Description

According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the Vietnam Digital Pathology Market size is expected to project a considerable CAGR of 13.9% from 2024 to 2033. 

The Vietnam digital pathology market is characterized by constantly growing at a high pace due to the introduction of innovative technologies in the healthcare sector and higher requirements for diagnostics. This market includes digital imaging, computer-based techniques, or virtual microscopy meant to replace the analysis of traditional glass slides with the help of pathological assessment. These include increasing cancer incidence, efforts from the authorities in the progress of infrastructures around the health sector, and increased concern from the practitioners within the niche of digital pathology. Telepathology is the other factor that has helped the market to grow since it facilitates consultations and second opinions while the patient is still at home. However, factors such as high initial costs and the need for highly trained personnel may slow down the full implementation. In general, the Vietnam digital pathology market has significant future development potential which can result in the enhancement of patient outcomes and more efficient ways of pathology practices.

Definition of the Digital Pathology

Digital pathology is a dynamic modality of image-based pathology information that consists of acquiring, managing, and analyzing the pathologic information derived from the digitized glass slides. This technology incorporates digital imaging, advanced computing, and virtual microscopy, to improve the effectiveness and precision of pathological diagnosis. From converting conventional ‘glass slide analysis’ to ‘digital analysis’ that can be coordinated across geographic locations, it provides enhanced networking, timely consultations, and better handling of records, which in turn greatly enhances the clinical practice and investigation in pathology.

Vietnam Digital Pathology Market Dynamics

Drivers: Advancements in Healthcare Technology

The developments in the field of information technology as applied to imaging, digital imaging, and computing have greatly improved the diagnostic capabilities and speed of analysis of pathology. Digital pathology is the process by which traditional glass slides are scanned with high-resolution scanners for digital modal and can be stored, analyzed, and shared. These digital images are further analyzed with the help of complex mathematical algorithms and artificial neural networks (ANNs), which make the identification of pathological characteristics both accurate and very fast. 

The applications of AI in pathology include guiding where to look and identifying the proportional density of cell types, and prognosis of diseases, thus minimizing both mistakes and inter-individual variation. Moreover, the integration between digital pathology and Electronic Health Records (EHR) originating from a clinical laboratory setting brings efficiency to routines where practitioners and pathologists can be informed without delays concerning the patient data and the results of the diagnostic analyses. This advancement in technology is not only beneficial in the enhancement of an accurate diagnostic but also helps in the reduction of the time to issue pathology reports resulting in improved patient care and thus better management of the patient. As a result, these innovations have made digital pathology implementations prevalent in Vietnam.

Challenges: High Initial Cost

High installation costs are one of the major challenges to the revolutionizing applications and infrastructure for digital pathology. The huge investment in terms of equipment—the digital equipment needed also means high-resolution scanners, servers for the storage of the images, and the software itself for the analysis and management of the images—further elevates costs. The expenses go higher upon integration into the current healthcare infrastructure, which must include EHR. This is even more difficult for the smaller health facilities or those in developing regions, such as parts of Vietnam. 

In addition to the actual equipment costs, training personnel to operate these systems adequately and maintain them is the cost. This will be in the face of continual technical support and upgrades to enhance the equipment's efficiency and security of data. It follows, therefore, that while digital pathology is linked with huge long-term benefits, the very high upfront investments often dissuade many institutions from investing in the technology, thus decelerating its overall market penetration and delaying the realization of benefits that improved diagnostic accuracy and efficiency can bring.

Scope of the Vietnam Digital Pathology Market 

The study categorizes the Digital Pathology market based on product, application, and end-users at the regional and Vietnam levels.

By Product Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Scanners
• Software
• Services

By Application Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Oncology
• Infectious diseases
• Others 

By End-Users Outlook (Sales, USD Million, 2019-2033)

• Hospitals and Reference Laboratories
• Academic and Research Institutes
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

Scanners segment accounts for the largest market share by product

Based on the product, the market is divided into Scanners, Software, and Services. The scanners segment accounted for the largest market share in the Vietnam Digital Pathology market. The scanners, in particular the whole-slide imaging scanners, are a backbone for digitization in converting conventional glass slides to high-resolution digital images. Devices such as these are important for realizing the core functionality of digital pathology and hence play an integral role in any setup about digital pathology. Advanced scanners that produce high-quality images to facilitate accurate and efficient diagnostic assessments drive demand. Additionally, increasing adoption of digital pathology in hospitals and reference laboratories will raise demand for robust and reliable scanning technology. Early and accurate diagnosis of diseases, especially cancer, is an area of growing emphasis and further accelerates the demand for advanced scanners. Huge investments are consequently made in the procurement and upgradation of these vital instruments, thereby making the scanners segment the major driving force in the Vietnam digital pathology market.

Competitive Landscape: Vietnam Digital Pathology Market 

The Vietnam digital pathology market competitors comprise global and local players seeking to dominate the market. Market growth is promoted through the massive investment in R&D and the introduction of innovative technologies from leading global companies. Local firms aim to provide affordable solutions and target services that are relevant to certain geographic areas. These entities often collaborate and partner to ensure that they bring in innovative solutions with localized approaches to spur market growth and enhance diagnostics. 

Major players in the Vietnam Digital Pathology market are: 

• Sysmex Vietnam Co. Ltd.
• Philips Vietnam
• Roche Diagnostics Vietnam
• Leica Biosystems
• 3DHISTECH
• Hikma Vietnam
• Other Major Players

Recent Development 

• In February 2024, Roche collaborated with PathAI to use the potential of Artificial Intelligence to aid the development of algorithms for companion diagnostics. PathAI will work only with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) for an undetermined time that has been agreed upon before the signing of this agreement to create AI-assisted algorithms in digital pathology in the sphere of companion diagnostics.