High Throughput

Faster and smaller. That is what almost all trends in the microfluidics market are about. Faster analysis on a smaller surface. Lab workflow automation enables the merge of the combined steps of a full analytic test on one platform. This brings us to the next request: more. For if you can run one complete test on a chip, why not ten? Or a hundred? Exactly this is what high throughput screening is all about: simultaneously running multiple equal tests on one device. 

Once the analytical workflow is automated, it is not too difficult to replicate it. This way, an exponential increase in analysis capacity can be achieved. Recent developments have shown the actual need for this: COVID-19 is a poignant example of the worldwide demand for fast high throughput test capabilities.

The market forecasts also agree on this. A recently published report states to expect a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for microfluidics of 14 percent over the period 2019 to 2025. This growth was triggered by the boost demand for tests and PoC products in 2019-2020, due to Covid-19. This caused an acceleration for the entire market. After an initial shortage of tests, production and screening capacities have rapidly expanded (Source: Yole développement, 2020).

Conducting multiple assays simultaneously on one device does not only increase testing capabilities, it also increases the data output per device. Especially when it comes to quantitative testing, an enormous amount of data is available in high throughput systems. The market is finding ever better ways to store, process, and use these data. After all: the more data, the more accurate results and predictions.

At Micronit, we keep a close eye on the trends in the markets we serve. This is extremely important from a business point of view, but also inspiring! Would you like to share ideas?