MEDICAL CYCLOTRON MARKET ANALYSIS

A cyclotron is machine used to make relatively short lived radioactive atoms, which can be used for medical imaging and research application. Therefore, a medical cyclotron can also be termed as an isotope-producing machine.

These isotopes are further combined with chemical compounds (mostly glucose) to create injectable radioactive tracers that are used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans and other diagnostic techniques. A PET scan involves injecting a radioactive tracer into the patient’s body. Radiologists utilize PET imaging techniques to detect the presence of radioactive tracer at specific sites in the body. Cancerous cells use the isotope with glucose as a source of energy when a PET scan is used in cancer diagnostics. Fast-growing cancer cells appear as a glow in images taken by the PET scan thereby confirming the presence of cancerous cells at the affected site.

Radioactive isotopes have a short half-life (e.g. Flourine-18 has a half-life of about 110 minutes) that results in immediate decay after their production. Therefore, many research and large diagnostic facilities possess assembled in-house medical cyclotrons to produce radioactive isotopes for various medical applications.

The global medical cyclotron market is estimated to be valued at US$ 212.0 million in 2021 and expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period (2021-2028).

Figure 1. Global Medical Cyclotron Market Share (%) in Terms of Value, By Region, 2021

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The rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer and others are expected to aid in the growth of the global medical cyclotron market.

For instance, according to the Global Cancer Observatory data, over 19 million people across the globe suffered from cancer in 2020. The report also estimated that the risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 years was around 20.4%.

According to the publication by the ASCO Post in June 2021, every year, there are around 50,000 new cases of cancer in Morocco, causing around 13.4% of deaths in the country. According to the same source, the most common type of tumor, regardless of gender, is breast cancer which accounts for 20% of cases while lung cancer (11.4%) is in the second place, followed by colon cancer (6.7%).

According to an article published by the National Centers for Biotechnology Information in July 2020, there is an increasing prevalence of ischemic heart disease across the globe, as it affects 1,655 per 100,000 individuals, which may rise up to 1,845 per 100,000 individuals by 2030.

Figure 2. Global Medical Cyclotron Market Share (%), by Product Type, 2021

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Global Medical Cyclotron Market: Restraint

Limitations related to the use of cyclotron for the production of novel radioisotopes are expected to act as a restraint for the global medical cyclotron market over the forecast period.

For instance, according to a review article published by the EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry journal in February 2018, solid targets are often used for the production of novel radioisotopes in a cyclotron and the usage of these solid targets is associated with a number of limitations. These limitations include: The target materials required for the production of novel radioisotopes with high purity are often expensive

Since the heat conductivity is low in solid targets, overheating problems are incurred during the process of radioisotope production. Hence, an efficient cooling system is required to prevent the solid target from melting.

Solid target materials require more complex chemical separation methods and recycling steps as compared to liquid or gas targets

High risk of exposure to radiation in the usage of solid targets as more manual handling is required during the process of radioisotope production

Key Players

Major players operating in the global medical cyclotron market include IBA Radiopharma Solutions, Advanced Cyclotron Systems, Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc., Best ABT Molecular Imaging, Inc., Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, IONETIX Corporation, PMB-ALCEN, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., and The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.