Automation of the library preparation step in the NGS workflow is known as NGS library preparation automation. This is the second step of the entire workflow right after nucleic acid extraction, up to the preparation of sequencing reads right before sequencing. Library preparation is the most time-consuming and error-prone step in the entire NGS workflow, thereby increasing the demand for its automation.

In 2021, the global NGS library preparation automation market was valued at $1,273.2 million, and it is expected to reach $3,803.3 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 14.85% during the forecast period 2022-2029. The growth in the global NGS library preparation automation market is expected to be driven by increasing demand for next-generation sequencing, as there is no human error when the system is fully automated. Additionally, it saves time and money.

Impact of COVID-19

In March 2019, the world was hit by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which led to the entire world shut down and everybody getting tested for the virus. As the amount of testing increased, it became important to increase the pace of testing as well. To do this, automated library preparation systems were set up at many clinical and diagnostic centers to decrease hands-on time and increase the pace of testing.

Steps performed in this process include extracting RNA sample from the patients, which is then reverse transcribed to cDNA, and then amplified using PCR. However, before the PCR step, a sample library needs to be prepared, which is the most time-consuming step of the entire process. With the help of instruments like the Hamilton NGS STAR 96, the entire NGS library preparation automation protocol can be performed hands-free on the instrument itself. Therefore, with the emergence of COVID-19, the popularity of NGS library preparation automation systems has increased.

Recent Developments in Global NGS Library Preparation Automation Market

•    In March 2022, Beckman Coulter, Inc. launched CellMekSPS, which is a fully automated sample preparation system that is used for clinical flow cytometry. This fully automated system offers an on-demand multitude of sample types processing that can help laboratories expand testing capabilities.
•    In June 2022, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. launched its SEQuoia Express Stranded RNA Library Prep Kit at the AGBT 2022. This kit is highly efficient for optimal RNA Sequencing Library Preparation and can be used for comprehensive transcriptome profiling.
•    In April 2022, OPENTRONS launched four new OT-2 workstations for all types of applications, including NGS, PCR, and protein purification. Its NGS workstation automates multiple steps of the pre-sequencing, including library preparations. This expansion is expected to increase the accessibility of automation products to customers.
•    In June 2022, PerkinElmer, Inc. launched its BioQule NGS System, which was an automated NGS solution for library preparation for up to eight samples. BioQule NGS System enabled researchers to produce high-quality NGS libraries through its optical quantification and robust liquid handling technology.

Global NGS Library Preparation Automation Market: Segmentation

Segmentation 1: by Sequencing Type
•    DNA Sequencing
•    RNA Sequencing

The global NGS library preparation automation market in the sequencing segment is expected to be dominated by DNA sequencing technology. This is due to the expansion of therapeutic and diagnostic uses for DNA sequencing as well as the decreasing cost of genomic sequencing globally.

Segmentation 2: by Product
•    Library Preparation Automated Kits and Consumables
•    Automated Instruments

The global NGS library preparation automation market is dominated by library preparation automated kits and consumables. This is owing to the availability of several library preparation kit types, falling sequencing costs, expanding use of NGS in a variety of industries, including drug development, diagnostics, and animal research, as well as the availability of research grants.

Segmentation 3: by Application
•    Research
•    Diagnostics

The research application dominated the market. The growth of the research segment is primarily attributed to the identification of novel oncology targets, a growing understanding of cancer, and the expanding demand for the development of novel therapeutic approaches in oncology.

Segmentation 4: by End User
•    Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
•    Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories
•    Academic and Research Institutions
•    Other End Users (Reference laboratories, Sequencing Laboratories, and Others)

Academic and research institutions dominated the end user segment in the market. The growth of this segment is primarily attributed to the growth in financing for genomic RD and the persistent rise in demand for affordable NGS tools and supplies.

Segmentation 5: by Region
•    North America
•    Europe
•    Asia-Pacific
•    Latin America
•    Rest-of-the-World

In 2021, the North America region dominated the global market, and it is expected to hold its dominance throughout the forecast period 2022-2029. However, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, constituting several emerging economies, is expected to register the highest CAGR of 15.87% during the forecast period 2022-2029.

Demand – Drivers and Limitations

Following are the demand drivers for the global NGS library preparation automation market:

•    Rising Demand for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
•    Fully Automated Systems Help in Avoiding Human Error
•    Automated Instruments Can Save Money
•    Library Preparation is the Most Time-Consuming Step and Automation is Promising a Significant Reduction in Time

The market is expected to face some limitations too due to the following challenges:

•    Complex Handling of NGS Library Preparation Automation Systems
•    High Initial Cost of NGS Library Preparation Automation Instruments

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts, analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Some of the prominent names established in this market are:

•    Agilent Technologies, Inc. 
•    Aurora Biomed Inc.
•    BGI Group
•    Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
•    Danaher.
•    Endress+Hauser Group Services AG
•    Eppendorf SE
•    F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
•    Hamilton Company.
•    Hologic Inc.
•    Illumina, Inc.
•    New England Biolabs
•    OPENTRONS
•    Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc.
•    PerkinElmer Inc.
•    Promega Corporation
•    QIAGEN N.V.
•    Takara Bio Inc.
•    Tecan Trading AG
•    Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

  Key Questions Answered in the Report

• What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global NGS library preparation automation market?
• How is each segment of the market expected to grow during the forecast period 2022-2029, and what is the anticipated revenue to be generated by each segment? Following are the segments:
  • Sequencing Type (DNA Sequencing and RNA Sequencing)
  • Product (Library Preparation Automated Kits and Consumables and Automated Instruments)
  • Application (Research and Diagnostics)
  • End User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories, Academic and Research Institutions and Other End Users)
  • Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest-of-the-World)
• What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the global NGS library preparation automation market?
• What are the key developmental strategies implemented by the major players to sustain in the competitive market?

The report scope exclusively covers companies that are actively involved in the development of NGS library preparation automation products which includes instruments and kits from all the library preparation steps of the NGS sequencing workflow, which includes library preparation, library clean-up, and library amplification and quantification.

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