Bringing Biotech To The Barnyard

Human genomics and genetic analysis gets a great deal of attention from investors and journalists. That attention is well-deserved, as a single cancer drug can be worth as much as $100,000 per year per patient. Clearly, that provides ample incentive for major drug companies to invest heavily in genomic equipment in the hopes of developing more effective drugs.


By no means is it just a pharmaceutical opportunity, either. Myriad Genetics (Nasdaq:MYGN) has built an attractive niche in gene-based cancer diagnostics, and larger players like Abbott Labs are also delving deep into molecular and genome-based diagnostics.

But why should people have all the fun? The cattle industry alone is worth about $80 billion a year in the United States, and there is clearly substantial money to be made in getting the best out of every Bessie and Wilbur in the feed lots.


You can read the full piece at: 
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Bringing-Biotech-To-The-Barnyard-MYGN-AFFX-ILMN-SQNM-TSN-WFMI-LMNX-NEOG0617.aspx

Sequencing Wars - The Third Generation

Forget the white lab coats and the quiet demeanors. In biology labs across the country, and in corporate R&D labs, there is an all-out war going on. Researchers are pushing themselves and their gear in an effort to understand human disease and find new pathways for treatment, while companies are pushing each other on a relentless drive to build better, faster, and cheaper research equipment. (Learn more about the importance of Research and Development, see: Buying Into Corporate Research & Development (R&D).)

We are now on the cusp of a new battle - the sequencing wars to be fought with third-generation sequencing equipment. Third-gen systems promise more accuracy, faster results, better economics, and a new round of sales for major corporations. The combatants will include some of the better-known names in life sciences research, while the victors will almost certainly include all of us, as these technology innovations should ultimately lead directly to better healthcare treatments.   



For the full column, please continue on to: 
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Sequencing-Wars---The-Third-Generation-ILMN-LIFE-A-CALP-GE0610.aspx

I also would like add that IBM is working on a next-gen platform as well. IBM's idea is to use microtubules that read the charge of the base-pairs in the DNA. IBM thinks they may be able to produce entire genomes in under an hour with this technology. It's very interesting technology, but it's a long way from "interesting in the lab" to break-out commercial success.