Combinatorial analysis - How much is it worth?

Combinatorial research methods are fundamental to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Instead of making small numbers of compounds and then testing them for desired attributes, researchers are producing and screening thousands of compounds at a time in automated research facilities. The result: more promising compounds, more commercial starts, and more financial success. These same methods are beginning to be applied to other industries such as materials or chemicals. From a financial perspective, the potential benefit of combinatorial research is derived from two factors. increasing speed to market and enabling premium pricing. By interviewing senior market development personnel and modeling their responses. a quantitative financial assessment was made of the value of combinatorial research methods.