
• According to the Robotic Industries Association, the life science sector has the third-highest growth in industrial robots, in terms of automated liquid handlers, automated plate handlers, robotic arms, and others, to meet the demand.
• According to Parker, one of the trends in life science robotics is fluidics getting simpler in robotic analyzers. This trend arose because clinical laboratories and hospitals cannot afford an instrument to go down when critical samples are involved. Certain robotic systems that used to have 50 needles on the end of a dispensing unit and lots of tubing increasingly use special valve manifolds that eliminate the need for tubing and result in less chance for failure. The manifolds basically minimize the chance of leakage.

North America Occupied the Largest Market Share

• North America has been a pioneer in clinical research for years. This region is home to major pharmaceutical companies, like Pfizer, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, J&J, and Novartis. The part also has the highest concentration of contract research organizations (CROs). Some of the significant CROs are Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, IQVIA, Syneos Health, and Parexel International Corp. Owing to the presence of all the major players in the industry and stringent FDA regulations, the market is very competitive in the region. To gain an advantage over competitors, the genomics research organizations in the area are increasingly adopting robotics and automation in labs.
• The genomic industry, especially in the United States, is still growing and is expected to increase over the coming years. The availability of new genome sequencing technologies, well-established healthcare infrastructure, and the increasing geriatric population are significant contributing factors to revenue growth. In the United States, the need to accommodate growth and the drive to boost efficiency are priming blood centers to acquire fully automated walkaway systems to perform types and screens or test specimens for infectious diseases.
• Many companies are involved in innovation due to their extensive R&D capabilities. For instance, in August 2021, Eli Lilly and Company, in collaboration with Ziath, will open the completely automated Lilly Life Sciences Studio lab in San Diego. Individual areas of automation can encompass purification, protein engineering, compound synthesis, biological testing, and analysis in the lab, which is equipped with a Magnamotion track.

Lab Automation in Protein Engineering Market Competitor Analysis

The lab automation in protein engineering market is moderately competitive, owing to many small and big players exporting products to many countries. The key strategies adopted by the major players are technological advancement in development, partnerships, and merger and acquisition. Some of the major players in the market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Siemens Healthineers, Danaher Corporation, and PerkinElmer. Some of the recent developments in the market are:

• November 2021 - PKeye Workflow Monitor, a cloud-based tool from PerkinElmer, allowed lab employees to manage and monitor PerkinElmer instruments and processes in real-time remotely. The PKeye Workflow Monitor provides access to and visibility into laboratory processes for scientists and researchers.
• March 2021 - Agilent Technologies Inc. announced the launch of MassHunter BioConfirm, MassHunter Networked Workstation 11.0 and MassHunter Workstation Plus 11.0. In addition, Agilent also introduced VWorks 14.0 Plus, which adds compliance-enabling capabilities to the company's automated liquid handling platform.

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