U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Services Market Expected to Reach $768.95 Million by 2029

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “U.S. Clinical Trial Imaging Services Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025–2029," The U.S. clinical trial imaging services market size was valued at $555.09 million in 2024 and is estimated to reach $768.95 million by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.7% from 2025 to 2029. The neurology segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period.

Clinical trial imaging services refer to the use of medical imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound to collect and analyze visual data during the course of clinical trials. These services play a crucial role in evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational drugs, biologics, and medical devices.

Imaging allows researchers to monitor disease progression, measure treatment response, and detect potential adverse effects with greater precision. Clinical trial imaging services typically include image acquisition, data management, quality control, image interpretation by radiologists, and centralized image analysis. These services are often provided by specialized imaging core laboratories or contract research organizations (CROs) that ensure standardization, regulatory compliance, and consistency across multiple trial sites. As imaging endpoints become more widely accepted by regulatory authorities such as the FDA, the demand for high-quality imaging services in clinical research continues to grow.

Factors that drive the growth of the U.S. clinical trial imaging services market include the increase in prevalence of chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders led to a surge in clinical trials requiring advanced imaging support. For example, oncology trials rely heavily on imaging techniques like MRI and PET to monitor tumor response and progression.

In addition, technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI)-driven image analysis and cloud-based image sharing platforms have improved image interpretation speed, accuracy, and accessibility across trial sites, drive the U.S. clinical trial imaging services market growth. Favorable government support for R&D and decentralized trials is also expanding imaging service adoption. These combined factors are propelling market growth and enhancing the role of imaging in clinical development across the U.S.

The U.S. clinical trial imaging services market is categorized into end user, service type, and therapeutic area. On the basis of the end user, it is segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers, academic and government research institutes, and integrated CROs & non-integrated CROs. The integrated CROs and non-integrated CROs segment accounted for the largest share in terms of revenue in 2024 and is expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to increasing outsourcing of imaging services to CROs for improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined operations. In addition, rising demand for specialized imaging expertise and end-to-end trial support further supports the segment growth.

On the basis of service type, the U.S. clinical trial imaging services market is classified into clinical trial design and consultation services, reading and analytical services, operational imaging services, project and data management services, and others. The reading and analytical services segment dominated the market share in 2024 and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing complexity of clinical trials that require expert interpretation of imaging data to ensure accuracy and consistency. The demand for specialized reading services has grown due to the need for centralized image review, standardized assessments, and compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.

On the basis of therapeutic area, it is segmented into oncology, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and others. The oncology segment dominated the market share in 2024. This is attributed to the rise in prevalence of cancer and the increasing number of oncology clinical trials focused on developing innovative targeted therapies and immunotherapies. The critical role of imaging in tumor detection, staging, treatment response assessment, and monitoring disease progression drives strong demand for advanced imaging services.

However, the neurology segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to the rise in prevalence of neurodegenerative and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, which are driving increased clinical research and drug development activities. The complexity of neurological trials, requiring advanced imaging techniques like MRI and PET scans for precise diagnosis and monitoring, is boosting demand for specialized imaging services.

Key findings of the study

• On the basis of end user, the integrated CROs and non-integrated CROs segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• On the basis of service type, the reading and analytical services segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• On the basis of therapeutic area, the oncology segment dominated the market share in 2024. However, the neurology segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.