Global Whole Slide Imaging Market Size, Segmentation, Trends and Growth Analysis Forecast by 2030

Whole Slide Imaging Market Overview and Analysis:

The Global Whole Slide Imaging market size is expected to grow from USD 1.14 billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of 6.39% during the forecast period, 2023-2030.

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Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) is a digital pathology technique that involves capturing high-resolution, entire tissue specimen slides and converting them into digital images. These digital representations of tissue samples include all the microscopic details and structures present on the glass slides, allowing for comprehensive and accurate examination and analysis of the tissue at different magnifications. WSI enables pathologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to view, store, share, and analyze pathology slides electronically, facilitating remote consultations, research, education, and archival purposes. This technology has transformed the field of pathology by offering an efficient and digitized approach to diagnosing diseases and studying tissue samples

The key factors propelling the whole slide imaging (WSI) market are an increase in research and development in drug discovery processes, technological advancements in whole slide imaging, and the rising popularity of virtual slides compared to physical slides. Also, the increasing incidence of cancer is expected to drive the growth of the overall market since advanced image analysis can lead to automated examination of histopathology images, which is essential for fast cancer diagnosis.

Market Segmentation:

The Whole Slide Imaging Market is Segmented

By Technology :

• Scanners
• IT Infrastructure
• Viewer
• Image Management System

Application :

• Telepathology
• Cytopathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Hematopathology

End User :

• Academic Institute
• Research
• Others

Geography :

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Middle East
• Africa
• South America

The report offers the value (in USD million) for the above segments.

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Whole Slide Imaging Market Latest Trends:

The adoption of Whole Slide Imaging continues to expand, driven by technological advancements, regulatory support, and increased awareness of its potential benefits. WSI is transforming pathology, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enabling new avenues of research and healthcare delivery. As technology and best practices in digital pathology continue to evolve, the field is expected to experience further growth and innovation. WSI is transforming medical education. Digital slides are being integrated into curricula, enabling students to access a broader range of cases and practice diagnostic skills using virtual microscopy. Thus, these market trends are fuelling the studied market growth.

Market Drivers :

Growing Popularity of Virtual Slides as Compared to Physical Slides

The shift towards the popularity of virtual slides, facilitated by Whole Slide Imaging technology, is transforming the field of pathology and medical imaging. This transition offers benefits such as improved accessibility, storage efficiency, remote diagnostics, enhanced education, and streamlined research processes. As technology continues to advance and healthcare systems adapt, the trend toward virtual slides and WSI is expected to further grow and shape the future of pathology and medical diagnostics.

Technological Development and Increase in Research and Developmen

The market is poised for growth in the upcoming years, primarily due to an uptick in research endeavors and the strategic actions taken by key industry players. These factors are expected to significantly contribute to the market's expansion during the study period. For example, in March 2023, OptraSCAN, a comprehensive digital pathology solution provider, introduced the OnDemand Digital Pathology solution, marking a significant milestone in the complete digital transformation of pathology laboratories across North America. This strategic move is set to enhance the adoption of digital pathology solutions in the region, driving market growth. Furthermore, the utilization of whole slide imaging (WSI) in the assessment of various chronic diseases is predicted to fuel demand for WSI technology, thus playing a pivotal role in bolstering market growth. As an illustration of this, a June 2022 article published in PubMed highlighted the valuable role of whole slide imaging-based systems in digitally assessing frozen sections at cancer centers. This application of WSI in the context of chronic diseases demonstrates its increasing relevance and potential to shape the market's trajectory in the coming years.

Market Restraints :

High Cost of Whole Slide Imaging Systems and Stringent Government Regulations

The high cost of WSI systems and stringent government regulations present hurdles to the market's growth, these challenges are being met with ongoing innovation and adaptation. Government health and regulatory agencies often impose stringent quality and validation standards for the use of digital pathology technologies, including WSI. Meeting these standards can be time-consuming and costly for manufacturers, leading to increased costs passed on to users. As a result, the growth of the market is expected to slow down over the forecast period.

COVID-19 Impact on Whole Slide Imaging Market

The global whole slide imaging market underwent a substantial transformation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily driven by an uptick in research efforts employing whole slide imaging (WSI) to detect and study COVID-19 strains. This shift was exemplified in a March 2023 publication in PubMed, wherein the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services temporarily waived the requirement for pathologists to conduct diagnostic tests exclusively in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-licensed facilities during the pandemic. This move facilitated the rapid adoption of WSI in various surgical pathology subspecialties across the United States. Consequently, the heightened demand and widespread incorporation of WSI in laboratory settings had a significant impact on the market's growth during the pandemic. Looking ahead, the market is poised to experience robust expansion due to ongoing advancements in whole slide imaging technology and an increasing emphasis on research and development utilizing WSI techniques.

Segmental Analysis :

Telepathology Segment is Expected to Grow Significantly Over the Forecast Period

Telepathology refers to the practice of conducting remote pathology assessments through telecommunication links, enabling the electronic transmission of digital pathology images. It serves various purposes, including primary diagnosis, second opinion consultations, quality assurance, education, and research.

The telepathology sector is poised for significant growth, primarily driven by the rising adoption of telepathology in diverse medical departments, increased product launches, and strategic collaborations. For example, in August 2022, Tribun Health, a prominent European digital pathology software developer, partnered with Mindpeak, a global leader in pathology AI software, to facilitate the analysis of whole-slide-images (WSI) of immunohistochemically (IHC) stained human breast cancer tissue. This collaboration aimed to detect, classify, count cancer cells, and provide quantitative scores, showcasing the evolving landscape of telepathology.

Similarly, in August 2022, Diagnexia, a telepathology care provider under Deciphex, joined forces with Saudi Ajal Medical Laboratories, a company specializing in medical laboratory products in Saudi Arabia. Their strategic collaboration aimed to offer expert consultation telepathology services in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, telepathology offers prompt access to expert anatomic pathology consultations for facilities lacking in-house or specialized pathologists, further boosting its adoption. For instance, a March 2023 article published in PubMed highlighted the decreased incidence of contradictory diagnoses among pathologists familiar with frozen sections or telepathology. This underscores the growing acceptance of telepathology services among researchers, driving increased demand and, subsequently, the market's growth in the foreseeable future.

IT Infrastructure Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period

The integration of IT infrastructure with Whole Slide Imaging has brought a wave of innovation to the field of pathology. While it offers numerous advantages in terms of data management, remote access, and collaboration, it also presents challenges related to costs, interoperability, and data security. As healthcare institutions continue to adopt WSI, they must invest in robust and secure IT infrastructure to fully harness the potential of digital pathology for improved patient care and diagnostics. IT infrastructure facilitates remote access to digital pathology images, enabling pathologists to collaborate and provide consultations from anywhere in the world. Telepathology, which relies on IT infrastructure, has become a valuable tool for remote diagnostics and consultations. Thus, the segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.

North America Region is Expected to Witness Significant growth Over The Forecast Period

The North American market is poised for substantial expansion within the field under consideration, driven by various factors. One significant contributor to this growth is the increasing investment in drug discovery and development processes, coupled with a surge in strategic product launches by key industry players. Furthermore, the market in North America is expected to receive a boost from the United States government's heightened focus on healthcare support and the issuance of new guidelines pertaining to Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) in toxicological studies. For instance, in May 2023, the FDA issued comprehensive guidance on the utilization of whole slide imaging in nonclinical toxicology studies. This guidance, presented in a question-and-answer format, addresses critical issues such as the validation of whole slide imaging systems and the preservation of image integrity.

Given that nonclinical laboratory investigations frequently involve histopathological evaluations utilizing WSI, the release of such guidelines is expected to enhance the quality of WSI procedures conducted by researchers, thus fostering demand for the market in North America. Moreover, the region's market is also expected to benefit from the increased acquisition of WSI equipment by major universities. For instance, in May 2021, the University of Chicago acquired a state-of-the-art Olympus VS200 Slideview Research Slide Scanner from Olympus Corporation. This scanner, used as part of a drop-off service, offers whole-slide, widefield scanning capabilities, enabling the imaging of full-color histology and fluorescent slides at various magnifications.

Similarly, in March 2022, Leica Microsystems introduced Mica, one of the pioneering Microhubs. A Microhub represents an innovative, fully integrated imaging solution that leverages machine learning software, automation tools, and unique fluorescence unmixing techniques to streamline the imaging workflow for researchers, irrespective of their level of microscopy expertise. In conclusion, the combination of government recommendations and strategic product launches by key industry players is expected to drive substantial growth in the North American market over the projected study period.

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Whole Slide Imaging Market Competitive Landscape:

The global whole slide imaging market is moderately competitive and consists of a few major players. Some of the companies that are currently dominating the market are:

• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• 3DHISTECH Ltd
• Leica Microsystems GmbH
• Olympus Corporation
• Koninklijke Philips NV

Recent Development:

1) March 2023: Pramana, Inc., an AI-enabled health tech company modernizing the pathology sector, collaborated with PathPresenter to accelerate the enterprise adoption of digital pathology workflows. The goal of this collaboration is to ensure a seamless user experience for the labs adopting Pramana’s Digital Pathology as a Service solution for whole slide image generation, as well as PathPresenter’s image management/image viewing platform.

2) March 2023: Hamamatsu, a manufacturer of photonics devices, including whole slide scanners for digital pathology, entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with Siemens Healthineers. Under the agreement, Hamamatsu is likely to provide NanoZoomer with whole slide scanners to support Siemens Healthineer's expansion into digital pathology in the Americas and Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

Q1. What was the Whole Slide Imaging Market size in 2022?

Q2. At what CAGR is the Whole Slide Imaging Market projected to grow within the forecast period?

Q3. Which region has the largest share of the Whole Slide Imaging Market? What are the largest region's market size and growth rate?

Q4. Which are the major companies in the Whole Slide Imaging Market?