DESPITE BENEFITS, GENE EXPRESSION FACES HURDLES.

The analysis of gene sequence and gene expression variations allows for the detection of defective genes and polymorphisms associated with specific diseases. These techniques provide the initial answers as to whether a potential therapeutic compound merits further evaluation and testing, making it of immense use to drug discovery and development. Despite its considerable benefits, however, gene expression still faces continued hurdles.

Frost & Sullivan (http://www.healthcare.frost.com) finds that Gene Expression Markets in Europe earned revenues of US$405.6 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach US$1.9 billion in 2012.

"Within the realm of drug discovery and development, the expression of genes develop new therapeutics, identify early warning signs of disease, and even sub-classify patients based not on symptoms, but on the abnormal changes observed in their specific cells " observes Frost & Sullivan's Drug Discovery Technologies' Programme Leader, Dr. Amarpreet Dhiman. "The revolution in the drug discovery process has recently driven by the belief that proteomics will facilitate a better understanding of the basic processes of life science, and thus deliver a substantially higher number of drug targets, candidate drugs and novel therapeutics."

Promisingly, advances in understanding cancer biology, human genetics, disease pathogenesis and molecular pharmacology hold great potential for the discovery of new approaches to treat cancers.

Progress and expectation have been heightened by initiatives such as the human genome project. These are being reinforced by technology advances that permit genome-wide analysis of cancer cells and facilitate the synthesis and high throughput screening of selected of candidate compounds against defined targets.

Changes in gene expression underlie many biological phenomena. About half of gene expression research is applied in the field of cancer, while other segments are applied to cardiovascular diseases, immune and inflammatory diseases (such as AIDS and asthma), and central nervous system disorders. This can lead to the creation of new diagnostic tests and enable the field of personalised medicine.

"The collection, organization and analysis of large amounts of biological data using networks of computers and databases has resulted in a data explosion, and has created a compelling need for establishing robust infrastructures in order to make progress and streamline the drug discovery processes," cautioned Dr. Dhiman. "There are many software tools for data handling, but there is a pressing need for tools that can change data knowledge in a palatable format understood by biologists."

Cross comparison of data across platforms is required, as some laboratories may want to use their home brew microarrays in conjunction with equipment and accessories from the commercial sector. Gene expression data validation is another major impediment. Data read out obtained has to undergo sufficient biological repeat experiments to corroborate findings, as well as to secure statistical relevant information.

Microarrays, PCR and RNAi, have been gaining prominence in this microtechnology era. While there have been major scientific breakthroughs that have added great value to changing the paradigm of drug discovery, the major question remains as to whether these technologies are cost effective.

"Although there is a clear indication of the potential for drugs to reach faster to the market, their premium pricing does not justify the use of some of these technologies for routine processes," commented Dr. Dhiman. "Research has found that the industry would be willing to invest more and reap the financial rewards if their data is more reliable and consistent."

With the myriad of opportunities envisioned in the highly competitive and fragmented gene expression market, price has always been a sensitive issue with customers. Laboratory automation is likely to help promote a faster approach to the preliminary steps, which involve reagent mixing and sample preparation.

"As these processes require a lot of skilled labour and time, there is an indirect impact on the pricing of the entire gene expression products," elaborates Dr. Dhiman. "Therefore, honing the automation can help manufacturing processes to become more cost effective, thus aiding the consumers by lowering the price."

Gene Expression Markets in Europe is part of the Drug Discovery and Diagnostic Technologies Subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: Contract Research Organisations (CROs) markets in Europe, Nucleic Acid Isolation Markets in Europe and Advances in Laboratory Automation Markets in Europe. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the Gene Expression Markets in Europe (H054 - 55) then send an e-mail to Radhika Menon Theodore - Corporate Communications at [e-mail] with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information via email upon receipt of the above information.

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