Report Sees Rosy Outlook for Chromatography Data Systems

Data systems designed to evaluate and store laboratory chromatography information garnered worldwide revenues of $416 million in 1999, after growing at an average annual rate of 12.2% from a 1994 level of $234 million. Moreover, sales in this segment during the 1999 to 2004 period are likely to expand at 11.6% a year. These are some of the conclusions of a recent report by the market research firm Strategic Directions International Inc. (Los Angeles).

The report, "The Global Chromatography Data Systems Market," notes that this growth is being driven by the recent increases in R&D budgets, especially in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as by the availability of powerful, affordable computers.

A key issue facing end-users of chromatography data systems in the U.S., the report finds, is the recent enactment of Title 21 CFR Part 11, a regulation that establishes criteria for acceptance by the Food and Drug Administration, under certain circumstances, of electronic records and electronic signatures. This is an important development for many end-users, the study adds, because the use of electronic records is necessary to save valuable time and resources; having software that facilitates compliance with the regulations is in many cases a requirement rather than an option. Another important topic to end-users, the report says, is the ability to connect a CDS to a laboratory information management system (LIMS), database, or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. These types of connections streamline processes in the laboratory and in the company as a whole.

According to Strategic Directions International, a survey conducted in the course of preparing this report showed that end users of chromatography data systems regard long-term commitment and telephone support as the most important criteria for evaluating their suppliers.

The survey ranked N/A's (Beverly, MA) Atlas and MultiChrom chromatography data systems as the top two products in the fast-growing pharmaceutical segment of the market. Both systems received high marks for product performance and supplier reputation, as well as for long-term commitment to the CDS market. The pharmaceutical market spends an estimated $111 million each year on chromatography data systems.

The 190-page report, which contains 118 tables and 100 figures, is available for $3,795.

For more information: Strategic Directions International Inc., 6242 Westchester Pkwy., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045-4820. Tel: 310-641-4982. Fax: 310-641-8851. Email: sdi@strategic-directions.com.

Edited by Gordon Graff