Summary
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As the engine that fuels the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-one of the most important inventions in molecular biology-Taq DNA polymerase has transformed how life science research is conducted. This powerful technique for DNA amplification relies on the amazing processivity of DNA polymerase I enzymes from the bacterium, Thermus aquaticus (Taq DNA polymerase). Because many of its enzymes-including Taq DNA polymerase-are thermostable, it thrives in blistering hot environments. The thermostability of Taq DNA polymerase is the critical feature that facilitated the development of PCR and insured its commercial success.
Since March 28, 2005, researchers no longer need a license to practice the basic PCR amplification process, which was covered by U.S. Patents 4,683,195, 4,683,202 and 4,965,188. This much-anticipated opportunity has opened the door for an influx of suppliers hoping to provide Taq DNA polymerase (without the constraints of a license) to scientists for this specific application. Once Taq DNA polymerase has been incorporated into a scientist's toolbox, it likely remains there for many years, if not for their entire research career. In fact, 33% of respondents have been using Taq polymerase for more than 10 years in their research. Suppliers hoping to secure market share will find The Taq Wars: Competitive Intelligence on How to Survive, a new report produced by BioInformatics, LLC, an indispensable guide to successfully selling this commodity product.
Based on a 28-question survey of researchers who use Taq DNA Polymerase, the report examines what motivates scientists to purchase Taq DNA polymerase from one supplier over another and whether these decisions are influenced by market segment, job position and the length of time scientists have been using the enzyme. It provides insights into whether access to less expensive Taq DNA polymerase will change scientists' purchasing preferences. The report also presents a detailed analysis of price sensitivity and elasticity in regard to the demand for Taq DNA polymerase in three different market segments: industrial, government and academia. By examining the relationship between price and performance, it offers a comprehensive assessment of market expectations, which will allow suppliers to retain their current customer base and acquire new customers.
The report also profiles the top suppliers of Taq DNA Polymerase and what product attributes contribute to their brand's success. It provides critical information as to what factors place suppliers at risk for losing customers to their competitors. By understanding how their products are used, suppliers can better position Taq DNA polymerase to meet their customers' needs. For example, academic scientists spend a greater percentage of their time using Taq DNA polymerase for classic end-point PCR than industrial of governmental scientists. In contrast, industrial scientists spend an increased percentage of their time using Taq DNA polymerase for real-time PCR and sequencing than academic scientists. By examining current and future enzyme consumption rates, the report provides insights into which market segments have the greatest profit potential.
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Content
- Section 1. Analysis and Interpretation of Survey Results
- 1-1 Executive Summary
- 1-2 Study Objectives and Significant Findings
- 1-3 Taq DNA Polymerase Usage
- 1-5 Current Taq DNA Polymerase Consumption Rates
- 1-6 Future Taq DNA Polymerase Consumption Rates
- 1-8 Leading Suppliers of Taq DNA Polymerase
- 1-9 Factors Influencing Selection of Top Suppliers of Taq DNA Polymerase
- 1-11 Taq DNA Polymerase Brand Satisfaction
- 1-13 Impact of Taq DNA Polymerase Patent Expirations
- 1-15 Factors Considered When Switching Brands of Taq DNA Polymerase
- 1-16 Taq DNA Polymerase Brand Strength
- 1-19 Taq DNA Polymerase Pricing
- 1-22 Conclusion
- Section 2. Study Methodology and Demographics
- 2-1 Methodology
- 2-6 Definition of Terms
- 2-7 Demographics
- 2-8 Questionnaire
- Section 3. Presentation of Survey Data
- Taq DNA Polymerase Usage
- 3-1 Categories of techniques performed using Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-2 Percent of usage associated with each technique
- 3-3 Amount of Taq DNA polymerase used per week
- 3-4 Expected change in amount of Taq used
- 3-6 Brands of Taq DNA polymerase used and primary brand used
- 3-10 Relative importance of factors related to brand decision
- 3-11 Length of time using primary brand of Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-12 Recent changes of primary brand
- 3-16 Major reason for changing primary brand
- 3-18 Brand respondents would switch to if changing primary supplier
- 3-20 Price paid per unit for Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-21 Expected change in number of reactions if price were 20% lower
- 3-23 Level of satisfaction with supplier and product
- 3-27 Breakdown of types of enzymes used
- 3-28 Satisfaction with specific features of primary brand of Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-30 Overall satisfaction with primary brand
- 3-31 Brand/supplier loyalty
- 3-32 Awareness of change in patent status in the United States for PCR
- 3-33 Likelihood of changing from primary brand because of the change in patent status
- Setting the Price
- 3-34 Price point that is so cheap that quality would be doubted
- 3-35 Price point at which Taq DNA polymerase would be a great value for the money
- 3-36 Price point at which Taq DNA polymerase is expensive but worth considering
- 3-38 Price point at which Taq DNA polymerase would be too expensive to buy
- About You
- 3-40 Number of years using Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-41 Type of work performed using Taq DNA polymerase
- 3-43 Role in selecting reagents/enzymes used in the lab
- Demographics
- Section 4. Appendices
- 4-1 Insights and Perspectives
- 4-10 Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data
- 4-24 Other Recent Publications
- 4-26 About BioInformatics
- 4-27 Our Valued Clients
- Methodology
- 620 scientists who currently use Taq DNA polymerase completed a 28-question survey conducted by BioInformatics, LLC (Arlington, Virginia, USA) between October 24 and November 3, 2005.
- The electronic questionnaire was fielded to registered members of The Science Advisory Board. BioInformatics sponsors The Science Advisory Board, an online community of more than 27,000 scientists, physicians and healthcare professionals from around the world. The Science Advisory Board is divided into two panels (Research and Clinical) and "convenes" regularly via the World Wide Web (www.scienceboard.net) to voice their opinions on a wide variety of issues relating to biomedical research and clinical technologies. These experts-representing all aspects of the life sciences and medicine-have agreed to make themselves available to participate in our online research activities. The Science Advisory Board members who participated in this study were drawn from the Board's Research Panel.
- Based on their responses to Question 5, respondents were asked Questions 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16 with regard to the primary supplier they named.
- Objectives
- The major objectives of this report are as follows:
- Identify the factor(s) that influence a customer's decision to purchase one brand of Taq DNA Polymerase over another
- Determine the frequency/likelihood for brand switching
- Assess price sensitivity and price elasticity
- Understand the role of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty in the purchasing decision
- Reveal market-specific differences in purchasing behavior and preferred suppliers
- Demographics
- Market Segment
- Respondents=620
- Academic - 19 - 31%
- Government - 130 - 21%
- Hospital or University Medical Center - 129 - 21%
- Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology - 123 - 20%
- Private Research - 25 - 4%
- Commercial Testing Lab - 8 - 1%
- Contract Research - 6 - 1%
- Medical Device/Diagnostics - 4 - 1%
- Job Position
- Respondents=620
- Staff Scientist - 172 - 28%
- Post Doctoral Fellow - 129 - 21%
- Principal Investigator - 88 - 14%
- Lab Director/Supervisor/Coordinator - 62 - 10%
- Graduate Student/Research Assistant - 56 - 9%
- Laboratory Technician - 55 - 9%
- Professor/Teacher - 38 - 6%
- Other - 7 - 1%
- Department Head - 4 - 1%
- Production/Manufacturing - 3 - <1%
- IS Manager/Specialist - 2 - <1%
- Physician - 2 - <1%
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control - 2 - <1%
- Area(s) of Research*
- Respondents=620
- Molecular Biology - 552 - 89%
- Cell Biology - 367 - 59%
- Biochemistry - 336 - 54%
- Genetics - 333 - 54%
- Biotechnology - 286 - 46%
- Immunology/Virology - 233 - 38%
- Microbiology - 226 - 36%
- Bioinformatics - 163 - 26%
- Protein Chemistry - 159 - 26%
- Drug Discovery/R&D - 152 - 25%
- Biomedical Technology - 122 - 20%
- Neuroscience - 111 - 18%
- Pharmacology - 100 - 16%
- Physiology - 93 - 15%
- Pathology - 89 - 14%
- Toxicology - 83 - 13%
- Agriculture - 60 - 10%
- Other - 58 - 9%
- Hematology - 57 - 9%
- Biostatistics - 56 - 9%
- Plant Biology - 56 - 9%
- Biophysics - 55 - 9%
- Forensics - 40 - 6%
- Anatomy - 38 - 6%
- Food Science - 37 - 6%
- Veterinary Science - 37 - 6%
- Organic Chemistry - 36 - 6%
- Zoology - 35 - 6%
- Ecology - 29 - 5%
- Process Engineering - 27 - 4%
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