Digital Pathology Market

Global Digital Pathology Market Size (2022 to 2027)

As per our analysis report, the global digital pathology market is projected to value USD 898.3 million by 2027 from USD 517.5 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.66% during the forecast period. 3DHistech Ltd, Mikroscan Technologies Inc., Nikon Corporation, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., and Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH are significant market participants and accounted for a significant digital pathology market share in 2020.

Digital pathology analyzes high-resolution digitized histological images, which can then use calculation tools and algorithms. Digital pathology also provides an image-based information environment that allows computer technology to manage the information generated by digital transparency. The field of digital pathology and full transparency digital image evaluation (WSI) has seen a massive increase in recent years. As a result, the speed and complexity of the equipment have been improved and provide a stable application platform for performing routine assessments and essential morphological characterization.

According to World Health Organization, only a few countries have pathology services available in public sectors. The food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Philips Digital Pathology clearance as primary surgical pathology, which is advantageous for Philips. The FDA has approved the first whole slide imaging system for digital pathology to make pathologists read and make clinical diagnoses strictly from digital images. However, pathology plays a vital role in performing laboratory tests. The whole slide imaging system is inferior to the light microscope.

MARKET DRIVERS:

Increased focus on improving the workflow and demand for faster diagnostic tools for chronic diseases like cancer, the growing old population, and the rising chronic disease prevalence is expected to drive the growth of the global digital pathology market.

Additionally, the rise in the prevalence of promoting quality services for poor people, advanced technology such as digital imaging, computerization, robotic light microscopy, and multiple fiber optics communications are further excelling in the market growth. Furthermore, the increasing use of scanners in pathology labs and the launch of innovative products in the medical sector to promote better diagnostic procedures also leverage the demand of the global digital pathology market.

Y-O-Y growth in cancer incidence worldwide is expected to boost the global digital pathology market growth.

According to the statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10 million deaths happened due to cancer worldwide in 2020, which was the leading cause of death. The most common cancer types are breast, lung, prostate, colon, and rectum.

Growing initiatives for the commercial exploitation of profitable digital pathology systems will likely provide service providers with growth opportunities during the forecast period. In addition, technological advancements and increasing research and development operations in digital pathology benefit market participants during the forecast period.

MARKET RESTRAINTS:

In the present situation, reimbursement failures, scarcity of expert staff, and the reluctance of older pathologists to choose new technologies hinder the growth of the digital pathology market. In addition, insufficient infrastructure or equipment impedes this market's development.

COVID-19 Impact on the global digital pathology market:

The COVID-19 outbreak has set new challenges for key market players, and the pandemic has positively impacted digital pathology services. Digital pathology plays a vital role in providing safeguarding clinical services to patients. Also, pathology-based research profoundly impacts market shares in the current situation. The digital pathology approaches are a new diagnosis procedure that evaluates surgical pathology slides from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE). In the peak time of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have found great digital pathology approaches in contacting patients without direct contact. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution to readily these consumer monitors. Also, FDA has approved other digital pathology solutions for the emergency use of COVID-19 cases. With the acceleration generated by COVID-19, the global digital pathology market is further estimated to grow at a much better growth rate during the forecast period. 

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global digital pathology market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on the type, product, application, end-user, and region.

Digital Pathology Market - By Type:

• Human Digital Pathology

• Animal Digital Pathology   

Based on type, the human pathology segment accounted for the most significant share in the global market in 2020 and is forecasted to register the most dominating share during the forecast period owing to the growing number of cancer research activities and the escalation of collaborations between university research institutes, universities and pathology laboratories.      

Digital Pathology Market - By Product:

• Scanners

• Software

• Communication Systems

• Storage Systems

Based on the product, the scanners segment was the market leader in 2020. The significant adoption of digital pathology solutions in various parts of the world accelerates the market's growth rate.

Due to user-friendly and advanced diagnostic facilities, the software segment will likely witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period.

Digital Pathology Market - By Application:

• Teleconsultation

• Disease Diagnosis

• Drug Discovery

• Training and Education

Based on application, the teleconsultation segment is predicted to lead the global digital pathology market and is likely to grow further during the forecast period. The lack of pathologists in developing countries and the growing need for quality and rapid diagnosis contribute to the growth of the digital pathology market.     

On the other hand, the drug discovery segment is expected to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast due to the increased availability of funding for research and development.

Digital Pathology Market - By End Users:

• Pharmaceutical Companies

• Hospitals

• Academic Institutes

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology segment leads the global market during the forecast period based on end-users. It is likely to grow further during the forecast period due to the implementation of digital pathology for biodiversity, biopharmaceutical studies, and molecular analysis.

Digital Pathology Market - By Region:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• The Middle East and Africa

Geographically, the North American digital pathology market is estimated to contribute the largest share to the global digital pathology market during the forecast period. This trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of digital pathology systems. Besides other factors, such as the availability of digital pathology products, most key players are the catalyzing factors responsible for market growth in North America. Highly developed North American countries such as the United States and Canada significantly boost this regional market and are the primary reason behind North America's leading spot.

The European digital pathology market is forecasted to be growing at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. Rising cancer incidence and increasing adoption of teleconsultations in this region are primarily driving this regional market. The U.K., followed by Germany, is expected to lead this regional market during the forecast period.

The digital pathology market in the Asia-Pacific is forecasted to grow at a high rate during the forecast period due to increased awareness of digital pathology systems, a vast patient pool with chronic and infectious diseases, and rising healthcare expenditure in the region.

The Latin American digital pathology market is expected to showcase a CAGR of 10.09% during the forecast period. Brazil, followed by Mexico, is expected to play a vital role in this regional market.

The digital pathology market in the Middle East and Africa is yet to gain its full potential and is estimated to grow at a growth rate of 10.06% from 2021 to 2026.

NOTABLE COMPANIES IN THE MARKET:

A few of the noteworthy companies operating in the global digital pathology market profiled in this report are Perkin Elmer, Inc., Definiens AG, Sectra AB, Koninklijke Philips N.V, G.E. Healthcare, Inspirata Co, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., Leica Biosystems, 3D-Histech Ltd, Hamamatsu Photonics and K.K., Digipath Co.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE DIGITAL PATHOLOGY MARKET:

• Product Approvals: In April 2020, SectraCompany received U.S. FDA clearance for 510(K) of digital pathology for primary diagnostics. Pathologists use this digital pathology for sitting at home and working without a microscope to get outcomes.

• Product Launches: In Jan 2017, Perkin Elmer launched a new Automated Quantitative Pathology Imaging System. This System, Vector Polaris, helps scientists research the immune system and learn about cancer cells.

• In March 2018, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, one of the leading players, launched VENTANA DP. It is a high-speed slide scanner for pathology and produces images of high quality.