LAB AUTOMATION - TRAVAILS IN INDIA

Whether it is the industry or academia, life sciences workers are gradually accepting the fact that lab data digitisation improves processes, simplifies workflows and makes research and development (R&D) more efficient. With increasing advances in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), digitisation in the research environment is set to become an integral part of every laboratory worldwide. But in emerging markets such as India, there are a large number of factors responsible for its slow adoption such as lack of skilled workforce, high maintenance and service costs, limited expertise, data security etc.

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

The process of turning analog information into a digital format has taken over many aspects of our lives whether in the form of bank statements or medical records. Similar is the case with science. All over the world, researchers are swapping their pens, notebooks, and sticky notes for digital technologies such as Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs), Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMSs), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) etc.

Whether it is the industry or academia, life sciences workers are gradually accepting the fact that lab data digitisation improves processes, simplifies workflows and makes research and development (R&D) more efficient. With increasing advances in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), digitisation in the research environment is set to become an integral part of every laboratory.

The global lab automation market was valued at $4.57 billion in 2020 and it is expected to reach a value of $6.67 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.6 per cent. Particularly with the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased pressure on the laboratories to increase testing labs’ capacity and speed. With the increase in the number of samples being tested every day, the lab automation space has been witnessing a growth in the developments of digitised systems by vendors, which is expected to create opportunities for the market’s growth.