Mr Ho: We just launched the new Accelerated Lab Integration (ALI) Packages that change the value proposition for laboratories in Asia. This is very significant for price-sensitive customers. AB SCIEX now offers more value-oriented solutions for customers who want a complete LC/MS solution, and want the best. With our new ALI packages, AB SCIEX is now the first choice in value for complete mass spectrometry workflow solutions. It's more than just about list price. It's about an integrated workflow and providing the best value for what customers spend.

What is the contribution of APAC to AB SCIEX's overall revenue and what kind of growth are you looking at in 2012?

Mr Ho: AB SCIEX does not disclose revenue figures by business unit or product line, but the company's pharma and healthcare division continues to make a major impact in APAC. We see opportunities for growth with contract research organizations that are serving medium-to-large pharmaceutical companies in APAC. We are also seeing an increase of pharma work being done in the academia.

What has been the recent trend in Asia regarding the demand of mass spectrometry products?

Mr Ho: Demand for next-generation food safety technologies is growing across APAC. Food safety issues continue and will continue to persist, not just in this region, but around the world. We anticipate that our share in the food testing market will grow in the APAC, especially in China. The benefits of using LC/MS/MS for food safety testing are phenomenal and cannot be ignored. We also see opportunities in clinical research and toxicology.