Proteomics – Challenges and possibilities in Finland

The discipline of proteomics, i.e. simultaneous analysis of all the proteins in a cell at a given point in time, is undergoing strong development and growth. The market is estimated to be worth USD 2.9 billion in 2005. A recent report by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute estimated the expenditure on proteomics to increase by 15% to 50% in 2003, compared with 2002. Major areas of increase were sample preparation (increase in two- and multi-dimensional liquid chromatography systems) and mass spectrometric analysis. Of the estimated USD 2.9 billion proteomics market in 2005, two-dimensional sample separation is expected to account for approximately 30%. Regarding protein analysis, 300% more mass spectra were expected to be generated in 2003, compared with 2002. Interestingly, the biggest increase in market value was envisaged for protein chips. In proteomics, Finland is lagging behind countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Netherlands. There has been no focused investment to form bigger core facilities, as done in other countries. In Finland, proteome analysis is mainly performed in university laboratories whose remit is to serve the needs of academic research. The Finnish biotechnology industry has not used the capabilities of proteomics technology to full potential. This appears to be partly due to poor awareness of the services available. To achieve high throughput, proteomic methods need to be further automated and standardised. New technology is needed to accomplish this. Microarrays (e.g. protein or antibody arrays) present an interesting technology platform for future exploitation. The first protein chip products are already on the market, and the field is expected to continue to develop rapidly. So far, there is not sufficient content (i.e. characterised proteins, antibodies, etc.) to be spotted onto the chips. Protein arrays evidently possess high potential to resolve many of today’s unresolved bottlenecks in proteome analysis. Array technology may open new avenues for functional proteomics and, later on, for clinical proteomics. The development of clinically relevant content for next-generation proteomics and the application of new technologies such as microfluidistics present additional future business opportunities in Finland. During the past few years. proteomics has evolved as intellectual property-intensive activity. The number of proteomics-related patent applications has doubled every year since the early days of proteomics. The great majority of the applications (60%) have been filed in the USA, followed by Japan and Germany. Interestingly, China is among the top four countries, in front of the United Kingdom and France. Finland lags behind in proteome patent applications, too. As the field is young and developing rapidly, the rate of seeking intellectual property rights protection will probably be maintained at least at the current level for some time. In Finland, like elsewhere in the world, proteomics offers a new means to improve the competitiveness of the bioindustry. Proteomics can help to enhance the efficiency and control of the processes used in the biotechnology industry to produce bioactive compounds. New targets for drug development can be identified and validated, diagnostics can be improved by proteomic profiling, and novel biomarkers can be found. Applicable to the theranostics and personalised medicine of the future, the more precise biomarkers will bring diagnostic and clinical research capabilities to new levels. In Finland, these potentials in combination existing sample collections, capabilities to perform clinical studies and clinical expertise offer additional competitive edge. Many Finnish companies would already benefit from the new data obtainable by proteomics methods. The existence and range of the current services would need to be better communicated to Finnish companies. It is therefore proposed that an open planning meeting be arranged to touch off the communication between service providers and users. Furthermore, the services in Finland would need to be developed further in terms of quality, robustness, throughput and pricing. For the future, a new technology development programme should be drawn up to take advantage of the current business window in proteomics. With its clinical expertise, potential for technology development. re-agent manufacturing skills and software development capabilities, Finland is well geared to deal with this challenge.