Preclinical Imaging Global Market Report 2024

The preclinical imaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.2 billion in 2023 to $3.44 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth observed in the historical period can be accredited to governmental initiatives, the rise in disease prevalence, expanding applications, heightened awareness, and the expansion of emerging markets.

The preclinical imaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.42 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. Anticipated growth in the upcoming period is attributable to the adoption of personalized medicine, advancements in molecular imaging, increased outsourcing of drug development, support from regulatory bodies, and the escalation of chronic diseases. Notable trends in the forecast period encompass eco-friendly imaging technologies, technological enhancements, an upsurge in research and development activities, collaborations, partnerships, and the emergence of real-time imaging.

The anticipated surge in chronic diseases is poised to be a significant driver of growth in the preclinical imaging market. Chronic diseases, characterized by prolonged health conditions lasting three months or more, necessitate ongoing medical management and can substantially impact individuals' quality of life. Preclinical imaging tools play a crucial role in identifying these diseases by visualizing bone structure and lung function. Moreover, they contribute to studying chronic diseases, enabling the visualization of disease progression and enhancing overall understanding. For instance, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) 2022 Highlights in September 2022 revealed that 74% of global deaths are caused by Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases, amounting to 41 million deaths annually. Notably, this includes 17.9 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 9.3 million from cancer, 4.1 million from chronic respiratory diseases, and 2.0 million from diabetes. Thus, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is a driving force behind the growth of the preclinical imaging market.

The growing demand for pharmaceutical products is set to propel the expansion of the preclinical imaging market. Pharmaceutical products, encompassing substances formulated to prevent, diagnose, or treat medical conditions, benefit significantly from preclinical imaging in the pharmaceutical industry. This imaging technology enhances decision-making by providing valuable insights into drug efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action before progressing to clinical trials. For instance, Eurostat reported in April 2023 that exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products increased to $307 billion (€287 billion) in 2022, reflecting a 22% rise from the previous year. Concurrently, pharmaceutical product imports increased from $107 billion (€100 billion) in 2021 to $120 billion (€112 billion) in 2022. Furthermore, the Merck Group, a Germany-based pharmaceutical company, reported in February 2023 that pharmaceutical product sales for the year 2022 reached $59.3 billion, marking a 22% increase over the full year 2021. Consequently, the heightened demand for pharmaceutical products emerges as a key driver for the growth of the preclinical imaging market.

Product innovation stands out as a prominent trend gaining traction in the preclinical imaging market, with major companies actively engaged in developing cutting-edge products to maintain their market positions. A notable example is Fujifilm VisualSonics Inc., a Canada-based biomedical company specializing in imaging systems, which introduced Vevo F2 for preclinical imaging in May 2022. Distinguished as the first preclinical ultra-high- to low-frequency (71 MHz–1 MHz) ultrasonic and photoacoustic imaging system, Vevo F2 incorporates HD image processing technology and a novel signal pathway. These features contribute to enhanced image clarity, improved frame rates, and customization options tailored to precision imaging demands. With a broad scope of anatomical targets and high-resolution imaging capabilities, Vevo F2 is well-suited for diverse research applications.

Major players in the preclinical imaging market are intensifying their focus on introducing next-generation imaging systems, positioning themselves strategically to gain a competitive advantage. Next-generation imaging systems represent advanced technologies that surpass current capabilities, integrating cutting-edge features. In a significant development, Revvity Inc., a US-based biotechnology company, launched next-generation imaging systems in September 2023, aimed at driving innovation in various preclinical research applications. The product lineup includes the next-generation IVIS Spectrum 2 and IVIS SpectrumCT 2 imaging systems, the Quantum GX3 microCT imaging solution, and a system seamlessly integrating 2D optical and full 3D imaging. These imaging systems boast enhanced image-based capabilities and are designed to streamline the imaging workflow, marking a significant stride in advancing preclinical imaging technologies.

In August 2021, Rigaku Corporation, a Japanese company specializing in X-ray technology, completed the acquisition of MILabs B.V. The deal's financial details remained undisclosed. This strategic move by Rigaku Corporation is targeted at broadening its footprint within the life sciences sector. The acquisition is poised to reinforce the company's research and development capacities concerning its product range while leveraging MILabs' technological advancements and specialized knowledge. MILabs B.V., based in the Netherlands, is known for producing preclinical imaging systems catering to universities, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical studies.

Major companies operating in the preclinical imaging market report are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., FUJIFILM Visualsonics Inc., Konica Minolta Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Bruker Corporation, Miltenyi Biotech, Sofie Biosciences Inc., Promega Corporation, Ion Beam Applications S.A, Nihon Kohden, EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc., Piramal Enterprises Ltd, LI-COR Biosciences Inc., Aspect Imaging Ltd, Capintec Inc., Spectral Instruments Inc., Mediso Ltd, MR Solutions Ltd, Biospace Lab S. A., Scintica Instrumentation Inc., Trifoil Imaging, Bioscan Inc., CytoSMART Technologies B.V, Inviscan SAS, Kubtec X-ray, MILabs B.V., SCANCO Medical AG, Cristal Therapeutics.

North America was the largest region in the preclinical imaging market in 2023. The regions covered in the preclinical imaging market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the preclinical imaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

Key modalities employed in preclinical imaging include optical imaging systems, preclinical nuclear imaging systems, micro-magnetic resonance imaging systems, micro-ultrasound systems, micro-computed tomography systems, preclinical photoacoustic imaging systems, and preclinical magnetic particle imaging (MPI) systems. Optical imaging systems involve technologies that leverage light to visualize and capture images of biological tissues, cells, or molecules. They are utilized during the preclinical stage for research purposes, disease diagnosis, monitoring tumor blood vessel growth, and tracking tissue blood oxygenation in animals. This encompasses a spectrum of reagents such as preclinical optical imaging reagents, preclinical nuclear imaging reagents, preclinical MRI contrast agents, preclinical ultrasound contrast agents, and preclinical CT contrast agents. Hospitals, diagnostic centers, and other entities form the primary user base for these technologies.

The preclinical imaging market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides preclinical imaging market statistics, including preclinical imaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a preclinical imaging market share, detailed preclinical imaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the preclinical imaging industry. This preclinical imaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The preclinical imaging market includes of revenues earned by entities by providing preclinical imaging services such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and optical imaging services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.