Whole Slide Imaging Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.29 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.75 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 6.39% |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Whole Slide Imaging Market Analysis
The Whole Slide Imaging Market size is estimated at USD 1.29 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.75 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.39% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
COVID-19 significantly impacted the global whole slide imaging market due to the increased research studies conducted to identify COVID-19 strains using whole slide imaging (WSI). For instance, in an article published in March 2023 in PubMed, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services waived the requirement for pathologists to perform diagnostic tests in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-licensed facilities during the pandemic, which led to the rapid implementation of WSI across all surgical pathology subspecialties in the United States. Thus, the increased demand and implementation of WSI in laboratories significantly impacted the market's growth during the pandemic. In the coming years, the market is expected to witness healthy growth owing to the advancements in whole slide imaging and the rise in research and development utilizing whole slide imaging techniques.
The key factors propelling the whole slide imaging (WSI) market are an increase in research and development in drug discovery processes, technological advancements in whole slide imaging, and the rising popularity of virtual slides compared to physical slides.
Also, the increasing incidence of cancer is expected to drive the growth of the overall market since advanced image analysis can lead to automated examination of histopathology images, which is essential for fast cancer diagnosis. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society 2023 Cancer Statistics, the estimated new number of cancer cases is 1.9 million in the United States in 2023. This estimation includes 1.01 million males and 948,000 cases of females. A significant burden of cancer cases can increase the demand for WSI since WSI scans assist doctors in analyzing larger areas to detect malignant cells or other mutations in a specific tissue, which is further expected to fuel the market growth over the study period.
Furthermore, an increase in research activities and the presence of key players and their strategic activities are expected to bolster the market growth over the study period. For instance, in March 2023, OptraSCAN, an end-to-end digital pathology solution provider, launched the OnDemand Digital Pathology solution that offers complete digital transformation of pathology laboratories in North America. Similarly, using whole slide imaging in various chronic diseases is expected to raise the demand for WSI and bolster market growth. For instance, according to an article published in June 2022 in PubMed, whole slide imaging-based systems were helpful in digitally frozen sections at cancer centers.
Thus, owing to the high number of chronic diseases, an increase in the adoption of WSI in malignant tissue detection and strategic product launches by the key players are expected to bolster the market growth over the study period. However, stringent regulatory approvals and the high cost of whole slide imaging systems are expected to hinder market growth.
Whole Slide Imaging Market Trends
Telepathology Segment is Expected to Grow Significantly Over the Forecast Period
Telepathology is the practice of remote pathology using telecommunication links to permit the electronic transmission of digital pathology images. Telepathology can be utilized for providing primary diagnoses, second opinion consultations, quality assurance, education, and research purposes.
The telepathology segment is expected to witness significant growth owing to the increase in the adoption of telepathology in various departments, the increase in product launches, and other strategic activities. For instance, in August 2022, Tribun Health, one of the European leaders in software development for digital pathology, entered a strategic partnership with Mindpeak, a global leader in pathology AI software, to help pathologists analyze whole-slide-images (WSI) of immunohistochemically (IHC) stained human breast cancer tissue to detect, classify, count cancer cells, and to provide the respective quantitative score. Similarly, in August 2022, Diagnexia, Deciphex's telepathology care provider, and Saudi Ajal Medical Laboratories, a company offering medical laboratory products in Saudi Arabia, entered a strategic collaboration to provide expert consultation telepathology services in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, telepathology provides immediate expert anatomic pathology consultation to sites without an in-house or subspecialized pathologist, which leads to the adoption of the same. For instance, according to the article published in March 2023 in PubMed, the concentration of contradictory diagnoses among a few pathologists showed that they were all familiar with diagnoses using frozen sections or telepathology. Thus, due to the increase in the adoption of telepathology services by the researchers, the demand for the same is expected to rise, fuelling the market growth over the study period.
North America is Expected to Witness a Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to witness significant market growth in the studied market owing to the increasing investment in drug discovery and development processes and the rise in strategic product launches by the key players.
Also, the increasing funding from the United States government for supporting healthcare and publishing new guidelines for WSI in toxicological studies is expected to bolster the market growth over the study period.
For instance, in May 2023, the FDA issued final guidance on the use of whole slide imaging in nonclinical toxicology studies. The guidance is in a question-and-answer format and addresses issues such as validating the whole slide imaging system and protecting the images' integrity. Nonclinical laboratory investigations that can assist sponsors and regulators in understanding the toxicity of medicine often involve the histopathological evaluation of tissue samples utilizing whole-slide imaging. Thus, the release of such guidelines is expected to increase the quality of WSI procedures conducted by the researchers, which is further expected to create demand for the studied market in North America over the forecast period.
Similarly, an increase in procurement of WSI equipment by the major universities is expected to increase the market growth in the region. For instance, in May 2021, the University of Chicago purchased a brand-new Olympus VS200 Slideview Research Slide Scanner from Olympus Corporation. The scanner is utilized as a part of the drop-off service, and it is a whole slide, widefield scanning system capable of imaging full-color histology and fluorescent slides at a wide range of magnifications. Similarly, in March 2022, Leica Microsystems launched Mica, one of the first Microhub. A Microhub is a new type of wholly integrated imaging solution that leverages machine learning software, automation tools, and unique fluorescence unmixing techniques to automate the imaging workflow for researchers, regardless of their microscopy experience levels.
Thus, owing to the government's recommendations and product launches by the key players, North America is expected to witness significant growth over the study period.
Whole Slide Imaging Industry Overview
The global whole slide imaging market is moderately competitive and consists of a few major players. The market players are taking strategic initiatives such as collaboration for the development of advanced products. Some of the companies that are currently dominating the market are Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., 3DHISTECH Ltd, Leica Microsystems GmbH, Olympus Corporation, and Koninklijke Philips NV, among others.
Whole Slide Imaging Market Leaders
-
Olympus Corporation
-
Leica Microsystems GmbH
-
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
-
3DHISTECH Ltd.
-
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Whole Slide Imaging Market News
- March 2023: Pramana, Inc., an AI-enabled health tech company modernizing the pathology sector, collaborated with PathPresenter to accelerate the enterprise adoption of digital pathology workflows. The goal of this collaboration is to ensure a seamless user experience for the labs adopting Pramana's Digital Pathology as a Service solution for whole slide image generation, as well as PathPresenter's image management/image viewing platform.
- March 2023: Hamamatsu, a manufacturer of photonics devices, including whole slide scanners for digital pathology, entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with Siemens Healthineers. Under the agreement, Hamamatsu is likely to provide NanoZoomer with whole slide scanners to support Siemens Healthineer's expansion into digital pathology in the Americas and Europe.
Whole Slide Imaging Industry Segmentation
As per the scope of the report, whole slide imaging is a technology where glass slides are scanned to produce digital images. It refers to the scanning of conventional glass slides in order to produce digital slides and is the most recent imaging modality being employed by pathology departments worldwide. The whole slide imaging market is segmented by technology (scanners, IT infrastructure, viewer, and image management system), application (telepathology, cytopathology, immunohistochemistry, and hematopathology), end user (academic institute, research, and other end users), and geography(North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America). The market report also covers the estimated market sizes and trends for 17 different countries across major regions globally. The report offers the value (in USD) for the above segments.
| By Technology | Scanners | ||
| IT Infrastructure | |||
| Viewer | |||
| Image Management System | |||
| By Application | Telepathology | ||
| Cytopathology | |||
| Immunohistochemistry | |||
| Hematopathology | |||
| By End User | Academic Institute | ||
| Research | |||
| Others | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| Australia | |||
| South korea | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | GCC | ||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Scanners |
| IT Infrastructure |
| Viewer |
| Image Management System |
| Telepathology |
| Cytopathology |
| Immunohistochemistry |
| Hematopathology |
| Academic Institute |
| Research |
| Others |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| India | |
| Australia | |
| South korea | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC |
| South Africa | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America |
Whole Slide Imaging Market Research FAQs
How big is the Whole Slide Imaging Market?
The Whole Slide Imaging Market size is expected to reach USD 1.29 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 6.39% to reach USD 1.75 billion by 2030.
What is the current Whole Slide Imaging Market size?
In 2025, the Whole Slide Imaging Market size is expected to reach USD 1.29 billion.
Who are the key players in Whole Slide Imaging Market?
Olympus Corporation, Leica Microsystems GmbH, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., 3DHISTECH Ltd. and Koninklijke Philips N.V. are the major companies operating in the Whole Slide Imaging Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Whole Slide Imaging Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Whole Slide Imaging Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Whole Slide Imaging Market.
What years does this Whole Slide Imaging Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Whole Slide Imaging Market size was estimated at USD 1.21 billion. The report covers the Whole Slide Imaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Whole Slide Imaging Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Page last updated on: June 16, 2024
Our Best Selling Reports
Whole Slide Imaging Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Whole Slide Imaging market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Whole Slide Imaging analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
