Multimodal Imaging Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030)

Multimodal imaging, also known as multiplexed imaging is the incorporation of multiple imaging techniques within a single setting. This technique helps in obtaining precise characterization of body parts by making accurate differential diagnoses. Multimodal imaging combines morphofunctional information by asynchronous or synchronous means. It can help in tracking cellular events and their progression in real time in rare diseases like familial esophageal neoplasia. These are utilized for the diagnosis and management of several chronic diseases, including cancer, heart diseases, neural diseases, and others. The main advantage of multimodal imaging is the earlier detection of disease and also in localizing the cells like malignant cells of cancer. The multimodal imaging market is growing at a tremendous rate owing to a surge in the prevalence of diseases like cancer, a rise in the geriatric population, increased expenditure in healthcare, advancements in healthcare technologies, and the popularity of personalized medicine.

The Multimodal Imaging Market is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of 5% during the forecast period owing to the rising pharmaceutical investment for the development of multimodal imaging. Pharmaceutical companies have adopted strategic alliances to maintain a competitive edge in the global market. Likewise, Switzerland-based medicine software company SOPHiA GENETICS collaborated with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to use multimodal imaging techniques for cancer drug development. Apart from this, biotechnology companies are also making efforts to find better diagnosis methods for cancer using multimodal imaging. For instance, Medtech giant Siemens Healthineers introduced a PET/CT system with a biograph vision with minimized crystal elements, delivering a higher spatial resolution that modifies lesion detectability in cancer diagnosis in the year 2022. These bulky investments in the healthcare sector are going to diversify and amplify the opportunities tremendously in the multimodal imaging market.

Based on technology, the market is segmented into PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR, OCT/fundus imaging, and others. The PET/CT held the highest share in the market in the year 2022 owing to its ability to find abnormal activities in the body. PET/CT is found to be more sensitive and accurate than other diagnostic imaging tests. Recent developments have integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) with PET/CT which has optimized daily workflow along with providing improved quality images. Likewise, United Imaging has introduced Next-Generation PET/CT systems and an integrated molecular technology platform with seamless AI at The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in July 2023. Thus, the rapid launch of technologically advanced products is driving the growth of the segment in the forecast period.

Based on application, the market is categorized into oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and others. The oncology segment held the dominant share in the market in 2022 owing to the rise in the prevalence of cancer cases. The American Cancer Society estimated more than 1.9 million new cancer cases and approximately 0.6 million cancer deaths in the U.S. in the year 2023. Apart from this, rising research and development for finding a permanent cure for cancer and increasing adoption of diagnostic scanners for imaging metastatic tumor cells due to their targeted nature are also having a positive impact on the growth of the segment. For instance, in February 2023, the U.S. FDA granted approval to Jemperli for adult patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR), and recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer. Thus, the rising prevalence of cancer is driving the growth of the oncology segment.

On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and others. The hospital category held the highest share in the market in 2022 attributed to the rising government support in recent years. For instance, the Korean government funded a project on potential visualization of tumor microenvironment in bone metastasis using multimodal imaging in August 2021 led by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Such initiatives are expected to positively affect the segment growth. Thus, the rising government initiatives are driving the growth of the hospital.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the multimodal imaging industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. North America dominated the market in 2022. Several factors such as increasing healthcare expenditure, the surge in the prevalence of chronic diseases, rising patient awareness, and the presence of the majority of key players and their associated surge in research and development activities are driving the regional market. For instance, in August 2023, U.S's Amazon launched its new HIPAA-eligible service- AWS HealthImaging which is equipped with a multimodal analysis feature that combines clinical imaging with omics data as well as health records to provide medical insights for precision medicine. Hence, the rising investments in healthcare are driving the growth of multimodal imaging in North America.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Siemens; Bruker; GE Healthcare; Canon Inc.; Mediso Ltd.; MILabs B.V.; MR Solutions Ltd.; Koninklijke Philips N.V.; PerkinElmer, Inc.; Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd.