Biologic Imaging Reagents: Technologies and Global Markets

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

BCC’s goal for this study was to determine the global market and future demand growth for biologic imaging reagents over a five-year period from 2012 to 2017. Our particular interest is to characterize and quantify the biologic imaging reagents market potential by technology, reagent type and end user market. We also evaluate future growth opportunities in emerging biologic imaging reagents including quantum dots, nanoparticles, fluorescent proteins and supermolecules.

Imaging reagent types covered include fluorescent probes and dyes; fluorescent proteins; nanoparticles; magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and X-ray contrast reagents; and imaging radiopharmaceuticals.

Our key objective was to present a comprehensive discussion of where the state-of-the-art is in biologic imaging reagents and forecast the future commercial potential for the key market segments. This discussion will provide a basis for companies to make strategic choices about developing new products and markets, or employing biologic imaging reagents. The study will benefit reagent and instrument manufacturers, users of biologic imaging reagents, medical instrument companies, life sciences tools companies, diagnostic and drug manufacturers, biotechnology companies, and developers of nanotechnologies.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

Biologic imaging reagents play an important role in the medical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, biotechnology and life sciences tools industries. Imaging and detection technologies are used extensively in medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. Traditional imaging techniques, such as X-ray, computer tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine (NM), mainly analyze anatomy and morphology and cannot detect changes at the molecular level. However, new developments in biotechnology allow us to image at the cellular and molecular level, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and treatment of disease. Biologic imaging reagents play a critical role in this medical revolution.

At the same time, ongoing advances in genomics, proteomics and cellular analysis are aided by imaging technologies, including fluorescent dyes and probes, quantum dot nanoparticles, and fluorescent proteins. Growth in technologies such as biochips, DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) relies on sensitive biologic fluorescent imaging reagents.

Advances in technologies that are used in biologic imaging reagents are also moving forward at a rapid pace. These technologies include nanotechnology, biologic targeting, microfluidics, supramolecular chemistry and protein engineering. Rapid developments across a number of technology fields promise to change the biologic imaging industry by enabling novel imaging reagents and unique market opportunities. This report analyzes these developments and their impact on the future markets for biologic imaging reagents.

Given these market and technology dynamics, it is especially timely to examine the biologic imaging reagents market.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM

We have compiled a study of existing and future imaging reagent technologies that will be commercially important in the major end user segments, including life science research tools, drug discovery and development, and diagnostics.

We present the various imaging reagent technologies, including fluorescent probes and dyes, nanomaterials, fluorescent proteins, contrast reagents, and imaging radiopharmaceuticals. We also examine the industry growth driving forces; product types; market applications; companies and industry alliances and acquisitions; future market potential; and product sales forecasts for the period 2012 through 2017. We project the future use of biologic imaging reagents in the main end user segments and by technology.

This study will be of particular interest to life science research tools suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, diagnostics, biotechnology, genomics, proteomics, nanotechnology and supramolecular companies. It will also be of interest to companies making products for medical imaging, microarrays, lab on a chip, polymerase chain reaction, molecular diagnostics assays, cell-based assays, and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) as well as medical researchers and clinicians.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

The study scope includes the biologic imaging reagents that are commercial or likely to be commercialized within the next five years. Fluorescent probes and dyes; imaging nanomaterials (including quantum dots and other nanoparticles); fluorescent proteins; contrast reagents for MRI, X-ray and ultrasound; and imaging radiopharmaceuticals are studied. Both the in-vivo and in-vitro market segments are included. Each technology is analyzed to determine its market status, impact on future market segments and forecasted growth from 2012 through 2017. Technology status and market driving forces are also discussed.

BCC examines imaging reagent producers and the industry structure in specialized segments of the industry. We also review industry alliances and acquisitions, and the use of biologic imaging reagents in key diagnostics and research and development (R&D) tools platforms, including microarrays, lab-on-a-chip devices, DNA sequencing, PCR and cellular analysis. The markets for novel biologic imaging reagent applications, including targeted multifunctional and hybrid therapeutic reagents, are analyzed, and the main companies in these fields are highlighted.

METHODOLOGY

BCC talked to key users and producers in the end user market segments and technology fields that will be commercially important during the next five years. Extensive secondary market research was performed.

Based on our analysis, we project the future applications of biologic imaging reagents in the major end user market segments and by technology type and forecast sales revenues for 2012 through 2017.