Lab-On-A-Chip Finally Catching on in MEMS Field Reports In-Stat

After two decades of development, and despite increased competition from alternative technologies and from more companies developing lab-on-a-chip products, lab-on-a-chip technology finally appears to be making its mark within the MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) industry, according to In-Stat ( http://www.in-stat.com ). Revenues of lab-on-a-chip devices are forecast to increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.2% through 2008, with unit shipments nearly quadrupling over the same period.

“Key applications include life science research (most notably genomics, pharmacogenomics, and proteomics), as well as point-of-care diagnostics,” said Marlene Bourne, In-Stat analyst. “The real application to keep an eye on, however, is the emerging field of clinical diagnostics. Here, lab-on-a-chip will allow physicians to diagnose infectious diseases, or even certain cancers, much more rapidly than they’re able to now.”

The high-tech market research firm has also found that:

— Over the next five years, point-of-care applications will continue to dominate total unit shipments of lab-on-a-chip devices, although life science research applications will be the primary driver behind revenue growth.

— Lab-on-a-chip devices have leveraged the field of microfluidics, and the cost advantages of micromachining, allowing for the creation of complex arrays of channels, pumps, and valves that have been etched into plastic, glass, and/or silicon chips.

— Less than a dozen companies shipped lab-on-a-chip product for revenue in 2003 — with those companies evenly split between those who are focused on point-of-care diagnostics and those who are focused on life science research as end-use markets.

The report, “Market Snapshot: Lab-on-a-Chip” (#IN0401419EA), takes a look at the continually evolving lab-on-a-chip sector, including the companies developing these devices and the markets they’re pursuing. Forecasts of both unit shipments and revenues are provided through 2008. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Scatalogue.asp?id=47  or contact Tina Sheltra at 480-609-4531 or tina.sheltra@reedbusiness.com . The report price is $2,995.

About In-Stat

In-Stat ( http://www.in-stat.com ) offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end users.

In-Stat is part of the Reed Electronics Group, a division of Reed Elsevier ( www.reedelsevier.com ), a world-leading publisher and information provider. With more than 38,000 employees worldwide, Reed Elsevier operates in the science & medical, legal, education and business-to-business industry sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet.