Report

Global digital pathology market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.50% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 1.00 billion in 2023 to USD 2.57 billion in 2031. The global digital pathology market is an important part of the healthcare IT and biotechnology industry, accounting for one of the fastest growth rates in the healthcare market. Factors are driving the market such as increasing adoption of digital pathology technologies, integration of AI and machine learning, and growing prevalence of chronic diseases.
Digital pathology deals with the management of data gathered from digital specimen slides. Virtual microscopy is used in digital pathology, using computer-based technologies. Digital slides made from glass can be managed, shared, examined, and analyzed on a computer screen. Modern pathologies need new approaches as digital pathology offers numerous benefits such as improved analysis, reduced errors, better views, smooth workflow, and reduced turnaround times. Due to the advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence in healthcare, the field of digital pathology is expanding and recognizing applications in diagnostic medicine using whole-slide imaging (WSI). The goal of these applications is to achieve accurate and affordable disease diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction.
AGFA Healthcare N.V. and Corista LLC announced the launch of their integrated solution for digital transformation in pathology in North America in July 2024. This advanced technology helps pathology departments overcome the difficulties that occur in moving from an analog to a digital environment. These difficulties involve reducing complexity, enhancing clinical cooperation, and facilitating operational efficiency. The recognized enterprise imaging platform from AGFA makes it possible to implement a safe, customizable picture consolidation approach across several service lines.
Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases to Accelerate the Market Demand
The rise in long-term health problems, such as diabetes and heart issues, puts a lot of pressure on hospitals and their inpatient units. The burden makes people want mobile health (mHealth) options that can help them handle ongoing health conditions better. mHealth technologies such as phone apps and medical devices let patients keep an eye on their health from home, take care of themselves, and talk to their doctors on a regular basis. As per a report from British Heart Foundation, around 200 million people have coronary artery disease (CAD), men and women constituting 57.89% and 42.11%, respectively of the global coronary artery disease patients globally. As per IDF (International Diabetes Federation), more than 537 million adults are living with diabetes globally.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Evolve Digital Pathology Market
Digital pathology has become increasingly popular as a result of technology advancements, as more laboratories use artificial neural networks to enhance their analysis. Whole slide images (WSI) are a prominent example of applications in digital pathology. The microscope slide is digitally scanned by WSI and loaded into a computer. After that, users can use picture improvement and digital transformation methods for AI-based analysis. It has always been a problem for medical professionals to develop effective cancer treatments. The findings of a traditional biopsy are quite accurate, but processing and interpreting the data takes a long time. Artificial intelligence systems can quickly collect and analyze the necessary data, provide accurate cancer diagnoses, and produce results. In May 2024, Microsoft announced its collaboration with the University of Washington and Providence health network with the aim of launching whole-slide AI model for digital pathology. The researchers presented a machine learning model based on one of the most extensive AI training projects in whole-slide tissue analysis conducted in real-world settings.
Device Segment Dominates the Global Digital Pathology Market
The device segment had a dominant share of the global digital pathology market. It is expected to maintain at a lucrative pace throughout the forecast period. The scanner and slide management system are part of the device segment. The growing use of digital pathology for higher-resolution imaging in academic research projects is one of the major reasons behind the segment's growth. The VENTANA DP 600 slide scanner, a next-generation high-capacity device by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. that produces high-resolution digital pictures of stained tissue samples, assists in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning after the CE mark approval in June 2022.
North America Dominates the Global Digital Pathology Market
In 2023, North America held a dominant position in the global digital pathology market. This was attributed to several factors, including the development of technologically advanced pathologies due to government initiatives, ongoing deployment of R&D investments, presence of healthcare regulatory bodies, rising adoption of digital imaging, and the presence of key market players in the region who were focused on improving living and health conditions of individuals with chronic diseases. To participate in the Early Access Program, PathAI released AISight, a digital pathology platform, in March 2023 in top health systems of 13 nations, reference laboratories, medical facilities, and independent pathology organizations. Additionally, the market is growing due to the growing use of digital pathology in academic research and illness diagnostics. In June 2024, Roche announced that its whole-slide imaging system, the Roche Digital Pathology Dx, received FDA 510(k) approval. The technology analyzes and interprets digital images of scanned pathology slides to facilitate pathologists' diagnostic process. Roche is dedicated to make routine medical diagnosis possible with its digital pathology solutions, and the approval was the first step in that direction.
Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)
- A completely digital workflow from electronic microscopes to cloud-based storage and analysis is expected to accelerate digital pathology market in the forecast period. This will make remote collaboration possible and turn diagnosis faster and more effective.
- Artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies will automate tasks, such as pattern recognition and computer-aided diagnosis, in digital pathology market.
- More advanced applications, such as forecasting genetic alterations and treatment response based on anatomical characteristics of tissue samples, will be possible through the integration of digital pathology with AI and machine learning.
- Digital pathology will enable pathologists to access and interpret slides remotely, which is crucial when there is a projected shortage of pathologists in the future.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Several biotechnology companies and IT companies are growing in the digital pathology market by planning and adopting new strategies. They are complying with new strategic initiatives for digital pathology technologies to increase their market presence. New agreements, contracts, acquisitions mergers, investments, and partnerships are major ways through which the market players are trying to achieve a higher market share.
Philips and Amazon Web Services announced their partnership in March 2024 to scale its cloud storage for digital pathology solutions. By enabling more pathology laboratories to use digital processes to boost productivity, Philips and AWS will progress digital pathology and assist pathology labs in effectively managing, storing, and analyzing increasing amounts of digital pathology data.