Sample storage and management (SSM) systems are sophisticated, automated biorepository devices that provide physical storage of biological materials, samples and specimens, as well as chemical compounds. They allow for retrieval while preserving sample integrity. The systems are available in compact units, which can fit on a lab bench, or larger-scale units, some of which can be as big as a lab itself. Most times, these large storage units are essential for biobanks. These systems store samples at temperatures from -80°C to room temperature.

Storage systems are used by many industries from biotechnology to pharmaceuticals. Since the late 1990s, biobanking has become increasingly important to medical research. With the increased reliance on adequate sample storage, the market for SSM systems has grown. It is currently dominated by Brooks Automation Life Science Systems. Since 2011, the company has grown through its acquisitions of RTS Life Sciences (see IBO 5/15/11), Nexus Biosystems (see IBO 7/31/11), FluidX (see IBO 10/15/14) and, most recently, BioStorage Technologies (see IBO 11/15/15). Other notable vendors include Hamilton Storage Technologies, TAP Biosystems and TTP LabTech.

Brooks offers a comprehensive line of storage systems, including the BioStore II, which comes as a SingleBank, TwinBank or Quadbank, with options to expand or upgrade. The systems have capacity for 700,000 to more than 5,000,000 96-way sample tubes, and feature passive tile walls that insulate the storage compartment, allowing for quick access to samples. When samples are requested, less than 1% of the tile wall is opened, ensuring minimal exposure and temperature change. The SingleBank is comparable in size to a single-car garage. The company also has cryogenic storage solutions. In May 2015, it introduced the CryoPod, the result of a 12-month joint venture with BioCision (see IBO 4/30/14). The CryoPod carrier is a portable device that enables -150°C sample transportation over short distances and features integrated temperature monitoring and alarms, ensuring cryogenic sample protection for over four hours.

Hamilton’s latest automated storage system, the Verso, is a medium- to large-capacity management system that can be scaled to fit sample capacities ranging from 100,000 to over 5 million tubes at temperatures from ambient to -20°C. It is capable of storing and processing up to 1,500 tubes and plates per hour, and allows loading and unloading of up to 70 sample racks at a time. TTP LabTech’s arktic biostore is a compact system that is comparable to the size of a standard vending machine for storage at -80°C.

The SSM market is approaching $100 million. The pharmaceutical, biotech and clinical industries represent the largest segment, but the market is expanding for hospitals and academia. Also, biopharma firms are outsourcing sample storage to biorepository services, such as Fisher BioServices and Pacific BioStorage.

SSM at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Brooks Automation

• Hamilton

• TTP LabTech

Largest Markets

• Clinical/Diagnostics

• Pharmaceutical

• Biotechnology

Instrument Cost

• $200,00–$10 Million +