Preclinical Imaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Modality, Reagents, And Service), By Application (Drug Discovery & Development, Basic & Translational Research), By End Use (Pharma And Biotech Companies), By Region, And Segment For

Preclinical Imaging Market Summary

The preclinical imaging market size was estimated at USD 1.0 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.6 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing investments in drug development, and growing demand for non-invasive imaging techniques.

The adoption of advanced imaging modalities for early-stage research, coupled with the expansion of translational research initiatives, further accelerates market expansion. Government initiatives, such as grants and funding programs from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S. and similar organizations in Europe and Asia, are providing substantial financial support for preclinical research. For instance, in September 2022, the NIH and DHHS invited research applications for milestone-driven preclinical vaccine development targeting Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Salmonella Paratyphi A, and Shigella species. The funding supported innovative vaccine optimization, production scale-up, safety, and efficacy testing, with up to USD 750,000/year over five years, aiming to accelerate candidate vaccines for diverse populations. Eligible applicants included higher education institutions, nonprofits, governments, and businesses. NIAID planned to award USD 5.2 million for 4-6 projects to advance vaccines through preclinical stages toward FDA IND submission. Such a rise of capital enables researchers to acquire cutting-edge equipment, develop novel imaging agents, and conduct more comprehensive preclinical studies. The increased availability of funding directly translates into a higher demand for preclinical imaging services and technologies, thereby driving market expansion.

Preclinical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and ultrasound, offer non-invasive methods to visualize and quantify biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels in animal models. For instance, an April 2025 Nature Communications study on type I conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) immunotherapy used PET imaging to noninvasively monitor immune responses and tumor dynamics in preclinical cancer models. Researchers used PET scans to track the enhanced infiltration and activation of tissue-resident memory T cells induced by cDC1 vaccination, correlating imaging signals with effective tumor control and relapse prevention.

This imaging approach provided real-time insights into the spatial and temporal aspects of immune memory formation within tumors, validating the therapy’s efficacy beyond conventional assays. This capability is crucial for researchers to study disease progression, assess the impact of novel therapies, and optimize treatment strategies before clinical trials in humans.

Similarly, the high prevalence of these diseases in developed countries with well established research infrastructures and investment in R&D significantly boosts the focus on preclinical imaging for treatment development, thereby contributing to the market growth. Additionally, chronic disease-specific animal models such as genetically engineered mice are being used extensively in combination with imaging systems, increasing the need for platforms that support dynamic imaging protocols.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are also key drivers for the adoption of preclinical imaging, particularly in CNS-focused drug discovery. For instance, according to the Alzheimer's Association, around 7.2 million Americans aged 65 years and above in the America have Alzheimer’s in 2025, with 74% among these being aged of age 75 years or above. Small-animal PET, SPECT, and MR imaging modalities are critical in tracking protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and synaptic activity in murine models. The rising global burden of dementia and the lack of curative therapies have contributed to the surge in early-stage drug screening programs using advanced imaging techniques.

Preclinical imaging has experienced significant transformation and improvement through the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence). The vast amount of imaging data generated is processed and analyzed with AI techniques, enabling researchers to gain important insights and accelerate their work. For example, in May 2023, Koninklijke Philips N.V. introduced the Philips CT 3500, an innovative high-throughput CT system designed to meet the needs of large-scale screening programs and routine radiology. The Philips CT 3500 features advanced image reconstruction capabilities and workflow improvements. These features provide the reliability, speed, and high-quality imaging needed for clinicians to confidently diagnose patients and enhance operational efficiency, even in challenging medical environments.

On the other hand, the restrictions placed on animal testing due to regulations enforced by organizations that protect animal rights are the major factors impeding the growth of the market. Therefore, the adoption of alternative methods, such as in-vitro tests, micro-dosing, computer-based models, virtual testing of new drugs, and the development of computerized databases for testing purposes, is rapidly increasing. However, modalities with non-invasive imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans are making their way into the market.

Global Preclinical Imaging Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global preclinical imaging market on the basis of type, application, end use and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
• Modality
• Optical Imaging (BLI & F)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Ultrasound Imaging (US)
• Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI)
• Hybrid Imaging Systems
• Bi-Modal
• SPECT-CT
• PET-CT
• SPECT-PET
• PET-MRI
• Optical-CT
• Others
• Tri-Modal
• PET-SPECT-CT
• PET-SPECT-MRI
• PET-CT-Optical
• Others
• Others
• Reagent
• Service
• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
• Drug Discovery & Development
• Toxicology & Pharmacokinetics Studies
• Basic & Translational Research
• Disease Mechanism & Pathophysiology Studies
• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology & Inflammation
• Others
• Biomarker & Imaging Agent Validation
• Others
• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
• Pharma and Biotech Companies
• Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Academic and Research Institutes
• Others
• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
• North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• Australia
• Thailand
• South Korea
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Kuwait

Please note The report will be delivered in 2-3 business days upon order notification. Show more