Developments in the competitive landscape:
Due to semiconductor shortages market leader Hologic lost single-digit market share in 2022. However, Hologic managed to recoup lost market share in 2023 as supply chains stabilised and lead times returned to normality. 2023 also saw Siemens Healthineers withdraw from the ABUS space, decreasing their overall breast imaging revenue and allowing GE HealthCare to fully capitalize on the increase of supplementary screening in North America.
Fujifilm’s market share is also rising as it focuses on growth within the U.S. Its acquisition of Hitachi has also positioned it well in the Breast Imaging market. This acquisition allows them to offer multimodal deals, while their competitive pricing strategy has helped them to win tenders in developing economies as well as securing over 40 DBT systems in the 2023 Italian CONSIP tender.
Breast Imaging AI outlook:
2023 was an exceptional year for developments in breast imaging AI, most notably with the release of ScreenTrustCAD and MASAI trial results, which gave critical evidence for AI’s adoption into screening programmes. They provided large scale prospective evidence for ScreenPoint’s Transpara and Lunit’s INSIGHT MMG non-inferiority when replacing the second reader in breast cancer screening, the standard of care across Europe. Lunit is also now set to begin implementing INSIGHT MMG within the PACS for BreastScreen NSW, the breast screening program for New South Wales, Australia. Success in this phase is expected to secure a 5-year contract with BreastScreen NSW and may lead to Lunit having the first AI to be used in a national screening program, if Australia seeks to expand the initiative.
The global Breast Imaging AI market is predicted to reach $233.9 million by 2027 with Americas accounting for over two thirds of the market. DBT AI will account for much of this growth due to its promise in reducing their extended scan times compared to FFDM and the pending implementation for DBT in screening outside of the USA. Currently however, 2D accounts for most breast imaging AI solutions on the market, as 2D images are still the standard for mammography until DBT is approved for screening elsewhere.
