Sample storage and management (SSM) systems provide storage and retrieval of compounds, biological samples or specimens used in a wide array of industries and applications from biotechnology, combinatorial chemistry, personalized medicine and biobanking. Typically, there are two types of SSM systems: smaller units, which are able to fit in most labs, and larger units, which are generally modular systems that often require heavy customization for both the storage units and the installation sites. Oftentimes, the larger platforms are used for biobanking applications to store biological samples, such as DNA, RNA, proteins and tissues. Biological samples are typically stored between -20°C and -80°C.

The market for SSM systems has traditionally been quite fragmented. However, due to recent mergers and acquisitions, the market has become dominated by a single vendor. Brooks Automation is the leader in the SSM market. The company entered the market in 2011 by acquiring RTS Life Sciences (see IBO 5/15/11), followed by Nexus Biosystems (see IBO 7/31/11). Combining these acquisitions, the Brooks Life Science Systems business was formed. Other vendors in the SSM system market include Hamilton Storage Technologies, TAP Biosystems and TTP LabTech.

Brooks’ Nexus Biosystems line offers the Universal Store Systems, which are customizable. The system can accommodate 10,000–20,000,000 samples. Similar to many other models in the industry, the Universal Store Systems feature a modular design, allowing the capability to expand the storage solutions as needs grow. Brooks’ REMP line of storage solutions includes the Small-Size Store (SSS), Mid-Size Store (MSS) and Large-Size Store (LSS). With dimensions of 1280 x 1346 x 1992 mm, the SSS is designed to fit into a standard lab. It has a storage temperature range of -20°C to 4°C. The MSS measures 10.2 x 3.6 x 2.78 m, has a temperature range the same as the SSS and capacity of up to 7.8 million samples. The LSS system has a low temperature limit of 80°C and measures 18.9 x 6.9 x 4.98 m. Due to its low temperature range, the unit can be customized as a Bio-Sample Store.

Hamilton Storage Technologies offers the Active Sample Manager (ASM), which has a temperature limit down to -20°C. The ASM biobanking units, consisting of the mid-capacity Sample Access Manager and the third-generation BiOS unit, have sample capacity ranges of 250,000 to greater than 10 million and low-temperature limits of -85°C. TTP LabTech offers the compound, which has a sample-storage temperature down to -20°C, and the arktic modular biobanking unit, with temperatures as low as -80°C.

While the SSM market is still small compared to the total laboratory automation market, it is expected to grow rapidly due to the wide array of applications. Biobanking is expected to be the fastest-growing segment, as organizations replace their manual storage solutions, which are more error prone.

SSM Systems at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Brooks Automation

• Hamilton

• TTP LabTech

Largest Markets

• Clinical/Diagnostics

• Pharmaceuticals

• Biotechnology

Instrument Cost

• $200,000–$10 million +