• In October 2022, Duchem Bio introduced FACBC, the first radiopharmaceutical in the world specifically for diagnosing prostate cancer patients, to the Korean market. FACBC had previously been approved in the United States in 2016 and the European Union in 2017. Since then, it has been used with around 196,000 patients.

• In January 2021, QSAM Biosciences Inc. reported promising outcomes from a study assessing radioactive impurity levels in its leading drug candidate, Samarium-153-DOTMP (also known as CycloSam). The study results suggest a positive safety profile for CycloSam and indicate potential broader applications if the drug is eventually approved for commercial use.

In this report, the Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by Product Typ, Procedure, Application, End User and Geography.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market, Segmentation by Product Type

The Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by Type Into Technetium (Tc-99m), Thallium (TI-201), Gallium (Ga-67), Iodine (I-123), and Fluorine-18 (18F-FDG).

Technetium (Tc-99m)
Technetium-99m dominates the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals market with an estimated 65% share. Renowned for its ideal half-life, excellent gamma emission, and compatibility with SPECT imaging, Tc-99m is widely utilized for cardiac scans, bone imaging, and renal function studies. Its reliability, availability, and cost-effectiveness make it the backbone of nuclear medicine diagnostics globally.

Thallium (Tl-201)
Thallium-201 accounts for approximately 10% of the market. Primarily used in myocardial perfusion imaging, it helps assess coronary artery disease and cardiac ischemia, especially when Technetium-based tracers are not ideal. Though declining in use, Tl-201 still serves specific diagnostic niches.

Gallium (Ga-67)
Gallium-67 makes up about 7% of the market and is valued for its utility in infection imaging and tumor detection, particularly in lymphomas and fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, its use is gradually diminishing with the emergence of PET-based alternatives.

Iodine (I-123)
Iodine-123 represents around 8% of the global share, primarily used for thyroid imaging, neurological diagnostics, and metastatic disease localization. It offers lower radiation doses and clearer imaging compared to traditional iodine isotopes, making it a preferred choice for sensitive organs.

Fluorine-18 (18F-FDG)
Fluorine-18 (18F-FDG) contributes about 10% of the market. As the gold standard in PET imaging, 18F-FDG is extensively used in oncology for tumor detection, staging, and treatment monitoring, as well as in brain and cardiac metabolic studies, due to its ability to track glucose uptake at the cellular level.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market, Segmentation by Procedure

The Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by Procedure into X-Ray/CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, and Others.

X-Ray/CT
X-Ray and computed tomography (CT) dominate the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market with an estimated 55% share. These imaging techniques are the most frequently used worldwide and depend on iodine- and barium-based contrast agents to enhance the visibility of organs, blood vessels, and tissue abnormalities. X-Ray/CT is essential in trauma care, cardiovascular diagnostics, and oncology assessments.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI procedures represent approximately 25% of the global market. This modality relies on gadolinium-based contrast media, which provide detailed visualization of soft tissue structures, brain lesions, tumors, and spinal disorders. The non-invasive nature of MRI, combined with its superior resolution, makes it increasingly important in neuroimaging and musculoskeletal evaluations.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound holds about 12% of the market, with growing application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using microbubble agents. This method improves the detection of cardiac anomalies, liver lesions, and vascular irregularities, offering real-time, radiation-free imaging that is especially valuable in pediatric and bedside settings.

Others
Other imaging procedures, accounting for the remaining 8%, include PET, SPECT, and gamma scans, which utilize radiopharmaceuticals to produce functional images of organs and tissues. These are essential tools in oncology staging, cardiac perfusion studies, and neurological evaluations.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market, Segmentation by Application

The Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by Application into Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Interventional Cardiology, and Others.

Radiology
Radiology leads the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market with an estimated 60% share. This segment encompasses the majority of CT, MRI, and X-ray procedures, where contrast agents are used to improve visibility of internal organs, blood vessels, and soft tissues. Radiology remains the cornerstone of non-invasive diagnostic imaging, supporting early detection and monitoring of a wide range of diseases.

Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology holds about 20% of the market and is rapidly expanding due to its use in image-guided minimally invasive procedures. These include vascular interventions, tumor ablations, and drainage procedures, where contrast agents help in real-time imaging and procedural accuracy. This application offers lower risk, faster recovery, and reduced hospital stays compared to traditional surgery.

Interventional Cardiology
Interventional cardiology represents roughly 15% of the global market. It utilizes iodinated contrast agents during procedures such as coronary angiography, angioplasty, and cardiac catheterization. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and demand for precision cardiac diagnostics are key drivers in this segment.

Others
Other applications, comprising about 5%, include use in nuclear medicine imaging, neurological studies, oncology, and gastrointestinal diagnostics. These applications leverage radiopharmaceuticals for functional imaging, enabling physicians to assess organ performance, detect tumor activity, and plan personalized treatment strategies.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market, Segmentation by End User

The Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by End User into Hospitals, Research & Academics Institutes, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, and Others.

Hospitals
Hospitals lead the global diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market with a dominant 55% share. They perform the majority of advanced imaging procedures, including PET scans, CT, and MRI, often supported by well-equipped radiology departments. Hospitals also handle complex diagnostic cases and have access to a broader range of imaging agents and technologies, making them critical end users of contrast media.

Research & Academic Institutes
Research and academic institutes represent about 10% of the market. These facilities play a pivotal role in the development and validation of new radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media through preclinical research, clinical studies, and imaging protocol advancements. Their focus is more on innovation and clinical translation than on routine diagnostics.

Diagnostic Imaging Centers
Diagnostic imaging centers hold approximately 30% of global demand. These centers operate independently or in partnership with hospitals and clinics, offering specialized outpatient diagnostic services. Their high throughput and reliance on contrast-enhanced modalities such as CT and MRI make them a significant consumer of both contrast agents and radiotracers.

Others
The remaining 5% includes alternative settings such as mobile diagnostic units, military medical facilities, and veterinary hospitals. These users contribute to growing demand for portable, cost-effective, and location-specific imaging solutions, particularly in remote or resource-limited areas.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2024

North America
North America leads the global diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market with a share of about 40%. This dominance is fueled by the widespread availability of advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, high rates of oncology and cardiovascular imaging, and the presence of major industry players. The U.S. continues to set the benchmark in radiotracer innovation, regulatory approvals, and clinical adoption of new contrast agents.

Europe
Europe holds around 25% of the market and benefits from comprehensive healthcare coverage, government-backed screening programs, and the proliferation of hybrid imaging techniques like PET-CT and PET-MRI. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK have established infrastructures for radiopharmaceutical logistics and clinical diagnostics.

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific accounts for approximately 20% and is the fastest-growing regional market. Rising healthcare expenditure, a surge in cancer and neurological disorders, and efforts to modernize hospital infrastructure are accelerating adoption. Nations such as India, China, and South Korea are investing in nuclear medicine training, PET centers, and local production of radiopharmaceuticals.

Middle East & Africa
Middle East & Africa represent around 8% of the global market. The region is seeing rising adoption of contrast imaging and radioisotope diagnostics in line with expanding cancer screening initiatives and improved access to radiology services in the GCC countries and South Africa.

Latin America
Latin America comprises nearly 7% of global demand. The region is gaining momentum through government funding, mobile imaging units, and partnerships that enhance radiopharmaceutical distribution in underserved areas. Brazil and Mexico are leading efforts to increase availability of diagnostic radiology for both urban and rural populations.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases
• Advances in molecular imaging technology
• Growing demand for early disease diagnosis

• Rising investments in healthcare infrastructure - Increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure are fueling growth in the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market. Expanded funding enables hospitals and clinics to adopt advanced imaging technologies that depend on these diagnostic agents for accurate disease detection and management.

  This financial support enhances the capacity to acquire cutting-edge equipment and facilitates specialized training for healthcare professionals. Improved infrastructure also makes it possible to conduct complex molecular imaging procedures, essential for early and precise diagnosis of chronic and acute conditions.

  As healthcare facilities improve, access to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media extends beyond urban centers to remote and underserved regions, promoting earlier intervention and better patient outcomes.

  Continued global enhancement of healthcare infrastructure creates a favorable environment for the widespread adoption of these diagnostic agents, driving steady market expansion and technological innovation.

Restraints

• Strict regulatory approval requirements
• High costs of diagnostic agents
• Limited availability in low-income regions

• Concerns over patient safety and side effects - Patient safety concerns and potential side effects pose major challenges for the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market. Although these agents are critical for diagnostic imaging, risks such as allergic reactions, kidney toxicity, and radiation exposure may limit their use, especially among vulnerable patients.

  Healthcare providers often take a cautious approach in prescribing these agents, adhering to strict safety protocols and regulatory guidelines. This caution can restrict the usage scope and slow market adoption.

  The need to balance diagnostic advantages with safety concerns adds complexity for manufacturers and healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of developing safer and better-tolerated diagnostic agents to foster broader acceptance.

Opportunities

• Expansion in emerging markets
• Development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals
• Integration with personalized medicine approaches

• Adoption in outpatient diagnostic centers - The shift toward outpatient diagnostic centers offers significant growth potential for the diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media market. These centers provide more convenient access to advanced imaging services that were once limited to hospital settings.

  Outpatient facilities reduce patient travel and wait times, enabling timely disease diagnosis and ongoing monitoring, which is especially critical for managing chronic illnesses. This improved accessibility supports more regular screenings and follow-ups.

  As outpatient centers increasingly incorporate these diagnostic agents, the market expands and stimulates innovation tailored to their specific needs, fostering sustained growth and wider adoption across healthcare systems.

Key players in Global Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals & Contrast Media Market include,

• NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd
• Bayer AG
• Bracco Imaging SpA
• Curium Pharma
• GE Company (GE Healthcare)
• Guerbet Group
• Lantheus Holdings Inc.
• Cardinal Health Inc.
• Nano Therapeutics Pvt Ltd
• Siemens Healthineers
• Trivitron Healthcare
• Koninklijke Philips NV
• Triad Isotopes
• Spago Nanomedical AB
• Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis