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Genomic sequencing has come a LONG way from using a ruler to read the sequence of bands of a gel, and there is a growing need to be able to extract DNA in high throughput and fast methods to facilitate large scale genomic experiments and increasingly in diagnostic procedures.
Now is a critical time for IVD DNA extraction kit manufacturers. In the UK, genomic screening in the NHS is limited, there is a growing demand, but framed against a government battling with spending.
For some experiments, size exclusion chromatography can be a cheaper option, and for a small number of samples can be faster than using a magnetic bead clean up, however for routine library clean up that can be automated, and can easily parallel process 96 samples, the use of SPRI magnetic beads offers great savings in time, and with the right bead selection can also combine clean up with concentration and DNA size selection. Automated sample processing for healthcare will be essential!
The current time offers an opportunity for an IVD manufacturer to win a share of the market, if they can offer a good or better DNA extraction kit at a price that facilitates wider adoption in the health care setting. With the cost of sequencing dropping significantly, are sample preparation costs now what is holding back routine sequencing?
Early adoption of technology can be hard to change. Tried, tested and proven methods need much investment in validation to oust them from routine use. Even then, users often show reluctance to change unless there is a proven technical advantage, or a significant cost reduction with a proven maintenance of performance.
It is difficult for a kit manufacturer to compete on price if the cost of the raw materials is essentially fixed across the market! There is a brand of SPRI beads that has a very strong presence on the market and likely accounts for a good proportion of the cost of any kit made containing SPRI beads. This market-wide reliance not only limits lowering the cost of a kit, but also poses a risk in the event of any supply chain issues.
SPRI beads are not difficult to assemble; a good quality magnetic bead coated with a PEG solution is not technically challenging to produce, and once made can be stored at 4°C for some time. The costs of these raw materials, even with a little R & D and manufacturing time, could enable kit manufacturers to offer a lower cost DNA extraction kit and offers further benefits- the opportunity to fine tune the formulation for best performance and decreased reliance on a single manufacturer mitigating potential supply issues.
Our trusted partners at 2BScientific can work with a laboratory to help create a custom formulation that can either be made in house by the kit manufacturer, or can be contracted to the bead supplier to manufacture at scale, in litres, without requiring further investment in time or equipment, ready for internal QC testing.
Contact us to start a discussion on your technical requirements and potential price points.
