IMAC - a review : The Establishment of a Small Challenger Company ina Segmented High-Technology Life Science Market

Abstract: This degree project report consists of an individual study, IMAC – a review, and a study made by a total of three students at the Uppsala School of Entrepreneurship, The Establishment of a Small Challenger Company in a Segmented High-Technology Life Science Market. The review is about immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and describes this popular protein purification technique which has constantly evolved since its first discovery in 1975. It is also indeed a technique used by the case company under study in the main report. The mechanism when using Histidine-tagged proteins and Nickel-nitrilotriacetate (Ni-NTA) agarose is highlighted. The main report aims to identify the challenges and opportunities of a small challenger company in a rigid and conservative high technology life science market. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected through interviews, an online survey and conjoint analysis which were used as market research tools. The data showed that marketing channels should be scientific journals, seminars and conferences and that price and quality are important factors for customers in the high-technology life science market.