The intricate dance between powerful magnetic fields and the human body has given modern medicine one of its most profound diagnostic tools, and now, the technology stands at a pivotal crossroads of innovation and demand. The global Magnetic Resonance Imaging market is on a trajectory of significant expansion, underpinned by a confluence of demographic shifts, technological leaps, and evolving clinical needs. With a current valuation of USD 8.15 billion, the market is projected to reach USD 12.725 billion by 2035, reflecting a steady Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.15%. This growth narrative is not just about numbers; it is about the deepening integration of MRI into healthcare systems worldwide, promising more precise diagnoses and personalized patient care.
This industry report dissects the multifaceted forces shaping the MRI landscape. It examines the foundational elements of the current market, delves into the technological innovations fueling its future, and confronts the significant challenges that could temper its growth. From the influence of artificial intelligence to the economic realities of system acquisition, the following analysis provides a comprehensive outlook on the trends, projections, and strategic considerations that will define the next decade for manufacturers, healthcare providers, and investors in the MRI sector.
Charting the Current MRI Landscape a Pillar of Modern Diagnostics
The Indispensable Role of MRI in Non-Invasive Clinical Diagnosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging has firmly established itself as an essential pillar of contemporary medical diagnostics. Its unique ability to generate high-resolution, multi-planar images of soft tissues—including the brain, muscles, heart, and tumors—without using ionizing radiation makes it an invaluable and safe tool for a vast array of clinical investigations. From detecting subtle neurological abnormalities to staging cancers and assessing musculoskeletal injuries, MRI provides clinicians with detailed anatomical and physiological information that is often unattainable through other imaging modalities like X-ray or CT scans.
This diagnostic prowess translates directly into improved patient outcomes. By enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, MRI empowers physicians to devise more effective treatment plans, monitor disease progression with greater precision, and reduce the need for invasive exploratory procedures. Its role extends beyond diagnosis into treatment planning, particularly in neurosurgery and radiation oncology, where its detailed imaging guides interventions with millimeter accuracy. Consequently, MRI is no longer a niche technology but a standard of care in numerous medical specialties, driving clinical confidence and shaping the course of patient management globally.
Core Market Segments System Architectures Field Strengths and Applications
The MRI market is not a monolith; it is a diverse ecosystem segmented by system architecture, magnetic field strength, and clinical application. System architecture is primarily divided between closed-bore and open systems. Closed-bore designs, which account for a commanding 67.5% of the market, are favored for their superior image quality and signal-to-noise ratio, making them the gold standard for most diagnostic procedures. However, open MRI systems are gaining traction due to their patient-centric design, accommodating claustrophobic, pediatric, and bariatric patients who may struggle with the confines of a traditional scanner.
Field strength further delineates the market, with systems ranging from low-field to ultra-high-field. Mid-field systems (1.5T) represent the largest segment, striking an optimal balance between diagnostic performance, operational cost, and versatility. They are the workhorses of most hospitals and imaging centers. Meanwhile, high-field (3T) and ultra-high-field (7T and above) systems are carving out a significant niche in advanced clinical applications and research, offering unparalleled image detail for complex neurological and musculoskeletal assessments. Application-wise, brain and neurological imaging leads the market, reflecting MRI’s critical role in diagnosing conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors.
The Competitive Ecosystem Key Manufacturers and Market Dynamics
The global MRI market is characterized by a consolidated competitive landscape dominated by a handful of multinational corporations. Industry giants such as Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, and Canon Medical Systems command a significant majority of the market share. These key players leverage their extensive research and development capabilities, vast global distribution networks, and established brand reputations to maintain their market leadership. Their strategies often revolve around continuous innovation, focusing on enhancing image quality, accelerating scan times, and integrating advanced software solutions like artificial intelligence.
Competition among these leaders is fierce, driving a rapid pace of technological advancement. Differentiating factors increasingly include not just hardware specifications but also the sophistication of software platforms, workflow efficiency, and the patient experience. Beyond the top-tier manufacturers, a number of smaller, specialized companies are emerging, often focusing on niche segments like portable MRI, dedicated extremity scanners, or novel software applications. This dynamic creates a market where established players are constantly pushed to innovate while new entrants seek to disrupt the status quo with targeted solutions.
Global Footprint MRIs Significance in Global Healthcare Infrastructure
The adoption and integration of MRI systems are a key indicator of a nation’s healthcare infrastructure maturity. In developed regions like North America and Western Europe, MRI is a ubiquitous diagnostic tool, deeply embedded within hospitals, specialized imaging centers, and academic research institutions. These markets are characterized by high system density, a focus on technology replacement cycles, and the adoption of premium, high-field systems to support advanced clinical services and research.
In contrast, emerging economies in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East represent the next frontier of market growth. Rising healthcare expenditures, government initiatives to modernize medical facilities, and a growing middle class with greater access to private healthcare are fueling demand for new MRI installations. While adoption in these regions is often constrained by cost and a shortage of trained personnel, the sheer volume of unmet clinical need presents a substantial long-term opportunity. The global footprint of MRI is thus expanding, solidifying its status as an essential component of modern healthcare delivery worldwide.
The Momentum of Innovation Key Trends and Growth Projections
The Technological Renaissance Reshaping MRI Capabilities
Pushing the Limits with High-Field and Ultra-High-Field Systems
The quest for greater diagnostic clarity is pushing the technological boundaries of magnetic field strength. The adoption of high-field (3T) and ultra-high-field (7T) MRI systems is a defining trend, moving from the realm of academic research into specialized clinical practice. These powerful systems offer a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio, which translates into images with exceptional detail and resolution. This capability is particularly transformative for neurology, where 7T scanners can visualize minuscule brain structures and lesions previously invisible, advancing the understanding and diagnosis of diseases like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.
While 1.5T systems remain the industry standard for general-purpose imaging, the performance benefits of higher field strengths are creating a strong replacement and supplementary market. Hospitals and advanced imaging centers are increasingly investing in 3T systems to gain a competitive edge and offer superior diagnostic services for oncology, cardiology, and orthopedics. The clinical validation of 7T systems is expanding their application, promising a new era of diagnostic precision for the most challenging clinical cases.
The AI Revolution Enhancing Speed Accuracy and Workflow Automation
Artificial intelligence is arguably the single most disruptive force reshaping the MRI landscape. AI and machine learning algorithms are being integrated across the entire imaging chain, from image acquisition to interpretation and reporting. AI-powered tools are automating scan planning and protocol selection, ensuring greater consistency and reducing the potential for human error. One of the most significant impacts is on image reconstruction, where deep learning algorithms can generate high-quality images from undersampled data, dramatically reducing scan times without compromising diagnostic quality.
Furthermore, AI is enhancing diagnostic accuracy by providing powerful clinical decision support tools. These algorithms can automatically detect and segment anatomical structures, quantify biomarkers, and identify subtle patterns indicative of disease that might be missed by the human eye. This not only aids radiologists in making more confident diagnoses but also streamlines their workflow, allowing them to focus on complex cases and manage increasing imaging volumes more effectively. The integration of AI is transforming MRI from a simple imaging device into an intelligent diagnostic platform.
Patient-Centric Design The Rise of Open Portable and Sustainable MRI
In response to longstanding challenges of patient comfort and access, MRI system design is undergoing a patient-centric evolution. The development of open and wide-bore MRI systems directly addresses patient anxiety and claustrophobia, improving the imaging experience and reducing the need for sedation, especially in pediatric and bariatric populations. These designs enhance patient compliance, leading to fewer motion artifacts and higher-quality scans.
A more recent and groundbreaking innovation is the emergence of portable and low-footprint MRI systems. These compact scanners are designed for point-of-care applications, bringing diagnostic imaging capabilities to locations previously unimaginable, such as intensive care units, emergency departments, and even outpatient clinics. This trend is democratizing access to MRI. Alongside these developments, sustainability has become a key design consideration, with manufacturers engineering systems that consume less power and use more environmentally friendly cooling technologies, aligning with the broader goals of green healthcare.
Accelerating Scans Innovations in Speed for Higher Patient Throughput
Long scan times have historically been a primary operational bottleneck for MRI, limiting patient throughput and contributing to patient discomfort. Addressing this challenge is a major focus of innovation. Advanced imaging techniques, such as parallel imaging and compressed sensing, have become standard features on modern scanners, enabling significant reductions in acquisition times. These methods work by acquiring less data and using sophisticated algorithms to reconstruct a complete, high-fidelity image.
These speed-enhancing technologies deliver substantial benefits for both patients and providers. For patients, shorter scans mean less time spent in the confined space of the scanner, improving comfort and reducing anxiety. For healthcare facilities, faster examinations translate directly into higher patient throughput, allowing them to optimize scanner utilization, reduce patient backlogs, and improve operational efficiency. This focus on speed is critical for making MRI a more accessible and cost-effective diagnostic tool in high-volume settings.
By the Numbers Projecting Market Growth and Performance to 2035
Market Size and Growth Forecasts a Decade of Expansion
The global MRI market is forecast to undergo a period of sustained and robust growth over the next decade. Projections indicate that the market will expand from its current base of USD 8.15 billion to USD 12.725 billion by 2035, driven by a consistent CAGR of 4.15%. This expansion is not speculative but is rooted in powerful underlying drivers, including the rising global prevalence of chronic diseases, a growing and aging population that requires more frequent diagnostic evaluations, and continuous technological advancements that broaden the clinical utility of MRI.
This growth will be supported by increasing healthcare expenditures globally, particularly in emerging economies where governments and private entities are investing heavily in modernizing medical infrastructure. As access to advanced healthcare improves worldwide, the demand for high-quality, non-invasive diagnostic solutions like MRI is set to climb. The forecast reflects a healthy and resilient market poised to play an even more central role in global healthcare delivery.
Analysis by Application From Neurology to Cardiology
A breakdown of the market by application reveals that neurological imaging remains the dominant segment, accounting for 23.5% of the market share. This leadership is due to MRI’s unmatched ability to visualize the intricate structures of the brain and spinal cord, making it indispensable for diagnosing a wide range of neurological disorders. Following neurology, musculoskeletal imaging is another major segment, driven by the high incidence of sports injuries, degenerative joint diseases, and spinal conditions.
However, significant growth is also anticipated in other application areas. Cardiac MRI, for instance, is an expanding field, providing comprehensive assessments of heart structure and function without radiation exposure. Advances in imaging sequences are also bolstering MRI’s role in oncology for tumor detection and staging, as well as in abdominal and breast imaging. The diversification of clinical applications is a key factor that will sustain the market’s long-term growth momentum.
End-User Dynamics Hospitals Imaging Centers and Ambulatory Care
The primary end-users of MRI systems continue to be hospitals, which command 37.2% of the market. Large and medium-sized hospitals require comprehensive diagnostic capabilities to support their diverse clinical services, from emergency medicine to specialized surgical departments. Their high patient volumes and greater capital budgets make them the largest purchasers of MRI systems, particularly high-end, high-field scanners.
Nevertheless, the healthcare landscape is shifting, with a notable trend toward outpatient and ambulatory care. This shift is fueling growth in independent diagnostic imaging centers and ambulatory surgical centers. These facilities often prioritize operational efficiency and patient convenience, creating demand for MRI systems that offer high throughput and a favorable return on investment. The emergence of low-footprint and portable MRI systems is expected to further accelerate this trend, enabling the deployment of MRI in a wider range of non-hospital settings.
Regional Deep Dive North American Dominance and Emerging Market Opportunities
Geographically, North America stands as the dominant force in the global MRI market. This position is cemented by several factors, including its advanced healthcare infrastructure, high levels of healthcare spending, widespread insurance coverage, and a regulatory environment that fosters early adoption of new technologies. The presence of leading manufacturers and world-class research institutions in the region also contributes to its leadership in innovation and market size.
While North America will likely maintain its leading position, the most significant growth opportunities lie in emerging markets, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations are witnessing rapid economic development, urbanization, and a corresponding increase in healthcare investment. As these countries build out their healthcare systems and address the rising burden of chronic diseases, the demand for diagnostic imaging technologies like MRI is projected to soar, making these regions the key battlegrounds for market expansion in the coming decade.
Navigating the Headwinds Key Challenges Confronting the MRI Sector
The Economic Barrier High Costs of Acquisition Installation and Maintenance
Despite its clear clinical benefits, the high cost of MRI technology remains the most significant barrier to its widespread adoption. The initial capital outlay for a new MRI system can range from several hundred thousand to multiple millions of dollars, depending on the field strength and features. This substantial investment is often prohibitive for smaller hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems in resource-limited settings. The economic burden does not end with the purchase; it is compounded by significant ancillary costs.
These additional expenses include the construction of specialized, magnetically shielded rooms, extensive site preparation, and installation, which can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total cost. Furthermore, ongoing operational and maintenance expenses are considerable. Service contracts, cryogen refills for superconducting magnets, and software upgrades represent a continuous financial commitment. This total cost of ownership is a critical factor in purchasing decisions and can limit access to this vital technology, particularly in developing economies.
The Human Element Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Radiologists and Technicians
The effective use of MRI technology is fundamentally dependent on human expertise. An MRI scanner is a complex instrument that requires highly trained technologists to operate it correctly and produce high-quality diagnostic images. Similarly, the interpretation of MRI scans is a sophisticated task that demands the skills of specialized radiologists with extensive training and experience. A persistent global shortage of these skilled professionals poses a significant challenge to the growth of the MRI market.
This workforce gap is particularly acute in rural areas and in many developing countries, where the lack of trained personnel can render a newly installed MRI system underutilized or even inoperable. Even in developed nations, radiology departments are often under pressure due to rising imaging volumes and a limited supply of specialists. While innovations like AI and workflow automation can help mitigate some of these pressures by improving efficiency, they cannot fully replace the critical judgment and expertise of a trained human professional. Addressing this skills shortage through education and training programs is essential for unlocking the full potential of MRI technology.
Operational Hurdles Overcoming Long Scan Times and Patient Compliance Issues
Operational efficiency is a key concern for any high-volume imaging department, and MRI has traditionally faced hurdles in this area. The relatively long scan times required for many MRI protocols can create patient backlogs and limit the number of examinations that can be performed in a day. This not only affects a facility’s revenue but also can lead to long wait times for patients needing diagnostic scans.
Patient compliance is another operational challenge intrinsically linked to scan duration. The need for patients to remain perfectly still for extended periods within a narrow, enclosed space can be difficult, especially for pediatric, anxious, or claustrophobic individuals. Patient motion can introduce artifacts that degrade image quality, sometimes necessitating repeat scans, which further extends the examination time and reduces throughput. While technological advances are continually shortening scan times and system designs are becoming more patient-friendly, these remain persistent operational issues that providers must manage daily.
Financial Complexities The Impact of Reimbursement Policies on Adoption Rates
The financial viability of offering MRI services is heavily influenced by the complex and often variable landscape of reimbursement policies. In many healthcare systems, the payments provided by government payers and private insurance companies for MRI scans directly impact a healthcare facility’s ability to recoup its investment in the technology. Inconsistent or declining reimbursement rates can squeeze profit margins and make it difficult to justify the high cost of acquiring and maintaining a new MRI system.
These financial complexities can create uncertainty and act as a deterrent to technology adoption. Healthcare providers must carefully analyze the reimbursement environment in their specific market before committing to a major capital investment. Furthermore, securing reimbursement for newer, more advanced MRI applications can be a lengthy process, as payers often require extensive clinical evidence to demonstrate cost-effectiveness. This can slow the clinical adoption of innovative techniques, creating a lag between technological possibility and routine clinical practice.
The Compliance Compass Steering Through a Complex Regulatory Framework
The Role of Global Regulatory Bodies in Ensuring Safety and Efficacy
The MRI market operates within a stringent regulatory framework overseen by global bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other national health authorities. The primary mandate of these organizations is to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical devices before they can be marketed and used on patients. Manufacturers must navigate a rigorous and often lengthy pre-market approval or clearance process, which involves submitting extensive data from clinical trials and performance testing to demonstrate that their systems are safe for patients and perform as intended.
This regulatory oversight is crucial for protecting public health, but it also adds a significant layer of complexity and cost to the product development cycle. Compliance with these standards is non-negotiable and requires a deep understanding of evolving regulations across different international markets. These bodies continue to monitor devices even after they are on the market, requiring manufacturers to report adverse events and maintain robust quality control systems, ensuring that patient safety remains the highest priority throughout the product lifecycle.
Adherence to Evolving Standards for Image Quality and Data Security
Beyond initial device approval, the MRI sector must adhere to a host of evolving standards related to performance and data management. Professional organizations and standards bodies establish guidelines for image quality, protocol optimization, and quality assurance to ensure that diagnostic scans are consistent and reliable. Adherence to these standards is essential for accreditation and for maintaining a high standard of clinical care.
In the digital age, data security has become an equally critical area of compliance. MRI systems generate and transmit vast amounts of sensitive protected health information (PHI), making them subject to strict data privacy and security regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. Manufacturers and healthcare providers must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect patient data from breaches, ensuring confidentiality and integrity while enabling the secure exchange of information for clinical collaboration and research.
Navigating Reimbursement Landscapes and Health Technology Assessments
For an MRI technology to achieve widespread clinical adoption, it must not only be safe and effective but also be deemed cost-effective by payers. This involves navigating the complex world of reimbursement policies and Health Technology Assessments (HTAs). HTA bodies evaluate new medical technologies to provide evidence-based recommendations to payers and governments about their clinical and economic value. A favorable HTA is often a prerequisite for securing favorable reimbursement coverage.
Manufacturers must build a compelling value proposition for their new technologies, supported by robust clinical and economic evidence. This often requires conducting dedicated studies to demonstrate that an innovation, such as a faster scanning technique or a new diagnostic application, leads to improved patient outcomes, reduced downstream healthcare costs, or enhanced operational efficiency. Successfully navigating this process is critical for ensuring that innovative MRI technologies are accessible to the patients who can benefit from them.
The Influence of Regulations on Innovation and Market Access
The regulatory framework has a profound influence on the pace and direction of innovation in the MRI market. While regulations are essential for ensuring safety, a highly complex or unpredictable regulatory environment can stifle innovation by increasing the time and cost required to bring new products to market. Manufacturers must strategically plan their R&D pipelines to align with regulatory requirements and anticipate future changes in standards.
Regulations also shape market access. Obtaining regulatory approval in key markets like the U.S., Europe, and Japan is a critical milestone for any new MRI product. The harmonization of regulations across different countries can facilitate faster global market access, while divergent national requirements can create significant barriers. As a result, a company’s ability to effectively manage its regulatory strategy is a key determinant of its commercial success and its ability to compete in the global marketplace.
The Next Horizon Emerging Technologies and Future Growth Areas
Tapping into Potential Growth Opportunities in Emerging Economies
While established markets in North America and Europe continue to be important, the most significant untapped potential for growth in the MRI market lies in emerging economies. Nations across Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are in the midst of a historic expansion of their healthcare infrastructure. Rising disposable incomes, increasing health awareness, and government-led initiatives to improve public health are creating a surge in demand for advanced medical technologies.
This presents a tremendous opportunity for MRI manufacturers, but it also requires a nuanced approach. The demand in these regions is often for systems that are not only clinically robust but also affordable, easy to operate, and resilient enough to function in environments with less stable infrastructure. Success in these markets will depend on the ability of companies to develop and market cost-effective solutions tailored to local needs, coupled with investments in training and service support to build a sustainable ecosystem for advanced diagnostic imaging.
MRIs Expanding Role in Precision Medicine and Personalized Treatment
The future of medicine is increasingly personalized, and MRI is poised to play a central role in this paradigm shift. Beyond its traditional role in anatomical imaging, advanced MRI techniques are providing quantitative biomarkers that offer deep insights into tissue physiology, metabolic function, and molecular processes. Techniques like diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI (fMRI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy are moving from research to clinical practice, enabling a more personalized understanding of disease.
This capability is transforming treatment planning. In oncology, for example, MRI can be used to characterize the unique biological properties of a tumor, helping to predict its response to specific therapies. In neurology, it can map brain function to guide surgical interventions and monitor the effects of neurodegenerative diseases. As MRI continues to evolve into a tool for quantitative biology, it will become an indispensable component of precision medicine, guiding the delivery of the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.
The Future of AI Predictive Analytics and Advanced Clinical Decision Support
The integration of artificial intelligence into MRI is still in its early stages, and its future potential is vast. The next wave of AI development will move beyond image enhancement and workflow automation toward predictive analytics and advanced clinical decision support. AI models are being trained on massive imaging datasets to identify subtle patterns that can predict disease onset, forecast progression, and anticipate treatment outcomes.
Imagine an MRI platform that can not only diagnose a condition but also provide a probabilistic forecast of a patient’s clinical trajectory based on their unique imaging signature. These predictive insights could revolutionize preventative medicine and long-term disease management. Furthermore, AI-driven decision support systems will provide radiologists with real-time, evidence-based recommendations, integrating imaging findings with other clinical data to suggest differential diagnoses and optimal care pathways. This will augment the capabilities of clinicians, leading to more consistent, accurate, and evidence-based healthcare.
Shifting Care Models The Market for Low-Footprint MRI in Outpatient Settings
The long-term trend of shifting healthcare delivery from inpatient hospital settings to more accessible and cost-effective outpatient environments is creating a new market for specialized MRI systems. Traditional MRI scanners, with their large size and significant infrastructure requirements, are ill-suited for many smaller clinics and ambulatory care centers. This has opened the door for innovation in low-footprint, portable, and point-of-care MRI systems.
These compact systems are designed to be installed and operated in a wider variety of clinical settings, from orthopedic practices and sports medicine clinics to neurology offices and even primary care facilities. By bringing MRI directly to the point of care, these systems can accelerate diagnosis, reduce the need for patient referrals, and improve convenience. As these technologies mature and their diagnostic capabilities expand, they are expected to capture a growing share of the market, fundamentally changing where and how MRI is utilized within the healthcare ecosystem.
Synthesizing the Future Concluding Insights and Strategic Outlook
Summary of Core Drivers Technology Demographics and Clinical Need
The analysis presented made clear that the MRI market’s upward trajectory was powered by a potent combination of forces. Technological innovation stood out as the primary catalyst, with advancements in high-field systems, artificial intelligence, and patient-centric designs continually expanding the diagnostic power and operational efficiency of the technology. This was amplified by powerful demographic tailwinds, namely a growing and aging global population with a rising incidence of chronic diseases. Finally, the persistent and expanding clinical need for precise, non-invasive diagnostic tools ensured that MRI remained an indispensable component of modern medicine.
Balancing Challenges with Strategic Opportunities for Growth
Despite the positive outlook, the market’s path forward was not without its obstacles. The significant economic barriers of high acquisition and maintenance costs, coupled with a global shortage of skilled radiologists and technicians, were identified as key constraints on adoption. Moreover, operational hurdles like long scan times and the complexities of navigating regulatory and reimbursement landscapes presented ongoing challenges. However, these challenges also illuminated strategic opportunities. The need for affordable systems created a market for innovation in cost-effective designs, while the skills gap spurred the development of AI-driven automation and decision support tools.
Final Verdict The Trajectory of the MRI Market
The comprehensive examination of the market’s drivers, challenges, and emerging trends led to a confident verdict. The trajectory of the global MRI market was one of sustained growth and transformative evolution. The fundamental clinical value of MRI, combined with a relentless pace of innovation, was set to overcome existing barriers and unlock new applications in areas like precision medicine and point-of-care diagnostics. The market was not just growing in size; it was expanding in its scope and impact on healthcare delivery.
Recommendations for Stakeholders Navigating the Path Forward
In light of these findings, a clear set of strategic recommendations emerged for stakeholders. Manufacturers were advised to focus on a dual strategy: pushing the boundaries of high-end technology while also developing accessible, cost-effective solutions for emerging markets and outpatient settings. Healthcare providers were encouraged to strategically invest in technologies that enhance workflow efficiency and patient throughput, such as AI-powered platforms. For investors and policymakers, the report highlighted the importance of supporting training programs to address the workforce shortage and developing reimbursement models that reward value and innovation, thereby ensuring that the full potential of MRI technology was realized for the benefit of patients worldwide.
