Mountain View, CA - In vivo optical molecular imaging (OMI) is poised to move into clinical use as one of the key tools in personalized medicine, complementing more established imaging tools such as CT and MRI. Growth of equipment sales is on track to reach $400 million in 2014 and nearly $1 billion by the end of the decade. However, this strong growth hinges on partnerships with key medical equipment vendors, the outcomes of clinical trials assessing imaging agents, regulatory approvals, patent litigation, and decisions about insurance reimbursement. These are some of the findings of a new market report from Strategies Unlimited.

Optical molecular imaging is an attractive and cost-effective tool for examining and monitoring disease states and to determine a drug's effectiveness in living tissue. Highly portable, fast, and less expensive than conventional imaging technologies, it has the potential to bring sophisticated diagnostics right to the doctor's office. When coupled with more traditional imaging tools such as CT and MRI, optical imaging adds an unprecedented degree of quantification and specificity to the healthcare decision-making process.

The market will likely expand in two complementary directions: research systems and clinical systems. The research market will continue at a steady pace as OMI approaches become more widely used for drug discovery and preclinical studies. Recent advances in imaging agents will power the transition of optical techniques from the lab to clinical settings. Cameras and optical filters will also be integral components of the clinical devices.

Large imaging firms, such as GE Healthcare, Siemens, and Philips, are beginning to pursue optical molecular imaging, while over 12 companies are already marketing OMI systems.

Optical Molecular Imaging 2010: Technology, Applications, and Markets is the first report to cover this emerging segment of optical imaging systems. It discusses the market opportunities, technology trends, leading system vendors, and key factors that will influence the market. Strategies Unlimited has a reputation for providing deep and trustworthy reporting on complex markets, and the report draws heavily on extensive interviews with experts in the field. Founded in 1979, Strategies Unlimited specializes in market research and strategic consulting directed at photonics systems and components. Other recent reports by Strategies Unlimited cover Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), image sensors, laser applications, and LED lighting systems.

The company, based in Mountain View, California, is a research unit of PennWell Corporation, a global media and information company. PennWell's many brands include Bio Optics World, Vision Systems Design, Industrial Laser Solutions, Laser Focus World, Photovoltaics World, Solid State Technology, and Lightwave.

For more information, contact Strategies Unlimited at +1 650 941-3438 (voice) or e mail at info@strategies-u.com, or check the company's web site at www.strategies-u.com.