세계의 핵의학 장비 시장 규모는 2024년 33억 달러에 달했습니다. IMARC Group은 향후 시장 규모가 2033년까지 54억 달러에 이를 전망이며, 2025-2033년 성장률(CAGR)은 5.56%로 성장할 것으로 예측했습니다. 이 시장은 만성 질환의 치료 및 조기 진단에 대한 요구가 증가함에 따라 현저한 성장을 이루고 있습니다. 또한 신흥국 시장과 선진국 시장 모두 이미징 기술의 혁신과 의료 분야, 특히 종양학 및 신경학 용도에 대한 투자 증가가 시장을 더욱 확대하고 있습니다.
하이브리드 이미징 시스템 채택 증가
세계의 핵의학 장비 시장에서 주목할만한 동향은 SPECT 및 PET와 같은 하이브리드 이미징 솔루션의 채택이 증가하고 있다는 것입니다. 업계 보고서에 따르면 2024년 2월 인도 PGIMER가 최첨단 PET 및 CT 기반 생검을 개발하여 전립선암 진단에 95%의 성공률을 보였습니다. 이러한 첨단 기술은 해부학 및 기능적 이미지를 융합시켜 심혈관 장애 및 암과 같은 복잡한 질병의 진단 정확도를 향상시킵니다. 게다가, 이러한 시스템을 도입함으로써, 헬스케어 전문가는 질병의 진행을 더 잘 모니터링할 수 있어, 보다 효율적인 치료 전략이 가능해집니다. 게다가 이러한 하이브리드 시스템에 대한 경향은 진단 도구 업그레이드에 대한 수요 부진을 부각시키고 시장 성장을 가속하고 이미징 기술의 추가 연구개발 활동을 촉진합니다.
이용이 진행되는 분자 이미징
핵의학 장비 시장 조사 보고서에 따르면 분자 이미징은 세계 시장에서 빠르게 기세를 늘리고 있습니다. 이 동향은 주로 분자 및 세포 활동의 상세한 분석을 제공하는 이 기술의 능력에 의해 초래되며, 특히 심장병학, 종양학, 신경학에서 질병의 조기 발견에 도움이 됩니다. 게다가, 분자 이미징 기술은 보다 정확한 진단을 가능하게 하며 전반적으로 맞춤화된 치료법을 지원합니다. 예를 들어, 2024년 2월, 북미 방사선 학회의 연구자들은 유방암 검출을 위한 고감도 분자 이미징 기술을 개발하여 위양성의 가능성을 줄였습니다. 또한, 이러한 검사에 사용되는 방사성 의약품의 효율성을 높이는 연구가 계속되고 있기 때문에 분자 이미징 수요는 급증할 것으로 예상되어 시장의 중요한 동향이 되고 있습니다.
방사성 의약품 채용 확대
핵의학 장비 시장 보고서에 따르면 방사성 의약품의 채용 확대는 세계 시장의 주요 동향 중 하나입니다. 방사성 의약품은 특히 특정 만성질환이나 암의 치료 및 진단 용도에 중요한 역할을 하고 있습니다. 또한, 부작용의 저감 및 표적 약제 강화 등 방사성 의약품 개발에 있어서 기술 혁신에 의해 핵치료나 화상 진단의 유효성이 향상되고 있습니다. 또한 의료 서비스 제공업체는 현재 치료뿐만 아니라 진단 절차에서도 이러한 화합물에 의존하고 있으며, 그 결과 이러한 고급 약물을 효율적으로 활용하는 핵의학 장비에 대한 수요를 끌어 올리고 있습니다. 예를 들어 주요 기업인 Eli Lily는 2024년 8월 방사성 의약품인 암 치료제에 필요한 방사성 화합물의 안정 공급을 확보하기 위해 핵 아이소토프 제조업계에서 사업 확대를 발표했습니다. 확장 전략으로 이 회사는 아이소토프 공급업체인 Ionetix에 1,000만 달러를 투자했습니다.
The global nuclear medicine equipment market size reached USD 3.3 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 5.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56% during 2025-2033. The market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing need for chronic diseases treatment and early diagnosis. Moreover, innovations in imaging technologies and heightening investments in healthcare sector, especially in oncology and neurology applications across both emerging and developed region, is further expanding the market.
Increasing Adoption of Hybrid Imaging Systems
A notable trend in the global nuclear equipment market is the increasing adoption of hybrid imaging solutions such as SPECT and PET. As per industry reports, in February 2024, PGIMER, India, developed a cutting-edge PET/CT-based biopsy that exhibited 95% success rate for prostate cancer diagnosis. Such advanced technologies blend anatomical and functional imaging, offering improved precision in diagnosing complicated diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. In addition, the incorporation of such systems allows healthcare professionals to better monitor the progression of disease, resulting in a more efficient treatment strategy. Moreover, this inclination towards hybrid systems highlights the fueling demand for upgraded diagnostics tools, spurring market growth and fostering further research and development activities in imaging techniques.
Increasing Utilization Molecular Imaging
According to the nuclear medicine equipment market research report, molecular imaging is rapidly gaining momentum in the global market. This trend is primarily driven by the technology's capability to offer detailed analysis of molecular as well as cellular activity, which assists in early disease detection, especially in cardiology, oncology, and neurology. In addition, molecular imaging technologies are permitting more accurate diagnoses, supporting the overall customized treatment methods. For instance, in February 2024, researchers from the Radiological Society of North America developed a molecular imaging technology that offers high sensitivity for breast cancer detection with lowered chances of false positive results, i.e. 16% false positive rate in comparison to MRI's 62%. Moreover, as research continues to enhance the efficiency of radiopharmaceuticals leveraged in such procedures, the requirement for molecular imaging is anticipated to soar, establishing it as a critical trend in the market.
Heightened Adoption of Radiopharmaceuticals.
As per the nuclear medicine equipment market report, the amplifying adoption of radiopharmaceuticals is one of the key trends in the global market. Radiopharmaceuticals play a crucial role in therapeutic as well as diagnostic applications, especially for certain chronic disorders and cancer. Moreover, innovations in radiopharmaceutical development, such as lowered side effects and enhanced targeting agents, are improving the efficacy of nuclear therapy and imaging. In addition, healthcare providers are currently dependent of such compounds for treatment as well as diagnosis procedures, which is resultantly boosting the demand for nuclear medicine equipment that are efficient in leveraging such advanced agents. For instance, in August 2024, Eli Lily, a leading pharmaceutical company, announced its expansion in nuclear isotope production industry to secure a steady supply of radioactive compounds requisite for radiopharmaceutical oncology drugs. As an expansion strategy, the company invested USD 10 million into Ionetix, an isotope supplier.
Single-photon emission computed tomography accounts for the majority of the market share
According to the nuclear medicine equipment market forecast, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is anticipated to sustain its dominance as the largest product segment. Standalone SPECT systems offer essential functional imaging, broadly leveraged in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Whereas, hybrid SPECT systems merge both functional and anatomical imaging, providing enhanced diagnostics precision by offering more insightful images. Moreover, the incorporation of hybrid imaging systems in rapidly adopted, especially in complicated diagnostics conditions, further boosting market demand. In addition, the accuracy provided by hybrid SPECT systems is significantly fueling their adoption in emerging as well as developed healthcare markets. For instance, in March 2024, Spectrum Dynamics Medical announced the successful installation of its new, innovative, digital SPECT/CT VERITON-CT 400 at a European cancer center. It is a hybrid SPECT/CT that can efficiently detect and locate tumors in the body.
Oncology holds the largest share of the industry
As per the nuclear medicine equipment market overview, oncology represents the dominant application segment, majorly due to the increasing demand for nuclear imaging technologies such as SPECT and PET in cancer treatment as well as diagnosis. Such systems facilitate the early detection of cancerous tissues and the observation of treatment efficiency through accurate molecular imaging. In addition, the heightening prevalence of cancer worldwide, combined with advancements in radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine, continues to bolster the demand for oncology-specific imaging equipment, establishing oncology as a major growth segment in the global nuclear medicine market. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 5 individuals are detected with cancer in their lifetime, while around 1 in 12 women and 1 in men die from this disease.
Hospitals represent the leading market segment
Hospitals are the largest end-user segment that significantly contributes to the nuclear medicine equipment market revenue. As healthcare institutions with the robust infrastructure to maintain the sophisticated therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, hospitals rapidly dependent on cutting-edge imaging technologies such as PET and SPECT for precise treatment as well as diagnosis. In addition, the incorporation of nuclear medicine equipment into hospital ecosystem is requisite for enhancing patient care and outcome, especially in neurology, oncology, and cardiology. Moreover, the magnifying adoption of innovative nuclear imaging technologies and heightening investments in hospital-based imaging centers are bolstering growth within this crucial market segment.
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest nuclear medicine equipment market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for nuclear medicine equipment.
North America has emerged as the leading regional market in, majorly driven by its robust healthcare infrastructure, early adoption of cutting-edge technologies and elevated healthcare expenditure. The United States, particularly, is at the forefront chiefly due to the high prevalence of chronic disorders such cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which accelerate the demand for nuclear imaging significantly. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that in 2024 total 2,001,140 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S., and around 611,720 individuals will die from this disease. In addition, government funds for research and development, coupled with the presence of key industry players, further fortifies North America's dominance in the global nuclear medicine equipment market.