Biobanks play a crucial role in biomedical research by providing specimens used for research studies, for helping establish and maintain the collections used for research and development. Biobanks support medical research initiatives by providing sample collection kits and services including sample processing, storage and distribution, which are important for establishing and maintaining new collections. Biobanks not only store and distribute samples, but also maintain the clinical and phenotypic data associated with each sample. Samples collected for clinical studies are often accompanied by clinical and genomic datasets. In an interaction with BioSpectrum Asia, Dr Alissa Resch, Director, Biobanking Operations, Coriell Institute for Medical Research talks about key drivers, ethical issues and new emerging trends in the biobanking space. Excerpts of the interview-
What are key drivers of the global biobanking market?
Genetic testing and personalized medicine are key drivers of the global biobanking market. The development of new tools and platforms for studying disease is linked to advances in genome technology. There is strong demand for biobanking samples from clinical diagnostic labs that are developing assays for genetic testing. These samples are also used by biotech companies to develop new instruments and sequencing platforms for clinical and biomedical research. Advances in genome technology, including development of next-generation sequencing capabilities, enables discovery of the impact of genomic variants on human health and disease. These technologies are advancing the field of personalized medicine, resulting in large precision medicine and population-based initiatives comprised of thousands and millions of sample donors. In addition to providing samples for development of new technologies, biobanks also help establish new collections by providing sample collection, storage and distribution services.
What are some of the major restraining factors of the market?
Access to biospecimens is a limiting factor of the market. Unlike cell lines which provide a renewable source of DNA, biomarker and tissue samples and are limited resources that must be continually renewed. There are also limitations on how samples can be used; for example, narrow sample consents may limit the use of samples for commercialization, whereas samples collected under broad consent are subject to fewer restrictions. Each country has different requirements for how samples pass through customs, therefore restrictions on sample exportation can impact global distribution of biospecimens.
Which countries in Asia are exhibiting promising growth in the biobanking space and why?
Asian countries are well represented within the global biobanking community. Biobanks that house human collections comprised of blood, cells, tissue and DNA have been established in India, China, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Australia. Biobanks in several of these countries also house biomarker collections containing plasma, serum, saliva, and urine samples. Population-based initiatives are underway in biobanks in Malaysia and Taiwan, China with the goal of collecting large numbers of samples from individuals within each country. Areas of potential growth in the biobanking space include distribution of biomarkers, tumor tissues, cancer cell lines, and stem cells. Demand for tumor tissues and cancer cell lines to support biomedical research has led to the establishment of several tumor and cancer banks in Asia. Increased demand for tumor samples is driven in part by genetic testing and development of novel cancer drugs and therapeutics. Korea, China, India, and Australia maintain active tumor banks, the majority of which are funded by government-sponsored programs involving academic and medical institutions. Stem cell banks comprised of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adult induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been established in Japan. Demand for iPSC lines is fueled by academic and commercial institutions where there is interest in developing disease-in-a-dish models for targeted drug discovery. Demand for iPSC lines is also driven by recent developments in gene editing technology.
Coriell has one of the most diverse biobanks in the world. Can you please trace your journey that helped you build such a huge rep...
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