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Top companies and takeaways of the endoscopy devices industry

Written by Olivia Lowden | Feb 22, 2023 2:00:00 PM

With a history dating as far back as 460 BC, endoscopies have impressive staying power and a clear lasting appeal. As well as being minimally invasive, the procedure doesn’t generally require lengthy hospital stays or carry a hefty price tag. Endoscopies are relatively simple, highly effective in early detection, and can assess the severity of common conditions like: 

  • Stomach pain
  • Ulcers, gastritis, or difficulty swallowing
  • Digestive tract bleeding
  • Changes in bowel habits (chronic constipation or diarrhea)
  • Polyps or growths in the colon

The benefits of endoscopies are pushing the market along a steady upward trajectory. BCC Research predicts the global market for endoscopy devices will increase from $51.7 billion in 2022 to reach $75.9 billion by 2027, growing annually at a rate of 8%.

Top takeaways of the market for endoscopic devices

  • North America accounts for the largest share of the global market, in terms of region, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific.
  • The Asia-Pacific region is expected to achieve the highest CAGR (9.1%) over the forecast period due to growing demand for endoscopy in emerging countries such as India and China.
  • The markets of emerging countries are expanding because of increases in medical spending, improvements in medical infrastructure and changes in lifestyle.
  • More than 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight in 2014, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of this number, 600 million people were obese and at high risk for developing gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. In the U.S., the annual spending on GI diseases is estimated at nearly $140 billion.
  • The increasing incidence of GI diseases such as acid reflux, stomach ulcers, etc., bodes well for market growth.

10 leaders in the endoscopies landscape

Endoscopic technology has changed the way we detect diseases and perform surgeries. The market for endoscopic devices is driving innovation within the field which will one day make self-propelled endoscopes and shape-conforming overtubes a reality. This will allow for simpler and more effective colonoscopy exams.

Seven big names currently play a key role in the global market for endoscopy devices. But alongside these core leaders are at least 100 smaller companies that are developing innovative new endoscopic equipment. The top ten companies as determined by BCC Research are:

1.  Ethicon Endo-Surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery is an offshoot of Johnson & Johnson, and is the number one market player for endoscopic devices. The company holds the highest market share of 21.4%m and maintains its lead in the endomechanical instrument sector due to its strong relationships with surgeons. Ethicon’s strong product pipeline should sustain the company’s leading position in the coming years and help push the company to new heights.

2.  Olympus

BCC Research has ranked Olympus as the number two company in the endoscopy devices market. As a leader in the GI, ENT, bronchoscopy and gynecology endoscopy segments, the brand is expected to maintain its strong position. It maintains a global market share of 14.2%.

3.  Medtronic 

Number three on the list is Medtronic. The company’s endoscopy segment operates under the name Covidien, based in Dublin, Ireland. Medtronic is looking to expand its share in the endoscopy device market by introducing new single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) devices. Medtronic’s current global market share stands at 13.8%.

4.  Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific Corp. develops and manufactures medical devices used in surgical procedures. Its endoscopy and interventional bronchoscopy products are used to diagnose and treat digestive diseases as well as pulmonary diseases.

While its major focus is on cardiac devices, it also produces biliary stents, drainage catheters and micropuncture sets to treat, diagnose, and ease various forms of benign and malignant tumors. Boston Scientific holds the fourth-largest market share of those evaluated. 

5.  Stryker

Stryker Corp., through its many divisions, is a leading medical technology company. Its endoscopic products include endoscopes, endoscopic instruments and accessories, and viewing systems. These products service the laparoscopy, urology, arthroscopic, and gynecology medical specialties. 

6.  Smith & Nephew

The Smith & Nephew Endoscopy group is a leader in arthroscopy, or the MIS of the knee, shoulder, hip, wrist and ankle. The company is researching advances in products and materials technology for some types of reconstructive surgery.

7.  Karl Storz

Karl Storz is a manufacturer of endoscopic devices for a wide range of applications, including human and veterinary medicine, manufacturing, the building industry, and quality control. Karl Storz focuses on the following laparoscopy, urologic endoscopy, GI endoscopy, ENT and bronchoscopy, neurology endoscopy, arthroscopy, and gynecology endoscopy. 

8.  Fujifilm

Fujifilm Healthcare is a leading provider of endoscopic and endosurgical devices and systems. In October 2022, Fujifilm announced that it had obtained 510k clearance for its new EG-740UT linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) scope, which is compatible with the Arietta 850. The EG-740UT is the company’s premium EUS scope, designed for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound procedures in the upper digestive tract. 

9.  Hoya

Hoya Corp. is a supplier of high-tech healthcare products. Hoya develops endoscopes under the Pentax Medical brand.

10.  Cook Medical

Cook Medical Inc. was established in Denmark, in 1969. It designs and manufactures minimally invasive medical devices for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The company now has 700 employees and ten strategic business units. Products are manufactured on three continents and are distributed to 135 countries.

Learn about the changing face of healthcare

At BCC Research, we focus on the bigger picture. As well as providing granular market research on the endoscopy devices market, we’ve also mapped out the megatrends set to change the overall face of healthcare. For those working within this sector, understanding the overarching trends and upcoming changes is essential for conducting successful business. 

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