Clinical Trial Imaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End Use (CROs, Pharmaceutical Companies), By Service, By Modality (CT Scan, Ultrasound, MRI), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2026

Industry Insights

The global clinical trial imaging market size was valued at USD 790.5 million in 2017. Growing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies coupled with increasing investments in the field of R&D for developing new drugs to cure diseases is one of the key trends escalating market growth. Besides this, rising number of contract research organizations (CROs) is providing an upthrust to the market.

Medical imaging plays an active role in clinical development of novel life science products. Although the medical imaging industry is in a constant state of fluctuation, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries continue to increase. This can be attributed to enhanced investment in medical imaging companies as well as mergers and acquisitions along with adoption of innovative imaging technologies to support clinical trials for medical devices. However, high cost of machinery and their installation and high capital required to run clinical trials can restrain the growth of the market.

Advancements in the technology are enabling substantial improvements in collection, evaluation, and submission of clinical trial imaging data. Technology-enabled imaging, especially image analysis software, offers numerous benefits, including data accuracy, consistency, adaptability, and compliance, to clinical studies. For instance, image analysis software is implemented to manage and direct a reader via analysis of imaging time point.

Increasing use of the technology along with enhanced power of computing is boosting the usage of imaging in clinical trials. The Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) protocol offers standardized methods as well as imaging procedures with uniform procedures that can be implemented to attain precise and statistical endpoints in clinical trials.

For improving image capturing and assessment, numerous technology patents are being filed. Apart from this, imaging core lab players are coming up with patented technologies to aid pharmaceutical companies in minimizing development timelines. For instance, IXICO provides a reading tool named Assessa, which aids in improved decision making in clinical trials for neurological disorders such as cognitive impairment, dementia, and diseases associated with memory such as Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Service Insights

The operational imaging services segment accounted for the largest share in the market in 2017. The segment is estimated to retain its position through 2026, thanks to core services provided by imaging CROs in support of Class I, II, III medical device trials and phase I-IV clinical trials.

Medical imaging is emerging as a critical endpoint in clinical trial study across varied therapeutic areas such as neurology, musculoskeletal, and oncology. As per NCBI, during the process of oncology drug development, CT scans along with other imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide response biomarkers, thus providing proof of effects and efficacy of drugs and treatments, respectively.

Modalities Insights

Computed tomography (CT) scan services was the largest segment in 2017, accounting for 29.0% of the overall clinical trial imaging market revenue. The growth of the segment can be attributed to extensive advantages CT offers such as study of drug activity and screenings for injuries, cancer (tumors), and abnormalities inside the body.

Computed tomography is a non-invasive medical procedure that makes use of X-Ray to generate cross-sectional images of body. CT scan provides a detailed information to plan treatment and examine abnormalities in children and adults. Radiological imaging combined with specific molecular assays acts as a valuable tool to help in the go or no-go decision in preclinical and clinical settings.

End-use Insights

Based on end use, contract research organizations (CROs) were at the forefront of the market in 2017. Snowballing cost of drug development along with increased research & development activities is contributing to the growth of the segment. In addition, mounting demand for outsourcing of research and development activities by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to reduce expenses is expected to bolster the growth of the market. Contract research outsourcing collaborations offer cutting edge services. Therefore, government organizations prefer handover of projects to CROs.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies segment is likely to witness a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period. Soaring need to develop new drug and therapies to cure chronic diseases is one of the primary factors supplementing the growth of the segment.

Rising competition from widening base of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies is making it necessary for manufacturers to provide best possible medicine/drug to end user. As a large number of innovative drug discoveries are being done by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, the need for clinical trial imaging is also increasing. This, in turn, is working in favor of the overall market.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market in 2017. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases combined with increasing geriatric population is poised to spur the growth of the regional market. Besides this, advancements in healthcare infrastructure are enabling faster diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. Government agencies in the United States pay for a large portion of clinical trials pertaining to cancer treatment. Owing to all these factors, the regional market is projected to maintain its position in the market throughout the forecast period.

Europe followed North America in 2017 in terms of revenue generation. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer's and rapidly growing geriatric population are fueling the adoption of clinical trial imaging techniques in this region. In addition, research laboratories are looking forward to reducing operational costs, leading to greater adoption of imaging in clinical trials.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. Increasing incidence of chronic diseases and soaring need for better diagnostic devices are stimulating the growth of the regional market. Apart from this, surging demand for specialized and quality healthcare facilities to improve patient’s life is estimated to boost market growth. The market is also driven by high theories on R&D activities by industry players.

Clinical Trial Imaging Market Share Insights

The market is highly competitive. Key participants include Bioclinica Inc.; Ixico PLC; Icon PLC; Navitas Life Sciences; Resonance Health; Worldcare Clinical LLC; Intrinsic Imaging LLC; Radiant Sage LLC; and Parexel International Corporation. Major players are frequently undertaking mergers & acquisitions to retain share and diversify product portfolio.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis on industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2026. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global clinical trial imaging market report on the basis of service, modalities, end-use, and region:

• Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)         

  • Clinical Trial Design and Consultation Services

  • Reading and Analytical Services

  • Operational Imaging Services

  • System and Technology Support Services

  • Project and Data Management

• Modalities Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)   

  • Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  • X-Ray

  • Ultrasound

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

  • Others (Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT)

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical companies

  • Medical Devices Manufacturers

  • Academic and Government Research Institutes

  • Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

  • Others (Cosmetics and skin care industries)

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia