Medical Imaging: Reagents and Analysis Tools

Report Highlights

• The U.S. market for medical imaging reagents and analysis tools is valued at a little more than $4.9 billion in 2006 and is expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 11.9% to reach over $8.4 billion in 2011.
• Imaging reagents currently comprise the largest segment with a value of $2.97 billion in 2006. Medical imaging reagents are expected to increase at an average annual rate of 10.5% to reach $4.9 billion in 2011. The market for imaging reagents is currently led by radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine imaging. The market for these reagents was over $1 billion in 2006 and is expected to grow with an average annual rate of 11.8% to surpass $1.7 billion in 2011. Ultrasound imaging reagents are expected to experience the most significant growth with an average annual rate of 36% to reach $252.8 million in 2011.
• Within the image analysis market, tools for the analysis of ultrasound images were $190.5 million in 2006 and are expected to grow at an average annual rate of 13.6% to reach $360.6 in 2011.

INTRODUCTION

Existing medical imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and nuclear medicine are finding new applications through the development of specialized imaging reagents. These reagents include organ-specific contrast media and radiopharmaceuticals. At the same time, the digitalization of medical images has enabled extraordinary developments in the analysis, archiving, and sharing of image data.

Image analysis is entering a new era with novel software tools to improve accuracy of diagnosis and to combine data from more than one imaging modality. Systems for the storage and communication of images are changing the way medicine is practiced. The recent Olympics games provided a testing ground for the technology. Several hundred scans were conducted on-site each week and the data was transmitted to remote specialists for rapid and accurate diagnosis. Image management and communications systems are streamlining long-distance collaboration among medical specialists.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains:

• A detailed analysis of medical imaging, including supporting products that have enhanced imaging at the chemical (reagents and contrast media) and analytical (software tools and image management) levels

• Regulatory aspects important to the industry

• Market forecasts based on historical and current data, with five-year projections to 2011, including the U.S. market for medical imaging by technology, and the U.S. market for imaging products, by medical application

• An examination of existing technology, the latest innovations and important patents

• Profiles of the top companies within the industry.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The market assessments provided have been assembled based on publicly available information from January 2002 up to and including October 2006. The base year for this report is 2006 and forecast data are provided through 2011. In cases where data for 2006 were not available, figures were extrapolated from 2005 statistics, half-year figures for 2005, and historical trends between 2002 and 2006. Market figures are based on current dollars and inflation is not computed into the projection figures.

The information contained in this report has been assembled from both primary and secondary data. Primary research was conducted via telephone interviews with industry professionals, research scientists, physician-researchers, and laboratory heads to discover the most recent developments in their fields of interest. Secondary data was collected via a comprehensive search of the scientific, peer-reviewed literature, clinical trial reports and databases, industry trade media, company websites, annual reports and industry press releases.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Brock, Ph.D. has over 10 years of research experience working at the interface of the biological sciences, bioengineering, and biophysics. Trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, she holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in biomedical science. She is the author of Pharmacogenomics: New Technologies in the Development of Personalized Therapies, Kinase Inhibitors in Clinical Use, and Genetic Diseases.