Due to the recent turnover among fledgling biotechs, according to the Biotech Graveyard report, published by FierceBiotech, some previously owned gear has become available at deep discounts. Moreover, brokers reported that, given economic realities, the stigma of buying used equipment has diminished greatly.

In the Boston (MA, USA) area, for example, which is rife with biotech turnover, everything from lab benches and microscopes to centrifuges and complete vaccine manufacturing set-ups can be purchased. Dealers are increasingly open to offers rather than keeping to preset prices.

The Boston Globe newspaper recently reported that refurbished equipment sales are up and likely to stay that way. Equipment sells for approximately half price, the article noted, but some buyers have realized savings as high as 90%. Some companies buy used equipment directly from failed biotechs; others find the used and refurbished gear through online auctioneers, universities, and even eBay.

The drug industry is not alone in seeing growing stores of used equipment and a more willing buying public. Supplies of refurbished semiconductor manufacturing equipment are on the rise at the same time the negative connotation is disappearing. Some suppliers, in fact, cite an excess of used equipment.

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