High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), particularly when combined with liquid chromatography (LC) in LC-MS and LC-MS/MS configurations, is a powerful method to characterise and identify low molecular weight compounds with similar chromatographic properties. Adoption of HRMS has become more widespread, often replacing triple quadrupole instruments, spurring technological developments that have increased resolution and dynamic range considerably.
As a highly versatile technology, HRMS is suited both to screening applications and quantitative analysis, for example answering questions pertinent to personalised medicine and untargeted proteomics and metabolomics analyses. The growing availability of hybrid HRMS systems is expected to drive both qualitative and quantitative assays for clinical decision-making.
Earlier this year, TDA estimated the overall high-resolution LC/MS (HRMS) market was $1.6B in 2019 and is expected to increase to about $2B in 2024.
This is supported by a recent Industry Research Report, that predicts that the mass spectrometry market as a whole is expected to achieve a CAGR in the mid-single digits between 2019 and 2024. It cites the factors that are driving the market growth as: increasing technological advancement, growing concerns over food safety, and rising R&D expenditure by the pharmaceutical industry and government research organizations.
According to TDA, the key market for HRMS is the proteomics market followed by metabolomics and bioanalysis/biopharma market. North America and Europe combine for more than half of the market. Geographically, China is expected to fuel market growth, while, in terms of technology, high-end ion trap has the fastest projected growth.
Protein analysis is vital to drug development and biomedical sciences, but accurate protein identification, quantification and quality assessment is challenging. LC-HRMS can provide the sensitivity and dynamic range needed to quantitatively solve problems in protein analysis, with depth and accuracy, including critical quality attribute assessment in pharma/biopharma development.
Other than pricing, the top-three major issues the TDA survey respondents were experiencing with their use of HRMS were: searching and identifying unknown compounds; linking to external software/libraries; and analysing HRMS data.
TDA conducted a survey of HRMS end users, and, based on their responses, identified key opportunities for HRMS instrument vendors, These opportunities include: knowing your customer, knowing the market and adapting to political environments. Further details and additional information from the survey are presented in the report.
It is clear that the market for high resolution LC/MS technologies is robust and has a strong future. The competitive environment is equally strong. To stand out and ensure your technology is favoured by scientists, an active and impactful marketing communications programme is critical. We support some of the leading players in analytical instrumentation with scientific content, trade media relations, inbound marketing and digital marketing. To find out how we could help you, contact us.
