The global preclinical imaging market comprises equipment used in research activities across various end-use industries including pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, academic & government institutes, and contract research organizations (CROs). Preclinical imaging instruments including optical imaging systems, nuclear imaging systems, micro-MRI systems, micro-CT systems, and micro-ultrasound systems help obtain high-resolution anatomical and functional information about biological processes in living subjects. The use of preclinical imaging solutions helps reduce drug development costs and time by enabling non-invasive sequential monitoring of disease progression or treatment response in small animal models. The rising R&D investments by pharmaceutical & biotechnology players and growing outsourcing of preclinical research to CROs has driven the demand for preclinical imaging solutions over the years.

The Global preclinical imaging market is estimated to be valued at US$ 4.25 BN in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Key Takeaways

Key players operating in the global preclinical imaging market are Bruker Corporation, Siemens A.G., General Electric (GE), TriFoil Imaging, PerkinElmer, Inc., VisualSonics Inc. (Fujifilm), Inc., Mediso Ltd., Agilent Technologies, MILabs B.V., MR Solutions, and Molecubes. These players are focused on developing advanced preclinical imaging systems with high resolution and multimodal capabilities to gain a competitive edge in the market.

The growing R&D investments and discovery of newer disease indications offer significant growth opportunities for players in the Preclinical Imaging Market Demand. Moreover, the development of customized or disease-specific small animal models will further drive research activities, boosting demand.

The preclinical imaging market is witnessing rapid global expansion driven by rising pharmaceutical outsourcing to Asia Pacific region. Countries like China, India, and South Korea are emerging as global centers for preclinical research due to availability of low-cost and high-quality CRO services. This will further augment the demand for preclinical imaging solutions across fast-growing Asian markets over the forecast period.

Market Drivers

Rising pharmaceutical R&D activities is a key driver propelling growth of the global preclinical imaging market. Pharmaceutical players are increasingly utilizing preclinical imaging solutions for exploratory research, target validation, lead optimization and evaluation of drug candidates in small animals. This enables early assessment of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and safety of novel molecules before clinical trials on humans. Such vital applications of preclinical imaging in drug development are expected to continue boosting market revenues through 2031.