Dako Ponders the Expanding Universe

Dako AS, has always been known for its technical acumen and has a strong following in niche laboratory segments, such as immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. But as competition increases, regulations get tighter for research reagents, and customers demand integrated systems, Dako has had to change. It is becoming more focused on clinical products, necessitating major shifts in regulatory and sales and marketing functions, with an aim on achieving global coordination. HercepTest, its first clinical product, is a success, and it hopes to capitalize on a growing interest in pharmacodiagnostics. But it faces tough competition in the systems business from Ventana Medical Systems, a one-time small competitor that now dominates the IHC systems market. Dako is also gambling on a move into flow cytometry.