Thursday, September 27, 2012

Vaccine Sales Drop For First Time in Over a Decade

At Kalorama we've sometimes been seen as promoters of the vaccine business, because we do yearly reports, and we have identified vaccines as the future growth area of pharmaceuticals in a time where 'blockbuster' single-molecule drugs are not plentiful.  We insist we call it like it is, and over the past decade it's simply the case that vaccines have been growing.  In 2011 however, given the over stockpiling of influenza vaccine in 2010, the market dropped about 30% according to our latest report.  So I suppose, we have a good objectivity test here.  When the market is down, as it now appears it was in 2011, we report that as well.   However, the interest, buzz and comparative growth prospects of vaccines have not declined.  R&D interest from top pharma presages a good future for these products.

In our report, Vaccines 2012, we demonstrate how the decline should be short lived, and what products are immune to the decline in the overall market.  

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Good Viruses? Yes, Thanks to DNA Sequencing

Genetic Engineering News, one of Kalorama's favorite sources of information in the biopharma world, (and an avid user of Kalorama's Market Estimates) carries a story on the discovery of viruses that have a positive function.  In this case, they are referring to 'viruses that can zap zits.'  Which in practice means, isolated phages of virus have been found using heavy sequencers which can kill  P. acnes --  that elusive bacteria responsible for acne.
According to the article: 
After isolating, then sequencing the genomes of 11 Propionibacterium acnes phages, a team of researchers from the University of California (UCLA). and the University of Pittsburgh says it found similarities between the phages that may make them suitable against P. acnes, the bacterium believed responsible for the zits so many have long tried to zap.
What's significant about this article is that discovery of these type of treatments is only possible through DNA Sequencing.  The more research 'hits' that we see in the coming years, the more funding agencies will take an interest in sequencing research labs.  We needn't add that this is especially true where the target is one of heavy consumer interest.  These type of discoveries will increase the relevance of systems and drive the market for innovative, faster systems with more read length.  Kalorama's new report
http://www.kaloramainformation.com/DNA-Sequencing-Equipment-7118427/  details the current state of DNA Sequencing Equipment Markets.