Advances in Molecular Imaging - Companies and Technologies that are driving change

May 19, 2010 - PRLog -- The market for molecular imaging technology is facing a number of challenges. The chronic shortage of key radiopharmaceuticals and negative US reimbursement developments have affected the SPECT sector while an uncertain economic future has impacted buyers’ willingness to invest in capital equipment. Advanced MI solutions offer real clinical and research benefits, but in current market conditions, exactly when the technologies will realise their potential is open to question.

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Current research into MI involves different fields, including target discovery, chemistry, cell biology, disease modelling, imaging, data processing and clinical research. While some key molecular targets in certain diseases are well established, newer targets, chemical ligands and sensing technologies wait to be developed. Currently, most R&D into MI is focused on clinical applications in cancer, neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, companies are focusing on translational research, i.e. developing and marketing small animal, pre-clinical MI systems with the aim of translating this technology to human use in the future. For example, in cancer research, animal models of cancer are making it possible to perform studies that are difficult or impossible to perform in humans. In addition, imaging small animals can help assess the effectiveness of new instruments and therapeutic technologies such as radiation therapy and directed drug therapies.

Despite some short-term factors that are likely to impact growth in the MI market, there are strong opportunities in this area. The increasing incidence of cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases means that demand for faster and more accurate diagnosis, as well as drug development and pre-clinical study efforts, will continue to accelerate in the coming years. In addition, MI technologies will become more widely adopted as reimbursement increases, clinical evidence is established as to its benefits, and new technological innovations continue to be brought to market. Espicom believes the market is currently worth around US$5 billion, with 50% of this being generated in North America...

Currently, nuclear imaging is the most widely-used and developed MI modality for both clinical and pre-clinical use. Nuclear medicine is wellestablished and the infrastructure is in place throughout the developed world for its use, with over 13 million procedures undertaken annually. However, the use of this technology is not as widespread as imaging techniques such as MRI or CT. While the latter two technologies can be accessed from the vast majority of hospitals in the developed world, access to nuclear imaging is limited to specialist centres in hospitals and universities. There is also a major lack of nuclear imaging infrastructure in the developing world and emerging markets.

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