Optical Imaging Agent Market

Optical Imaging Agent Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global optical imaging agent market was valued at US$ 1,500.0 million in 2023 and has been forecasted to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 8.1% to end up at US$ 3,533.2 million by 2034.

The phrase optical imaging presently denotes multiple methods that enable monitoring certain paths through the non-invasive way at the cell population level, some physiological conditions, and states above pathologies. On these grounds, photon detection in a visible range up to near-infrared wavelengths (400–1500 nm) is performed using various physical phenomena such as fluoresce detection, Lewin radiation, and fluorescence obtained from optical probes containing fluorescent and bio/chemiluminescent molecules among others.

These agents were developed for non-invasive assessment of both large-scale physiological events like vascularization or permeability as well as molecular events that include expression and activity determinations for specific proteins at a cellular level.

The market will show substantial growth as demand for these substances is growing in the area of early disease detection, imaging technologies are developing and these chemical agents have been widely applied in oncology, cardiology, and neurology.

Report Attributes	Details
Optical Imaging Agent Market Size (2023A)	US$ 1,500.0 Million
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 1,621.5 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 3,533.2 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	8.1% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024)	14.3%
China Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	9.2% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	NX Development Corp; GE Healthcare; Revvity; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc.; LI-COR, Inc.; FUJIFILM VisualSonics; Bayer AG; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; Diagnostic Green; Bracco Group; Other Prominent Players.

Historic Analysis (2019 to 2023) and Future (2024 to 2034) Pathway Analysis for the optical imaging agent market

The market saw significant growth in 2019 with the incorporation of fluorescence imaging and OCT (optical coherence tomography). Imaging agents have been widely used in cardiovascular procedures and cancer patients, the Indocyanine Green (ICG) was adopted by healthcare professionals for instantaneous surgical guidance and was widely preferred. The market was highly affected in 2020- 2021 because of the rules and regulations put forth by government bodies to prevent the spread of disease.

As the elective procedures and diagnostics procedures were temporarily paused, this hampered the market growth. The recovery in the healthcare industry led the manufacturers in high investment in research and development gained traction in molecular biology to understand diseases. Oncology field saw fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) gained interest in 2019-2023. This helped healthcare professionals to understand the pathology of healthy tissues and malignant cells.

• Short Term (2024 to 2028): Technological advancements in the field of oncology and cardiology persist, with the adoption of near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) hastened in the short term. Optical imaging agents were widely used in surgical procedures to understand the course in real-time. Innovation and product development in the field of imaging diagnostics thus drive the market growth in the short term.
• Medium Term (2028 to 2030): Companion diagnostics and precision medicine will be head over heels in the medium term as the tailored imaging solutions will be widely utilized in the diagnostics procedures. Machine learning and AI integration in healthcare will accelerate the market in the coming years. The leading players will produce more advanced solutions globally which will drive the market growth. The development of non-invasive imaging agents will thus create wide growth opportunities in diagnostics procedures.
• Long Term (2030 to 2034): There will be an evident expansion of imaging agents in emerging markets such as the Middle East& Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. As these regions prioritize advanced healthcare infrastructure the market will see growth in the long term.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the Optical Imaging Agent market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period from 2024-2034, According to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

What are the Factors Propelling Global Sales of Optical Imaging Agents?

“Sedentary Lifestyle to Propel Global Sales”

Millions of people have been impacted by the sedentary lifestyle due to their long-standing work hours, this has led to people feeling lethargic, and physical inactivity has been ruling in all demographics. Physical inactivity can cause several diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal diseases.

Among these cardiovascular and oncology hold the highest importance in early treatment and management of these life-threatening diseases. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases require immense diagnostics procedures where optical imaging agents are widely used. For instance, in a published study in the Lancet Global Health Journal in 2024, 1.8 billion individuals were unable to meet the physical activity requirements.

“Rise in Chronic Diseases to Have Positive Impact on the Market Value”

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer are the most common non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are life-threatening, optical imaging agents play a key role in disease diagnosis for further management of diseases. According to the World Heart Federation (WHF) 2023, there are on average 20.1 Mn people lost their lives due to cardiovascular diseases every year. Though, heart diseases can be mortal however, 80% of the diseases can be intercepted in early phase.

This interception can focus on managing the disease early and increase the average life span of the patients by using drugs, devices, and instruments which play a crucial role in maintaining the disease progression. The increase in early diagnostics can boost the demand for the optical imaging agent market. Early detection, therapy monitoring, and personalized treatment are set to propel the growth of optical imaging agent market in the forecast period.

What are the Challenges Encountered by Manufacturers of Optical Imaging Agents?

“Regulatory Hurdles and Cost of Development to Hamper Market Growth”

Manufacturers have been investing vigorously in research and development activities to develop new technologies and drugs to hold their market position. Similarly, to launch any product in the market or to increase the indication areas for existing product, it has to go through certain rules and regulations as per each countries’ guidelines. Countries' government bodies have created specific regulatory frameworks to make the product available to the end-use industry.

FDA and EMEA adhere to their strict guidelines to guarantee the efficacy and safety of optical imaging agents before they enter the market. These requirements go through important GMP (Goods Manufacturing Practices) and exhaustive clinical trial activities. The high investment cost in developing certain products in the market will be challenging for start-ups and to some extent for the leading players.

These stringent regulations and high development costs before the commercialization of optical imaging agents will hamper the market growth in the forecast period.

Country-wise Insights

Why is Adoption of Optical Imaging Agent High in the United States?

“High Prevalence of Deadly Diseases to Demand Optical Imaging Agents”

The market in the United States is estimated at US$ 523.5 million in 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2034. This market is projected to generate a US$ 525.8 million absolute opportunity from 2024 to 2034.

A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, genetic inheritance, and physical inactivity are the prime factors in gene mutations that cause cancer. Obesity and excessive consumption of tobacco can risk one’s life by Cancer. Cancer affects more than 18.0 Mn individuals in America, according to states American Cancer Society in 2021. The number keeps on adding up each year and the count of death per day is estimated to be 1,680.

As of 2024, it is estimated that 2 Mn individuals will be diagnosed with cancer. Cancer diagnosed at early stages is preventable and manageable. On average American Cancer Society 2024, newly diagnosed cancer cases i.e. 42% of the overall population are preventable. Cancer screening can lead to the adoption of optical imaging agents which further drive the North American market.

Why is China a Lucrative Market for Optical Imaging Agent Manufacturers?

“Government Initiatives Enhance Quality of Life”

China has been focusing on improving each individual's quality of life by investing rigorously in healthcare reform programs. High Investment in developing healthcare infrastructure and policy structure has made new entrants and market leaders enter the Chinese market with ease.

This causes an increase in demand for optical imaging agents to combat deadly disorders in the coming years. The adoption of imaging agents in the management of cardiovascular, surgical oncology, and neurovascular disorders is thus driving the market in China.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Contrast Agents Widely Preferred for the Early Diagnosis of Diseases?

“Positive Results on Using Contrast Agents in Visualizing Disease Course”

Demand for contrast agents is projected to increase at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2034. Contrast Agent segment holds 41.3% market share in 2024 in the global market. Adoption of contrast agents in imaging techniques helps healthcare professionals to understand the depth of any diseases for therapeutic and management purposes is driving the segment in the global market. Increasing use of contrast agents in diagnostics procedures with imaging technologies is set to drive the market. Further, the technological advancement in contrast imaging agents in North America and Europe will certainly show a leap in the forecast period.

Why Does Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging (NIRF) Account High Market Share in the Optical Imaging Agent?

“Minimally Invasive Procedures are taking a Northward Direction”

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) is estimated to account for a 33.2% share of the market in 2024, and the segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2034-end. The rise in the application of NIRF modality in sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNP) and tumor resection is driving segmental growth in the global market. NIRF is showing promising growth due to its advantages over proper visualization of the tumor margins, and vascular tissues and showing real-time imaging.

Which field of Study Hold the Highest Market Share in the Optical Imaging Agent in 2024?

Cancer has been the most worrisome disease of all time. Many Families have lost their loved ones to cancer. A high understanding of signs and symptoms and early diagnosis of disease drives the oncology segment in the global market. Cancer is preventable when treated as early as possible, adoption of imaging agents in the field is set to drive the market growth. High investment in research and development of cancer therapeutics and diagnostics will demand advanced therapies and an understanding of the market. The oncology segment holds a 44.5% market share in the global optical imaging market.

Why will Diagnostics Imaging Centers have Increased Usage of Optical Imaging Agents?

Each long-standing disease undergoes numerous diagnostics procedures to understand the course of the disease to further plan a treatment course. Optical Imaging agents play an important role in understanding the organs affected or tissues to manage various diseases. Diagnostics centers have an immense inflow of procedural count. Imaging agents are widely preferred in chronic diseases. This drives the global market. Diagnostics imaging centers hold a 47.5% market share in the global optical imaging agents market.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the optical imaging agent market are NX Development Corp, GE Healthcare, Revvity, Astellas Pharma Inc., Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc., LI-COR, Inc., FUJIFILM VisualSonics, Bayer AG, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostic Green, Bracco Group.

Companies devote a significant portion of their revenue to R&D to resolve problems and offer creative solutions to draw in new customers and stay competitive. Companies are developing customized offerings for issues that meet industry-specific needs to compete with other players.

• In April 2024, Lumicell received FDA approval for Optical Imaging Agent Platform LUMISIGHT™ & Direct Visualization System for Detection of Residual Breast Cancer

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of optical imaging agents positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Optical Imaging Agent Industry Research

• By Product Type :

  • Fluorescent Imaging Agents
  • Contrast Agents
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

• By Modality :

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging (NIRF)
  • Photoacoustic Imaging

• By Application :

  • Oncology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology

• By End User :

  • Hospitals & Clinics
  • Diagnostic Imaging Centers
  • Academic & Research Institutes

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa