HTS laboratories are essential contributors to drug discovery, participating extensively in assay development and lead optimization as well as in primary and secondary screening of compound libraries. Effective screening strategies adopted by HTS laboratories include the use of more complex biological systems: more membrane-bound targets, more cell-based high content assays, and increased use of stem cells and primary cells.Fifty-two directors from HTS laboratories and thirty-three executives from suppliers of HTS products and services in Asia, Europe and North America were extensively interviewed in a recently published study, High Throughput Screening 2010: Effective Strategies, Innovative Technologies, and Use of Better Assays, described technology and strategies that are evolving to increase success in drug discovery.

HTS laboratories are exploring novel targets and strategically expanding compound libraries to include more diverse backbones, more target-focused compounds, natural products, and biologics. The directors at HTS laboratories also plan to employ improved technologies, including further adoption of HCS and label-free technologies and more accurate liquid handling dispensers.

HTS laboratories funded through NIH or other private foundations have an increased presence, as more universities and institutes initiate translational research. This new report includes analysis and data from interviews with HTS laboratory directors at these centers to better understand their impact on the high throughput screening market.

William Downey, President of HighTech Business Decisions, explains, “High throughput screening is established as a critical activity in drug discovery. In the past two years, challenging targets have yielded to advances in assay and detection technologies. High content and label-free assays and new interest in stem cells as promising disease models are leading the way to improved drug discovery.”

The findings and analysis are in this 1050–page industry report, with over 300 charts and tables, High Throughput Screening 2010: Effective Strategies, Innovative Technologies, and Use of Better Assays. This new study was published in February 2010, and it is available from HighTech Business Decisions.

About HighTech Business Decisions

HighTech Business Decisions is a market research and consulting firm specializing in the areas of pharmaceutical drug discovery and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. The company has been producing in-depth public reports and customized benchmarking, market analysis and customer loyalty programs for over ten years. Visit us at www.hightechdecisions.com

source: businesswire.com