U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market Advancing Precision Medicine

U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market Size, Key Players with Trends

The U.S. clinical trial imaging market size marked US$ 684 million in 2024 and is forecast to experience consistent growth, reaching US$ 748.09 million in 2025 and US$ 1675.4 million by 2034 at a CAGR of 9.37%.

The U.S. clinical trial imaging market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing number of clinical studies, rising investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, and the widespread adoption of advanced imaging modalities. The growing use of imaging biomarkers, combined with regulatory support for quantitative imaging endpoints, is enhancing trial efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, the integration of AI-driven image analysis, centralized imaging services, and precision medicine approaches is further strengthening the market, making the U.S. a global leader in clinical trial imaging innovation.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. clinical trial imaging sector pushed the market to USD 684 million by 2024.
• Long-term projections show USD 1675.4 million valuation by 2034.
• Growth is expected at a steady CAGR of 9.37% in between 2025 to 2034.
• The global clinical trial imaging market is set to grow from US$ 2.41 billion in 2024 to US$ 5.58 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 8.8%.
• Northeast U.S. held a major revenue share of approximately 38% in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market in 2024.
• The West Coast is expected to witness the fastest growth during the predicted timeframe.
• By modality, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segment registered its dominance over the global market with a share of approximately 34% in 2024.
• By modality, the positron emission tomography (PET) segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the market during the studied years.
• By therapeutic area, the oncology segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 46% in the market in 2024.
• By therapeutic area, the neurology segment is expected to show the fastest growth over the forecast period.
• By technology/service type, the image analysis & interpretation segment held a dominant presence in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market with a share of approximately 41% in 2024.
• By technology/service type, the imaging CRO services segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the market over the forecast period. 
• By end user, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment contributed the biggest revenue share of approximately 49% in the market in 2024.
• By end user, the contract research organizations (CROs) segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

Key Indicators and Highlights

What is Clinical Trial Imaging?

The U.S. clinical trial imaging market is driven by a large volume of clinical trials, high research and development (R&D) spending, and technology advancements. Clinical trial imaging refers to the use of medical imaging techniques such as MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound, and X-ray to gather visual evidence in clinical studies. It helps researchers evaluate treatment safety and efficacy by tracking disease progression, measuring biological responses, and providing accurate, standardized data for regulatory and scientific assessment.

U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market Outlook

Industry Growth Overview:

The market is rapidly growing due to increasing clinical trial activity, adoption of advanced imaging modalities, integration of AI-driven analysis, and rising demand from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO sectors for precise, efficient, and standardized imaging solutions.

Sustainability Trends:

Sustainability trends in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market include reducing energy consumption in imaging equipment, minimizing radioactive tracer waste, adopting digital and paperless workflows, and implementing centralized imaging platforms to lower redundancies. These initiatives enhance environmental responsibility while improving operational efficiency and data management across clinical trials.

Major Investors:

Major investors in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market include venture capital firms and corporate investors that fund imaging technology providers, AI-driven analysis platforms, and imaging CROs. Notable investors are RA Capital Management, Pfizer Ventures, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Kaiser Permanente Ventures, which support companies enhancing imaging efficiency, data accuracy, and advanced modalities to support clinical trial innovation and scalability.

U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market Trends

Decentralized and Remote Imaging

• To improve patient access, reduce site burden, and speed up trials, remote imaging options, mobile units, and decentralized trial models are rising. Imaging performed closer to the patient or through local facilities rather than centralized sites is growing.
• Adoption of Inorganic Growth Strategies such as collaborations and partnerships can significantly accelerate the U.S. clinical trial imaging market by combining complementary strengths, expanding infrastructure, and speeding innovation. For instance,
• In January 2025, Yunu partnered with WCG to streamline imaging workflows, providing sponsors and trial sites with more transparency, real-time analytics, and harmonized imaging endpoint data for cancer trials. 

Investment & Funding

• Investment and funding play a pivotal role in propelling the U.S. clinical trial imaging market by fostering innovation, expanding infrastructure, and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies.
• In June 2025, HOPPR secured US$31.5 million to enhance its AI-driven medical imaging platform, aiming to improve data accuracy and reduce trial timelines. Similarly, Rad AI raised an additional US$8 million in May 2025, bringing its Series C funding to US$68 million, to advance its enterprise AI solutions in healthcare. These investments enable companies to develop cutting-edge imaging technologies, streamline clinical trial processes, and ultimately contribute to the growth and efficiency of the clinical trial imaging market.

How Can AI Improve the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

AI integration is transforming the market by enabling faster, more accurate, and standardized analysis of imaging data. Machine learning algorithms can automatically detect, segment, and quantify disease biomarkers, reducing human error and inter-reader variability. AI also accelerates image processing, allowing real-time monitoring of patient responses and adaptive trial designs.

Additionally, predictive analytics and pattern recognition enhance patient stratification and endpoint evaluation. By integrating AI with centralized imaging platforms, sponsors can optimize workflows, improve data quality, and reduce trial timelines, ultimately increasing the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of clinical trial imaging operations across diverse therapeutic areas.

Leading Imaging CROs and Services

Advanced Imaging Modalities Adoption

Market Dynamics

Driver

Adoption of Advanced Imaging Modalities

The adoption of advanced imaging modalities is significantly driving the growth of the U.S. clinical trial imaging market by enhancing the precision, efficiency, and scalability of clinical studies.

Restraint

Data Management & Integration Issues & Patient Recruitment & Retention Challenges

The key players operating in the market are facing issues due to patient recruitment & retention challenges and data management & integration issues. Handling large imaging datasets across multiple sites is challenging, and a lack of standardized platforms can cause inconsistencies. Frequent or complex imaging procedures may discourage patient participation, affecting trial timelines.

Opportunity

Rising Clinical Trial Activity

Rising clinical trial activity is a major driver of growth in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market. On June 21, 2025, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting in New Orleans showcased significant advancements in clinical trial imaging. Perspective Therapeutics presented at the event, highlighting their [^212Pb]Pb-VMT-α-NET dosimetry in patients with advanced SSTR2-positive tumors. This presentation underscored the growing importance of precision imaging in clinical trials, particularly in oncology.

Segmental Insights

Which Modality Segment Dominated the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) segment dominates the market with approximately 34% due to its high-resolution soft tissue imaging, non-invasive nature, and versatility across therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, and cardiology. Its ability to provide functional, anatomical, and quantitative data, combined with increasing adoption of advanced techniques like fMRI and diffusion imaging, strengthens its preference in trials.

The positron emission tomography (PET) segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market due to its ability to provide highly sensitive molecular and functional imaging, track metabolic and biological processes, and support early detection and therapeutic monitoring. Increasing use in oncology, neurology, and cardiology trials further drives its rapid adoption.

Why Did the Oncology Segment Dominate the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

The oncology segment dominates the market with approximately 46% due to the high prevalence of cancer, growing investment in oncology research, and the critical need for precise tumor detection, monitoring, and treatment assessment. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, PET, and CT, are extensively used for evaluating therapeutic efficacy in cancer trials.

The neurology segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market due to the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. Rising R&D in neurotherapeutics, growing adoption of advanced imaging modalities like functional MRI and PET, and the need for precise monitoring of brain structure and function are driving rapid growth in this segment.

How the image analysis & interpretation Segment Dominated the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

The image analysis & interpretation segment dominates the market with approximately 41% because accurate processing and evaluation of imaging data are critical for trial success. Centralized analysis ensures standardized interpretation, reduces inter-reader variability, and supports regulatory compliance. Advanced software platforms and AI-driven tools enhance quantitative assessment, biomarker extraction, and endpoint evaluation, improving data reliability. Sponsors increasingly rely on expert image interpretation to guide patient stratification, monitor therapeutic responses, and optimize trial outcomes, making this segment a cornerstone of clinical trial imaging operations.

The imaging CRO services segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market due to increasing outsourcing of imaging operations by sponsors, demand for specialized expertise, standardized protocols, centralized reading, and advanced data management. These services enhance trial efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce variability, and accelerate timelines across multi-site clinical studies.

What Made Direct to Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies the Dominant Segment in the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment dominates the market with approximately 49% due to their high investment in R&D and extensive clinical trial pipelines across oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular diseases. These companies rely heavily on advanced imaging techniques to monitor treatment efficacy, assess safety, and generate regulatory-compliant data, making them the primary users of imaging services and technologies in clinical trials.

The contract research organizations (CROs) segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market, driven by increasing outsourcing of imaging services by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to reduce operational costs and enhance efficiency. CROs offer standardized protocols, centralized reading, and advanced data management, helping sponsors save significant resources. Their rapid adoption supports a more streamlined trial process, contributing to market growth.

Regional Analysis

Which Factors Contribute to Northeast U.S. Dominance in the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market?

The Northeast U.S. dominates the market with approximately 38% due to its high concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, renowned research institutions, and advanced healthcare infrastructure. States like Massachusetts and New York host numerous clinical trial sites, imaging centers, and core laboratories, enabling streamlined trial execution. The region also benefits from strong collaborations between academic centers and industry, access to skilled radiologists and imaging specialists, and early adoption of advanced modalities such as MRI and PET, collectively driving the Northeast’s leadership in clinical trial imaging activities.

Which Factors Make the West Coast U.S. The Fastest Growing Region?

The West Coast is the fastest-growing region in the U.S. clinical trial imaging market due to the rapid expansion of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in California, Washington, and Oregon, coupled with a strong focus on innovative therapies, particularly in oncology, neurology, and rare diseases. The presence of advanced imaging centers, adoption of cutting-edge modalities such as functional MRI, PET, and molecular imaging, and integration of AI-driven image analysis enhance trial efficiency and data quality. Additionally, collaborations between tech-driven imaging startups and research institutions, along with increasing decentralized and patient-centric trial models, are accelerating growth in the region.

Global Clinical Trial Imaging Market Growth

The global clinical trial imaging market was valued at US$ 2.41 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to US$ 2.62 billion in 2025, reaching US$ 5.58 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period.

Value Chain Analysis

Research & Development (R&D)

• Preclinical imaging for drug discovery
• Development of imaging biomarkers
• Optimization of imaging protocols
• Collaboration for imaging technology innovation

Organizations Involved:

• Pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies (Pfizer, Amgen, Biogen)
• Imaging technology developers (Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips)
• Academic research institutions (Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, MIT)

Clinical Trials & Approvals

• Imaging protocol standardization
• Imaging data acquisition and centralization
• Image analysis and interpretation
• Submission of imaging endpoints for regulatory review

Organizations Involved:

• Contract Research Organizations (IQVIA, ICON plc, Parexel)
• Imaging CROs (Bioclinica, Medpace Imaging Core Lab)
• Regulatory authorities (U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA)

Patient Support & Service

• Patient recruitment and imaging-based screening
• Imaging for monitoring safety and efficacy
• Patient experience surveys and feedback on imaging procedures
• Post-trial imaging follow-up and long-term studies

Organizations Involved:

• Clinical trial sites and hospitals (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, UCSF Medical Center)
• Patient advocacy groups (The Michael J. Fox Foundation, American Cancer Society)
• Survey and data analytics firms (NielsenIQ, Medidata Solutions)

Top Vendors and their Offerings

Clario

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Services: Offers comprehensive imaging core lab services, including MRI, CT, PET, and X-ray, with centralized image analysis and quality control for clinical trials across all phases.

WCG Clinical

Headquarters: Princeton, New Jersey

Services: Provides full-service medical imaging core lab services, supporting clinical trials from Phase I through IV, with expertise in various therapeutic areas.

Medpace

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio

Services: Offers an end-to-end suite of global imaging services, including protocol development, image acquisition, analysis, and interpretation across multiple therapeutic areas.

Medical Metrics Inc.

Headquarters: Houston, Texas

Services: An ISO 9001:2015-certified imaging core lab providing centralized image analysis and interpretation services for clinical trials.

ProScan Imaging

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio

Services: Provides imaging core lab services, including MRI and CT imaging, for clinical trials, with a focus on neurological and musculoskeletal imaging.

Radiant Sage

Headquarters: San Diego, California

Services: Offers imaging core lab services, specializing in quantitative imaging analysis for clinical trials, with expertise in various therapeutic areas.

Intrinisic Imaging

Headquarters: San Francisco, California

Services: Provides imaging core lab services, including image acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, with a focus on oncology and neurology clinical trials.

Top Companies in the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market

• ICON plc (Imaging CRO division)
• Parexel International
• Medpace Holdings
• BioTelemetry (Philips)
• Radiant Sage (Parexel subsidiary)
• Bioclinica (ERT)
• PAREXEL Informatics
• Invicro LLC (Konica Minolta)
• WorldCare Clinical
• IXICO plc
• Intrinsic Imaging LLC
• Clario (formerly ERT & Bioclinica Imaging)
• Siemens Healthineers Clinical Trials Imaging
• GE Healthcare Clinical Research Imaging
• Perceptive Informatics (Parexel)
• BioTel Research
• Prism Clinical Imaging
• PAREXEL Medical Imaging
• Resonance Health Ltd.
• Keosys Medical Imaging
• ICON plc (Imaging CRO division)
• Parexel International
• Medpace Holdings
• BioTelemetry (Philips)
• Radiant Sage (Parexel subsidiary)
• Bioclinica (ERT)
• PAREXEL Informatics
• Invicro LLC (Konica Minolta)
• WorldCare Clinical
• IXICO plc
• Intrinsic Imaging LLC
• Clario (formerly ERT & Bioclinica Imaging)
• Siemens Healthineers Clinical Trials Imaging
• GE Healthcare Clinical Research Imaging
• Perceptive Informatics (Parexel)
• BioTel Research
• Prism Clinical Imaging
• PAREXEL Medical Imaging
• Resonance Health Ltd.
• Keosys Medical Imaging

Recent Developments in the U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Market

• In August 2025, Kyle Burtnett, Headlands Research, Chief Executive Officer at Headlands Research, announced that Headlands Research entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by THL Partners. Kyle Burtnett projected single-to upper-single-digit annual growth in clinical trial investments over the next five years, underpinned by strong demand for diverse, high-quality data from pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors.
• In July 2025, Andy Jassy, Chief Executive Officer at Amazon, announced that Andy Jassy shared insights on Amazon's approach to integrating generative AI into its operations. He highlighted that Amazon is embracing AI to transform customer experiences and improve operational efficiencies, including in healthcare-related services.
• In July 2025, GE HealthCare announced the Definium Pace Select ET, a state-of-the-art floor-mounted digital X-ray system that improves access and efficiency while producing high-quality images in extremely demanding environments, to be commercially available.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Modality

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Ultrasound
• X-ray & Others

By Therapeutic Area

• Oncology
• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases
• Others (Rare & Infectious Diseases)

By Technology/Service Type

• Image Analysis & Interpretation
• Imaging Data Management
• Imaging CRO Services
• Software Solutions (AI/ML-enabled imaging platforms)
• Site Management & Training

By End User

• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• Academic & Research Institutions
• Medical Device Companies
• Contract Research Organizations (CROs)