Market Trends of Contrast Media Industry
The Iodinated Contrast Media Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Contrast Media Market
Iodinated contrast media is a form of intravenous radiocontrast (radiographic dye) containing iodine, which enhances the visibility of vascular structures and organs during radiographic procedures. The iodinated contrast has helped improve visibility in diagnosing diseases like cancer. Thus, an increase in cancer cases is expected to drive the segment's growth. For instance, according to the 2023 update from the Pan American Health Organization, approximately 20 million new cancer cases were registered globally in the year. The prevalence of cancer is expected to increase by about 60% over the next two decades. The predicted global burden will also increase to about 30 million new cancer cases by 2040, with the most significant increases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, the rising prevalence of cancer is expected to drive the segment.
The clinical advancements of iodinated contrast media over other contrast media are also expected to drive the segment’s revenue over the forecast period. For instance, according to an article published in Biomedicines in March 2022, at present, iodinated contrast media (ICM) are mostly non-ionic and safe and have low osmolality. Hence, the non-ionic, low osmolality, and high safety of ICM are expected to drive the segment’s revenue over the forecast period. The rising number of strategic alliances by key market players may also propel market growth. For instance, in October 2022, GE Healthcare's Pharmaceutical Diagnostics business signed an agreement with Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA to safeguard the availability of iodine for use in X-ray and computed tomography (CT) procedures globally. Hence, the rising prevalence of cancer and the growing number of strategic activities by key players are expected to drive the segment’s growth over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Register Significant Market Share During the Forecast Period
North America is expected to contribute significantly to the market’s growth during the study period. Factors such as the rising prevalence of long-term diseases and complex comorbidities and increasing private and government expenditures are predicted to fuel market growth in North America. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society's updated statistics in January 2024, 41,630 patients were diagnosed with liver cancer in 2023 in the United States. As per the same statistics, there is a risk of liver cancer among the target population in the region. In this context, according to the American Cancer Society’s data revised in March 2022, liver cancer incidence rates have more than tripled in past decades. The five-year relative survival rate for localized liver cancer is 35% and 12% for regional, implying a disease burden in North America. This factor is anticipated to create demand for contrast media for disease diagnosis and treatment.
Moreover, frequent approvals and launches in the country are expected to drive the studied market. For instance, in July 2022, Fresenius Kabi launched a generic contrast media agents portfolio in the United States after the immediate launch of Iodixanol Injection, USP, which is one of the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved generic iso-osmolar, dimeric iodinated contrast media agents used during CT scans. Such developments are expected to drive the market's growth over the forecast period.
Thus, the increasing prevalence of cancer and rising product approvals are expected to drive the studied market over the forecast period in North America.
