Whole Slide Imaging Market - By Type (Hardware, Software, Services), By Application (Cancer, Cardiology, Thyroid, Neurology), By End-use (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers) – Global Forecast to 2032

Whole Slide Imaging Market Size

Whole Slide Imaging Market size was valued at over USD 602.7 million in 2022 and is projected to register 16.9% CAGR between 2023 and 2032. Whole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual microscopy or digital pathology, is a technology used in the field of pathology to create digital replicas of entire microscope slides. It involves scanning a glass slide containing a tissue sample at high resolution and converting it into a digital image that can be viewed, analysed, and shared on a computer screen. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the surging need for reliable diagnostic procedures is anticipated to drive the growth of the whole slide imaging industry.

Moreover, continuous advancements in imaging technology, such as high-resolution scanning, image analysis algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, are further augmenting the growth of the whole slide imaging market. For instance, in March 2023, Hamamatsu and Siemens Healthineers announced the distribution of NanoZoomer S360MD slide scanning system to clinical markets, an automated system for creating, viewing, and managing digital slides. The NanoZoomer System was made to help pathologists in reviewing and interpreting digital pictures of surgical pathology slides made from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded ("FFPE") tissue which is designed for in vitro diagnostic application. Moreover, rising adoption of surgical microscopes as well as video microscopes owing to the growing demand for precision medicine will further create lucrative opportunities for market expansion.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the whole slide imaging market. Initially, owing to stringent lockdown restrictions and lack of supply chain management the market suffered a setback. However, increasing demand for pathology laboratory equipment owing to rising research and development activities during the COVID-19 pandemic augmented market growth. The need for remote pathology services, accelerated digital transformation, increased research activities, and regulatory changes contributed to the growth and adoption of whole slide imaging technology in the healthcare industry. For instance, the need for social distancing and minimizing in-person interactions, the demand for remote pathology services surged. Thus, whole slide imaging enabled pathologists to review and diagnose cases remotely, reducing the need for physical presence in laboratories or hospitals. This led to a greater adoption of whole slide imaging technology.

Whole Slide Imaging Market Trends

The whole slide imaging industry is projected to show significant growth over the upcoming years due to the increasing drug discovery as pharmaceutical companies and research institutions recognize the value and potential of digital pathology. The adoption of whole slide imaging technology, along with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and image analysis, is likely to accelerate the drug discovery process, improve efficiency, and facilitate the development of new therapies. For instance, whole slide imaging enables the scanning and digitization of large numbers of tissue samples, allowing researchers to rapidly screen and analyse specimens. This capability is particularly valuable in drug discovery in which the screening of numerous potential drug candidates against tissue samples is essential.

Additionally, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders, often require detailed examination of tissue samples to make accurate diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment options. Pathologists use microscopy techniques to analyse these samples, and whole slide imaging offers an advanced digital alternative to traditional microscopy.

Whole Slide Imaging Market Analysis

Based on type, the whole slide imaging market is bifurcated into hardware, software, and services. Hardware is anticipated to account for a significant revenue approximately 248 million in 2022. Hardware typically includes slide scanners, which are specialized devices capable of capturing high-resolution images of whole slides. These scanners use various imaging technologies, such as brightfield, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy, to capture detailed images. The segment is projected to have a substantial expansion opportunity because of increasing number of product approvals and R&D activities.

Based on application, the market is bifurcated into cancer, cardiology, thyroid, neurology, and others. Cancer segment held the highest CAGR at 17.3% during the forecast period. The prevalence of cancer is a key factor that impacts the demand and growth of the whole slide imaging market. For instance, as per the American Cancer Society estimates, after heart disease, cancer continues to be the second most prevalent cause of death in the U.S, it was estimated that around 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed and 609,360 cancer-related deaths in 2022, or roughly 1,670 fatalities, every day. The increasing prevalence of cancer contributes to the growth of the industry, attracting investments from healthcare organizations, technology companies, and investors. This financial support helps drive innovation in whole slide imaging technology, leading to advancements in image quality, data analysis algorithms, and workflow integration.

Based on end-use, the whole slide imaging market is divided into hospitals, diagnostic centers, and others. The diagnostic centers held a significant revenue around USD 329.5 million in 2022. Diagnostic centers, which play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, have recognized the potential of whole slide imaging in improving diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and patient care. These centers often manage a large volume of cases and require quick turnaround times for accurate diagnoses. With whole slide imaging, pathologists can access digitized slides remotely, eliminating the need for physical transport of glass slides and enabling them to provide timely and accurate diagnoses. The demand for whole slide imaging technology in diagnostic centers has been a significant driving force behind the growth of the whole slide imaging industry. The ability to improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and integrate with electronic health records (EHR) systems has positioned whole slide imaging as a valuable tool for modern diagnostic practices.

U.S. whole slide imaging market is anticipated to account for USD 1.1 billion by end of 2032. The market witnessed significant growth over the past decade, and this trend is anticipated to continue. Additionally, the increasing volume of funding provided by the U.S. government to support healthcare is estimated to boost industry expansion. For instance, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) had distributed USD 2.80 Trillion among its thirteen sub-components in the fiscal year 2023 among which the Medicare and Medicaid sub-component received the highest funding. Additionally, the regulatory environment in North America has been supportive of whole slide imaging adoption.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted clearance for certain whole slide imaging platforms for specific clinical uses, such as primary diagnosis. For instance, in October 2022, the NanoZoomer S360MD slide scanning system of Hamamatsu was given 510(k) approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be marketed for primary diagnostic purpose. Such clearance has instilled confidence among healthcare providers and facilitated the adoption of digital pathology solutions such as whole slide imaging technology.

Whole Slide Imaging Market Share

Some of the notable key industry players operating in the whole slide imaging market include:

• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• Mikroscan Technologies, Inc.
• Leica Microsystems (Danaher Corporation)
• 3DHISTECH (Epredia)
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Ventana Medical Systems Inc
• (Roche Holding AG)
• Nikon Corporation
• Indica Labs
• Inspirata
• Definiens (AstraZeneca)
• Autoscribe Informatics
• TECHNIDATA
• LabSmart Healthcare Technologies
• Xybion Digital Inc.

These market participants are implementing various growth strategies such as collaborations, partnerships, acquisitions & mergers, and new type development and launches to strengthen type offerings as well as gain a competitive edge over others.
 

Whole Slide Imaging Industry News:

• In March 2023, Agilent Technologies Inc. collaborated with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., a leading supplier of whole slide imaging systems, to integrate their NanoZoomer, which includes the S360MD slide scanner system, into the Agilent digital pathology solution. Such strategies support the company’s expansion strategy as well as strengthens its overall customer base.
   

Whole slide imaging market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD from 2018 to 2032 for the following segments:

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By Type

• Hardware
• Software
• Services        

By Application

• Cancer
• Cardiology
• Thyroid
• Neurology
• Others

By End-use

• Hospitals
• Diagnostic centers
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Poland
  • Switzerland
  • Norway
  • Finland
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • The Netherlands
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Indonesia
  • Vietnam
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Chile
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Israel