The global market for proton therapy systems is expected to triple by 2018, according to a new market research report by MEDraysintell.
As of 2012, there were around 110 proton therapy treatment rooms caring for patients on a regular basis in the world. The report predicts that number will grow to 300 by 2018. In addition, as of August 2013 there were 43 operational particle therapy facilities globally, representing 121 treatment rooms, up from just eight rooms in 1990. The report notes this represents only 0.9% of all conventional radiation therapy systems in use around the globe.
The MEDraysintell report expects the global proton therapy market to grow by 10% annually to reach $2.5 billion U.S. (1.9 billion euros) in revenues in 2030, for a total of 1,000 proton therapy treatment rooms. The growth will be driven by the success of smaller and cheaper proton therapy systems in the coming years, as well as a broader use of proton therapy for more cancer indications. The firm also gave a more optimistic scenario in which the market could grow 14% annually to reach $5 billion U.S. (3.8 billion euros) in sales in 2030.
The report estimates IBA will have the largest share of the particle therapy market in 2018, with 29%, followed by Varian Medical Systems with 14% and Mitsubishi and Hitachi hold 8% to 9% each.