Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market (2026 - 2033)

Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Summary

The global small animal imaging (in-vivo) market size was valued at USD 1.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2026 to USD 2.3 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2026 to 2033. North America dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 37.0% in the global market in 2025. The market growth is attributed to the increasing need for small-animal imaging, which is used to monitor treatment response, assess drug delivery, detect cancer cells, and more.

Source: Grand View Research, IR Documents, Primary Interviews, Paid Databases

To learn more about this report, Download Free Sample Report

The market growth is also due to increased investments by organizations in preclinical research and technological advancement, such as high-resolution MRI and other imaging methods. Furthermore, a rise in the number of research-based organizations and pharmaceutical institutes has also resulted in the market growth.

There is a growing demand for preclinical research using small animals to develop new drugs. Research on small animals enables efficient, safer testing that can proceed to human trials. There is an increased demand for noninvasive research procedures to minimize animal harm. Furthermore, small-animal imaging enables researchers to develop new treatment methods for early disease diagnosis. Hence, these factors are responsible for the increase in the market growth.

Furthermore, the growth in the pharmaceutical and clinical research sector has increased the demand for high-end equipment required for clinical research. This has increased demand for high-resolution modalities, in-vivo imaging devices, and real-time data storage options. There has been an increase in regulatory body approvals for treatments and preclinical research. Furthermore, increased investment by the government and major market players has resulted in the market growth.

Analyst Perspective

The global small animal imaging (in vivo) industry is witnessing steady growth, driven by the increasing adoption of preclinical imaging in drug discovery, rising investments in life sciences and biomedical research, and the growing need for advanced imaging technologies to evaluate disease progression and therapeutic efficacy in living animal models. The expanding use of imaging modalities such as optical imaging, micro-MRI, micro-CT, PET, SPECT, and ultrasound for non-invasive, high-resolution, and longitudinal studies is further supporting market expansion across pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and academic research institutions. Despite challenges including the high cost of imaging systems, operational complexity, and limited accessibility for smaller research organizations, ongoing technological advancements are expected to sustain market growth.

Modality Insights

The optical imaging systems segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 39.8% in 2025. The increasing demand for accurate, non-invasive imaging technologies in preclinical research drives the segment's growth. Optical imaging systems enable researchers to perform repeated longitudinal studies to monitor disease progression and evaluate treatment response while minimizing animal handling and physiological stress. Their high sensitivity, ease of use, and ability to generate real-time molecular and functional imaging data have made them a preferred choice across drug discovery and biomedical research applications. For instance, Revvity's IVIS series, including the IVIS Spectrum and IVIS Lumina systems, provides high-sensitivity bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging and can be integrated with micro-CT to deliver comprehensive functional and anatomical imaging for preclinical studies.

The micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, driven by its non-invasive imaging capabilities, superior soft-tissue contrast, and high spatial resolution. Micro-MRI enables detailed visualization of internal organs and tissues in small animal models, allowing researchers to conduct longitudinal studies and monitor disease progression and therapeutic response without compromising animal welfare. Its ability to generate high-quality anatomical and functional images makes it a valuable tool for preclinical research, drug discovery, and translational medicine. For example, Bruker's BioSpec ultra-high-field MRI systems offer exceptional spatial resolution and advanced molecular imaging capabilities, making them well-suited for a broad range of small animal imaging applications.

Application Insights

The biodistribution studies segment led the market with the largest revenue share of around 34.0% in 2025. Biodistribution studies using small-animal imaging provide essential insights into drug interactions with the body. Drug movement, along with its absorption, distribution, and excretion, is studied with the help of biodistribution. Advancements in small-animal imaging techniques with greater specificity are increasing the accuracy of biodistribution studies. These factors are responsible for the market growth of this segment.

The cancer cell detection segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The market growth was due to the rise in the prevalence of cancer diseases and the increase in the number of targeted cancer therapies. Demand for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches has increased the use of small-animal imaging in cancer research. This allows researchers to study the development of cancer tissues and their response to treatment. Therefore, these factors are responsible for the market growth of the segment.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 37.0% in 2025. The region's leadership is driven by its well-established pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and biomedical research ecosystem, coupled with substantial investments in drug discovery and preclinical research. The presence of leading market players, advanced research infrastructure, and growing research and development activities focused on novel therapeutics has significantly boosted the adoption of small-animal imaging technologies. Furthermore, strong government funding for life sciences research and a favorable regulatory environment continue to support the use of advanced in vivo imaging systems for preclinical studies, reinforcing the region's dominant market position.

To learn more about this report, Download Free Sample Report

U.S. Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Trends

The small-animal imaging (in vivo) market in the U.S. accounted for the largest market revenue share in North America in 2025. The factors responsible for the market growth in the country are the presence of leading research institutes, colleges, and medical companies. Heavy investments by major private companies in developing new drugs and therapies have increased demand for small animal imaging devices. Moreover, Increased funding by the government for medical research has also increased the demand for small animal imaging devices.

Europe Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Trends

The small-animal imaging (in vivo) market in Europe is anticipated to grow at a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period. This growth increased the demand for preclinical research to develop new drugs and therapies. Government investment in research and development has increased the demand for technologically advanced imaging devices to observe and study animals and their treatment responses. Furthermore, biotechnological and pharmaceutical institutes have increased the rate of research programs to develop new drugs with better efficiency and fewer side effects.

The UK small-animal imaging (in vivo) market is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period, due to the presence of developed pharmaceutical and medical infrastructure and the rise in preclinical research on cancer treatment and other diseases. Furthermore, increased government funding for drug and therapy research has increased demand for small-animal imaging devices.

Asia Pacific Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Trends

The small-animal imaging (in vivo) market in the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the development in the healthcare sector and the region's overall economic growth. There is also growth in the research sector due to heavy investments from the government and private investors. Furthermore, the rising prevalence of cancer and other diseases has increased the demand for research facilities. These factors have contributed to the market growth. Due to significant manufacturing facilities and growing demand for preclinical cancer research facilities, China held a substantial market share in the small animal imaging (in-vivo) industry. This has resulted in increased expenditures by the government and other companies to develop new drugs, which have contributed to the market growth in this country.

Key Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Company Insights

Some of the major companies in the small-animal imaging (in vivo) industry include Aspect Imaging Ltd, PerkinElmer, Inc., FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, and Miltenyi Biotec, among others. Companies are focusing on developing products that can aid in research and diagnostics through technological advancements, mergers, and acquisitions.

• PerkinElmer, Inc. is a company specializing in precision optics. The company operates in sectors such as computer systems, diagnostics, life sciences research, food, environmental, and industrial testing. Furthermore, the company manufactures analytical instruments, genetic testing equipment, medical imaging equipment, and software.
• Miltenyi Biotec is a biotechnology company that provides products and services for clinical researchers and scientists to use in research, translational research, and clinical applications. The services include spatial biology, sample separation, clinical applications, and small animal imaging.

Key Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the global small animal imaging (in-vivo) market:

• Aspect Imaging Ltd.

• PerkinElmer, Inc.

• FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

• Miltenyi Biotec

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• Bruker

• Siemens AG

• Promega Corporation

• Mediso

Recent Developments

• In May 2026, Bruker Corporation announced that the Champalimaud Foundation is utilizing its 18 Tesla ultra-high-field MRI system to advance neuroscience and oncology research. The deployment underscores the growing adoption of ultra-high-field MRI in preclinical imaging, enabling higher spatial resolution, improved tissue characterization, and enhanced translational research capabilities.
• In September 2025, Revvity Inc. launched Living Image Synergy AI, an AI-enabled multimodal analysis software for preclinical in vivo imaging. The platform integrates optical imaging, micro-CT, ultrasound, and other imaging modalities into a unified workflow, enabling faster image analysis, improved reproducibility, and enhanced data interpretation for preclinical researchers.
• In June 2025, FUJIFILM VisualSonics announced advancements to its Vevo F2 and Vevo LAZR-X imaging platforms, introducing enhanced capabilities for high-resolution ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in preclinical research. The innovations are designed to improve small animal imaging applications in oncology, cardiovascular research, and developmental biology, enabling more accurate and efficient in vivo imaging workflows.

Global Small Animal Imaging (In-vivo) Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global small animal imaging (in-vivo) market report based on the modality, application, and region:

• Modality Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Optical Imaging Systems

    • Bioluminescence Imaging

    • Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging

    • Fluorescence Imaging

  • Micro-magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Nuclear Imaging

    • Micro Positron Emission Tomography (Micro PET)

    • Micro Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (Micro SPECT)

  • Other Imaging Modalities

    • Micro Computerized Tomography Imaging

    • Micro Ultrasound Imaging

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Monitoring Drug Treatment Response

  • Biodistribution Studies

  • Cancer

  • Cell Detection

  • Biomarkers

  • Longitudinal Studies

  • Epigenetics

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait