Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market Size Analysis:

The Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market Size was valued at USD 1.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 2.27 billion by 2032 and grow at a CAGR of 7.76% over the forecast period 2024-2032. This report points towards the shifting imaging modality trends in regions due to advancing technology and growing research applications. Research funding and investment trends, as well as increasing healthcare and preclinical research expenditures in key markets, determine the application of advanced imaging solutions. Moreover, it also delves into market penetration and rising acceptance of small animal imaging technologies, driven by AI, automation, imaging accuracy, and efficiency-boosting innovations. The report further evaluates regulatory and compliance patterns impacting market development, influencing product approvals, and standardization in preclinical research.

Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market Dynamics

Drivers

• The small animal imaging (in vivo) market is driven by rising demand for preclinical research, advancements in imaging technologies, and increasing investments in drug discovery.

The increasing burden of chronic illnesses like cancer and neurological diseases has driven the pace of research on small animal models, increasing the demand for high-resolution imaging modalities such as PET, MRI, and optical imaging. Advances in technology, including AI-assisted imaging, hybrid imaging devices (PET/CT, PET/MRI), and high-field MRI, have greatly enhanced diagnostic precision and effectiveness. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are heavily investing in preclinical trials, with global pharma R&D expenditure hitting USD 238 billion in 2022. The growing use of molecular imaging methods for drug efficacy testing and biomarker studies has also driven market growth. Government programs, including NIH funding for biomedical imaging research, also aid in market growth. In addition, the emergence of contract research organizations (CROs) that provide imaging services has increased the availability of advanced imaging for researchers. The confluence of 3D and 4D imaging, coupled with AI-powered image analysis, is transforming preclinical research and rendering small animal imaging more effective and informative. All these, in turn, are driving the small animal imaging market to expand rapidly, which makes it an integral part of preclinical drug development.

Restraints

• The high cost of imaging systems and operational expenses remain significant restraints in the small animal imaging (in vivo) market.

Next-generation imaging devices like micro-MRI and PET/SPECT scanners have a price range of USD 200,000 to USD 2 million and are thus budget-inhibitable for small-scale research laboratories and educational institutions. The maintenance as well as the running expenses of these advanced pieces of equipment additionally load research units. The necessity of trained technical staff to utilize and interpret the imaging data further hinders use, as research adoption is stunted by inadequacies of skilled personnel. Regulatory restrictions also hinder small animal imaging research, since adherence to animal welfare regulations (e.g., AAALAC, IACUC guidelines) increases the complexity and duration of research studies. In addition, the limited availability of radiotracers for nuclear imaging modalities (PET/SPECT) restricts their widespread use. Data storage and processing capacity are also limiting factors since high imaging data sets need large amounts of computational resources. Researchers tend to have a hard time standardizing imaging protocols between laboratories, and thus it is challenging to compare studies. These operational and cost hurdles, combined with regulatory and logistical hurdles, hinder market penetration and the availability of sophisticated imaging technologies in preclinical research.

Opportunities

• The expansion of AI-driven imaging solutions, increasing demand for personalized medicine, and rising investments in preclinical research offer substantial opportunities for the small animal imaging (in vivo) market.

The use of AI and machine learning algorithms in imaging analysis facilitates quicker and more precise image processing, lowering the possibility of human error and increasing efficiency. Increased interest in precision medicine has created a higher demand for imaging methods to give sophisticated molecular and functional information regarding disease development. Additionally, the creation of portable and affordable imaging technologies, like benchtop MRI scanners and miniaturized optical imaging tools, is bringing sophisticated imaging within the reach of smaller research institutions. Increased use of multimodal imaging, where PET, MRI, and optical imaging are combined for complete disease modeling, is another highly profitable opportunity area. The growth in CROs that provide imaging services also lowers the burden on individual research centers, thus facilitating wider implementation of advanced imaging modalities. Government support and funding for biomedical research and drug discovery also provide an impetus for market growth. New contrast agents and radiotracers further improve imaging capability, creating new research opportunities in oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular research.

Challenges

• The small animal imaging (in vivo) market faces challenges related to data standardization, ethical concerns, and technological integration.

One of the main challenges is the absence of standardization in imaging protocols, resulting in variability in data interpretation among different research centers. This hinders the ability to compare study outcomes and verify findings, thereby slowing scientific progress. Ethical issues related to animal research are also a challenge, as tighter controls on animal testing have resulted in more scrutiny and restrictions on preclinical imaging studies. The technical and operational challenges presented by the complexity of multimodal imaging systems, including the need for sophisticated synchronization of MRI, PET, SPECT, and optical imaging, present technical and operational challenges. The processing times of long durations for high-resolution imaging data slow down research workflows. Researchers also encounter false positives and false negatives in imaging findings, affecting the validity of preclinical studies. The scarcity of certain radiotracers for small animal PET/SPECT imaging further adds to the challenge of research. Yet another issue is scalability in the form of AI-powered imaging software since most research institutes are not equipped to implement high-performance computing to support real-time analysis of images. It demands mutual coordination between technology suppliers, regulatory authorities, and researchers in improving the reliability and efficiency of imaging.

Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market Segmentation Analysis

By Modality

Optical imaging systems dominated the market in 2023 with a share of 36.6% due to their relative sensitivity, affordability, and real-time imaging. They are used extensively for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging to facilitate non-invasive tracking of disease status, gene expression, and drug activity. Preclinical oncology studies and molecular imaging research have increasingly contributed to reinforcing their market leadership.

The micro-MRI segment is anticipated to be the most rapidly growing modality as it offers higher soft tissue contrast and high-resolution anatomical detail capability. Increasing requirements of longitudinal research and studies of neurological diseases have fueled the uptake of micro-MRI. Further, improvements in high-field MRI systems and contrast agents are increasing their usage, mainly in brain imaging and functional evaluation.

By Application

The segment of biodistribution studies led the market with a share of 31.8% in 2023, mainly due to its pivotal position in drug development and pharmacokinetic studies. Researchers widely utilize imaging methods to follow the distribution of therapeutic drugs, nanoparticles, and gene therapies in small animals. The growing requirement for accurate formulation assessments of drugs and regulatory demand for preclinical drug trials have also driven it to be the market leader.

The segment of cancer cell detection is anticipated to see the most growth with the increased incidence of cancer and the heightened need for tumor imaging at an early stage. Small animal imaging modalities, especially optical imaging and PET/SPECT, find extensive application in tumor localization, tracking response to treatment, and evaluating metastasis. The expansion in oncology drug development investment and personalized medicine strategies is expected to propel explosive growth in this segment.

Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market Regional Insights

North America was the leading market for small animal imaging (in vivo) in 2023, with a market share of 36.1%, facilitated by its established biotechnology and pharmaceutical research base, sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, and heavy investment in preclinical research. The presence of world-class research institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and premier imaging technology providers further enhanced the position of the region. The voluminous use of advanced imaging modalities, including optical imaging, micro-MRI, and nuclear imaging, is driven by mounting funding for drug discovery, cancer research, and studies of neurological disorders. Moreover, government efforts, including NIH funding for biomedical imaging, continue to drive market growth.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market due to increasing investments in preclinical research, the increasing number of CROs, and rising demand for advanced imaging technologies in drug discovery. China, Japan, and India are experiencing high growth in life sciences research, backed by government support and private-sector partnerships. In addition, the reduced cost of preclinical trials and an increasing focus on precision medicine and personalized treatments are drawing international pharmaceutical firms to open up research activities in the region. This explosive growth makes Asia-Pacific a central driver for the future growth of the small animal imaging market.

Key Players and Their Small Animal Imaging Products

• Aspect Imaging Ltd. – M-Series, GeoMRI

• PerkinElmer, Inc. – IVIS Spectrum Series, Quantum GX2 MicroCT Imaging System

• FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation – VisualSonics Vevo 3100, VisualSonics Vevo LAZR-X

• Miltenyi Biotec – MACSQuant Analyzer Series, UltraMicroscope II

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. – Amira-Avizo Software, CellInsight CX7 LZR

• Bruker – BioSpec MRI Series, Albira Si

• Siemens AG – Inveon, SimPET

• Promega Corporation – NanoLuc, GloMax

• Mediso – nanoScan PET/MRI, nanoScan SPECT/CT

• TriFoil Imaging – InSyTe FLECT/CT, InSyTe PET/CT

Recent Developments in the Small Animal Imaging (In Vivo) Market

• In Dec 2024, Siemens Healthineers completed the acquisition of Advanced Accelerator Applications Molecular Imaging, expanding its PETNET Solutions network. This acquisition adds 13 manufacturing sites across Europe and enhances radiopharmaceutical distribution in Switzerland, complementing its existing 47 radiopharmacies in the U.S.