Teleradiology Services and AI-Based Solutions are Projected to Profit from Fresh Capital Investments

 Market Insights:

Healthcare became the only priority across the world after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while some issues came to the top of that list, the rest were put on the back burner to reduce the risk of patients getting infected. Since healthcare settings, such as hospitals and diagnostic centers, were a hotspot for the virus, it seemed unsafe for people to visit them. However, advancements in technology provided some medical professionals the opportunity to work remotely. Teleradiology is when a radiologist interprets medical images without being at the location where the images are generated. Teleradiology services are now being offered by mobile imaging companies, hospitals, urgent care facilities, and private practices. 

Teleradiology has been prevalent across the modern radiology practice and has aided practices in getting multispecialty, after-hours, and geographic coverage. It reduces turnaround time and increases underserved access. However, the quality assurance involved in offsite interpretation is crucial, and IT integration solutions might be the solution smaller practices need to successfully adopt teleradiology. After the imaging for elective procedures’ backlog was given the green light in the third quarter and teleradiology services and AI-based solutions are projected to profit from fresh capital investments. Flexible payment options, scale-up in capacity, redistribution of workload, and reduced human contact, will help the growth of the teleradiology services market. Dental teleradiology is also a growing sector in the teleradiology services market.

A recent survey conducted by American College of Radiology found that 45% of radiologists who were not connected to a teleradiology company resorted to teleradiology. Radiology practices can opt for coverage of a fixed portion of their projected volume internally and depend on teleradiology firms or business-to-business and spot-market radiologist hires to take the additional cases, thereby lowering the fixed labor costs. In the pre-COVID-19 phase, numerous radiologists were already using home PACS workstations. Another survey published in the Journal of American College of Radiology indicated that before the COVID-19 outbreak, teleradiology had only been utilized for call as well as overnight shifts. After the pandemic outbreak, more and more practices have been installing home workstations and switching daytime shifts to their internal teleradiology. 

The leading companies in the sector include viz., Teleradiology Solutions, Philips Healthcare, USRAD Holdings, Inc., MEDNAX, Everlight Radiology, ONRAD, Inc., AGFA Healthcare, RAMSOFT, Inc., Telediagnostic Solutions PVT. LTD., and CARESTREAM HEALTH, Inc. Recently, in June, MEDNAX, the Floride-based company, announced that it was selling its Radiology Solutions business line and change its name to the previous ‘Pediatrix Medical Group.’ 

Increasing Focus on Vehicle Safety and Connectivity and Policies Governing Vehicle Telematics are Expected to Propel the Growth of the Automotive Telematics Market.

With the rising number of private vehicles, the surging demand for tech-savvy automobiles, and the advent of autonomous vehicles, vehicle safety has become more important than ever. Something as revolutionary as a self-driving car needs to come with a promise of error-free driving for a customer to trust and invest in the technology. Automotive telematics is a massive and growing industry focused on collecting mobility-related information, particularly from private and commercial vehicles, and developing wide-ranging services catering to both individuals and companies. These services include info-mobility services, information systems to support car insurance, and ad hoc investigation for planning purposes, among others. Automotive telematics encompasses the applications of multimedia entertainment, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, wireless connectivity, and automatic driving assistance systems.

Vehicle insurance has also become a key focus of buyers, virtually an appendage to the vehicle. A growing segment within the automotive telematics sector is insurance telematics, and Millenials might be a major reason behind this growth. There is an evident shift in car purchasing trends, wherein Millenials constitute a substantial portion of car buyers, and it might have a considerable impact on the industry. For instance, usage-based insurance options offer insurers new opportunities to accurately determine premium, price, and risk. These schemes can potentially identify risky drivers, allowing insurers to better estimate the price of their products while also giving the driver the chance to moderate their driving to make roads safer. However, in the case of usage-based insurance or pay-as-you-drive auto insurance, there is an apparent need for a more precise assessment of how driver behaiour affects the risk of an accident or an insurance claim. 

The increasing focus on vehicle safety and connectivity and the policies governing vehicle telematics are expected to propel the growth of the automotive telematics market. The overall improvement in vehicle performance and intelligence and road safety would also help the broader adoption of the technology. Nonetheless,  the general threats associated with data breach, the cost of installation, and an inadequate internet infrastructure might impede the growth of the market in the coming years. The leading companies in the automotive telematics industry include Cartrack, Harman International, I.D. Systems, Inc., Masternaut Limited, Omnitracs, Airbiquity Inc., Verizon, Trimble Inc., Mix Telematics, and Tomtom Telematics B.V.

The four main elements viz., safety, navigation, connectivity, and security that automotive telematics incorporates into one Smart, nearly-indestructible piece of technology, which has already revolutionized the way we look at driver, vehicle, and road safety, will boost market growth in the coming years.

Curiosity is a Key Element Driving Consumers to try Alternative Meats, Plant-Based Meats Which is Propelling the Alternative Protein Market

 For reasons ranging from health consciousness to environmental consciousness, there is a surge in consumer interest and awareness about alternative proteins across the globe. This demand is evident in regions that have relatively better economic stability among the populace or higher levels of disposable income. The alternative proteins trend has moved beyond being a fad. A January 2020 report by Food Insight found that curiosity is a key element driving consumers to try alternative meats, besides the nutritional facts of plant-based meats, which are considered healthier. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified consumer inclination towards healthier eating options.

A recent survey by Food Insight focused on the changes in the buying behavior of customers post-COVID-19. The survey reported that in June 2020, 39% of the survey takers were focusing on eating healthier, and over 30% of the poll takers were spending on groceries based on the healthfulness of the food item in August 2020, while a net decline was continued to be seen by fast food or quick service eateries. This growing consumer inclination towards incorporating a healthy diet, mainly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, would be a major driver for the growth of the market. Moreover, with the increasing popularity of dietary regimes, such as veganism, alternative proteins are attracting more consumers looking for nutritional substitutes that accommodate their preferences. Legislations in support of labeling alternative proteins, like the Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully Act of 2019 or the “Real MEAT Act,” are also expected to benefit the market in the coming years.

The leading companies in the alternative proteins space are Cargill Incorporated, Roquette Frères Le Romain, The Archer Daniels Midland Company, Kerry Inc., Royal Avebe UA, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Corbion NV, Ingredion Incorporated, Glanbia PLC, and Tate & Lyle PLC. Plant-based meat makers like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have grown exponentially to establish a leading position in the emerging domain. Beyond Meat recently inked an agreement with Jiaxing Economic & Technological Development Zone (JXEDZ) to build manufacturing facilities in the zone and a state-of-the-art facility to produce plant-based meat products, including pork, chicken, and beef, under the Beyond Meat brand in China. A leading casual dining chain in the U.S., TGI Fridays, has also partnered with Beyond Meat to use Beyond Beef for new proprietary items in its chili menu.

Green Boy Group, a supplier of organic ingredients, recently launched the Plant-Meat Protein powder developed for plant-based meat substitutes. It is available in different variants with protein derived from mung bean, pea, chickpea, or fava bean and can be used to make textured plant-based proteins (TPP) either in the form of granule or crisp. Growing investments in alternative proteins, existing companies trying to optimize their product offerings, and conventional meat companies seeking to penetrate the alternative meats sphere will propel the market growth in the following years.

Research Fundings from Governments Worldwide Have Played an Instrumental Role In Driving The Growth Of The Single Cell Sequencing Market

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Single CellSequencing is a next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique primarily used to analyze the variations in protein and genetic information between cells to extract genetic data on microorganisms, which are otherwise challenging to cultivate at the individual cell level and to comprehend their particular roles in the micro-environment better. Research studies in the field of single cell sequencing focus on a wide array of applications right from immunotherapy, neurobiology, and cancer treatment to, in the latest feat, COVID-19.

A group of MIT researchers recently found a way to recover information through single cell sequencing. The team used a modified version of the Seq-Well technique, which gave them the capacity to extract ten times more information from each cell in a given sample. The increased information extraction resulting from the novel approach would help researchers gain more knowledge about the gene expression in each cell and help them find subtle yet critical variations between healthy cells and dysfunctional cells.

The leading companies in the industry include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 10x Genomics Inc., Becton, Dickinson & Company, Illumina, Bio-Rad, Fludigim, BGI, F Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Qiagen, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. 10x Genomics recently announced the acquisition of the Boston-based ReadCoor, Inc.. The company’s second in situ sequencing takeover was valued at USD 350 million in cash and stock consideration. It had previously announced the acquisition of Cartana, the  Stockholm-based developer of in situ RNA analysis technology, in August. 

In situ methods allow researchers to measure a colossal number of molecules directly through the precise location of the molecule at sub-cellular resolution. The newly-acquired capabilities might complement 10x Genomics Chromium Single Cell and Visium Spatial platforms and help the company establish the foundation for its third tech platform, widening its consumer base and facilitating the new translational as well as clinical applications.

The most relevant development recently pertains to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome in the transmission of the infection have remained unclear. A team of University of Chicago researchers has used a new approach, a technique named FD-seq, which is a high-throughput single cellsequencing approach to sequence single cells applicable for paraformaldehyde (PFA) treatment. 

The team examined the immune response of human lung cells infected by coronavirus OC43, a virus belonging to the same family as SARS-CoV-2, which causes the common cold, which has been used successfully in drug discovery to prevent the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Mining this ‘biological bitcoin’ could have inestimable benefits, and the worth of genetic information will continue to be a major driver for the growth of the single cell sequencing market.  However, the costs of it might also be similarly prohibitive for most consumers, impeding its accessibility and, subsequently, its growth.

Increasing Interest in Pharmaceutical Applications of Gene Editing is Boosting the Growth of the Gene Editing Market

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The emergence of versatile gene editing technologies in recent years has enabled researchers to economically and seamlessly introduce sequence-specific modifications into genomes of a wide range of organisms and cell types. Some of the prevalent core technologies in the field are transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), homing endonucleases or meganucleases, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs).

In the past few years, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has been in focus for the precision of the gene edits carried out in the procedure and some extremely charged patent disputes. The field is now progressing swiftly, with several start-ups aiming to leverage the CRISPR ‘molecular scissors’ commercially. Even though CRISPR’s application scope is fairly extensive, it is not surprising that most companies are exploring its pharmaceutical applications, particularly pertaining to immunology, cancer, and rare diseases. The technology promises cures, either by editing cells in the body or by engineering cells isolated from the body before restoring them. Earlier this year, Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex announced a joint effort to work on CTX001, an investigational ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing procedure for patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia (TDT). The two organizations recently announced that the gene-edited therapy was granted the Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

This increasing interest in pharmaceutical applications of gene editing is boosting the growth of the market; however, recent developments in the sector have also raised some concerns. Back in 2015, researchers conducted the first experiment to modify human embryos, which kickstarted further investigation into human genome editing. A recent series of experiments published on bioRxiv has raised some safety concerns about DNA changes and on-target complexities following CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. The field demands much more investigation before it can be scaled. Since CRISPR is a prominent contributor to the overall revenue of the gene editing industry, unfavorable research findings might hinder the growth of the gene editing market for a few years. 

Other leading companies operating in the market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lonza, GenScript, Vigene Biosciences, Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Genecopoeia, Calyxt, Editas Medicine, EpiGenie, and Editas Medicine. Intellia Therapeutics is also a company working on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop genome editing treatments to cure genetic diseases. U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has just given the green light to a Phase 1 clinical trial for Intellia’s NTLA-2001 gene therapy for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN). With companies investing and exploring further into the applications of gene editing, the market is expected to exhibit significant research-backed growth in the coming years.

Silicon Photonics Market Growth is Driven by High Volume Production at Low Costs by Leveraging CMOS-like Fabrication

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Silicon had dominated the electronics sector for several decades before it became a potential material of choice across the photonics industry. Silicon photonics took off back in 2004, boosted by industry and governmental investments. After a series of breakthroughs and rising investments, silicon photonics is now considered the most active discipline in the integrated photonics field. Silicon, as a photonic material, does have some shortcomings. It is not an ideal material in its basic form; thus, numerous research projects have, in the past decade, addressed this and other such concerns, and with time, novel solutions are being formulated. 

Recently, Laura Lechuga, an OSA Fellow, and her team at Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Spain, were awarded the European Union funding for developing a point-of-care (PoC) nanophotonic biosensor that can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 infection. The group has been using up to 20 biosensors on a chip to design silicon photonics devices.

The key element driving the adoption of the silicon photonics market is the high-volume production at low costs it offers by leveraging CMOS-like fabrication. It has played a major role in bringing photonics to a wide array of technology sectors, wherein the cost of implementation would have been too high when using traditional photonic elements like the ones employed in the telecommunications industry.  The field of silicon photonics has also gained traction because it enables the making of optical devices inexpensively through semiconductor fabrication technology. 

Significant factors propelling the silicon photonics market forward are the surging demand from data centers for cloud computing and the escalating usage of internet. Government initiatives to push the adoption of online transactions and e-banking would also be beneficial for the adoption of the silicon photonics market in the future. Even with these drivers fostering market growth, challenges such as the advent of alternative technologies and high-volume markets might create some hurdles in the widespread implementation of the technology.

The leading companies in the industry include AIO Core Co. Ltd, Cisco Systems, Inc., Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., IBM Corporation, Infinera Corporation, Intel Corporation, IPG Photonics Corporation, Mellanox Technologies Ltd, NKT Photonics, and STMicroelectronics NV. This month, Rockley Photonics closed an additional USD 50 million funding round from VCs, institutional funds, and strategic investors, including Applied Ventures, the VC wing of Applied Materials, and Credit Suisse-backed SIG-i, along with the current shareholders. The latest round brought Rockley’s total funds raised to USD 225 million, allotted to developing its silicon photonics platform. 

Both existing and emerging companies are striving to optimize the potential of the technology and get a competitive edge in the silicon photonics industry. Photonics-based computing requires less energy and is also able to transfer data much faster than traditional techniques and will help market growth, although manufacturing costs of silicon integrated circuits with embedded photonic elements can be prohibitive, which poses a substantial challenge. 

Increasing Investment in the Study of Patterned or Organized Molecular Films to Propel Nanofilms Industry Growth

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Nanofilms can be described as thin layers of material, with thickness ranging between a fraction of a nanometer and several micrometers. These films are an atomic-thick frontier with their surroundings, where most of the physicochemical processes take place. The largest class of these nanofilms comprise of a stack of multiple layers that have opposite charge, wherein the states’ density is restricted to a 2D arrangement, and quantum coupling among multiple layers moderate the properties of the assembled multilayer. The most prominent method to deposit functional thin films is the layer-on-layer deposition. Several approaches to deposit single layers include spin coating, immersion, electromagnetic deposition, spraying, and fluidic assembly.

Nanofilms Market

The market growth is being propelled by the increasing investment in the study of patterned or organized molecular films in nanostructures by looking at the assembly of quantum dots measured in nanometers. There are a plethora of new projects exploring the different applications of this technology for different purposes by both academia as well as companies, which would widen the application scope of nanofilms further, simultaneously boosting market growth and expansion. For instance, a group of material scientists from the National University of Science and Technology MISiS has used boron nitride to create antibacterial nano-coatings that work efficiently against microbial pathogens. They might become a safe alternative to antibiotics typically used in implantology as they have no side effects. Researchers from the University of Houston have recently introduced a medical robotic hand made with stretchable semiconducting nanofilms that can allow medical professionals to diagnose and treat patients remotely, with optimal accuracy and a diminished margin of human error. Hybrid nanofilms might be a crucial addition as topical anesthetics to dentistry procedures to make them pain-free.

Some of the leading players in the industry are Nanofilm, Nano Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., Cosmo Films Limited, Nano Foam Technology Private Limited, Cosmo Films Ltd Smart Source Technologies, Advanced Thin Film, MetaTechnica, NanoGram Corporation, Maxtek Technology, MetaTechnica, and Nano Labs. In recent years, the nanofilms market has witnessed established companies investing in keeping up with the evolution in the technology and newer players emerging with innovative products that broaden the scope of its applications. 

In April, earlier this year, Peak Nanosystems LLC, a Coppell-based start-up working with nanotech, closed its Series C round with funds amounting to USD 25 Million from Connecticut-based Squadron Capital. The company planned to allocate the funds towards acquiring PolymerPlus, an Ohio-based Multilayered Polymer Products & Research Company, and expanding its own in-house optical product development. PolymerPlus has developed technology for film capacitors and optics, which can be launched next year. By acquiring the company, Peak Nanosystems acquired the rights to this particular tech and the IP on board nanolayered film that has been fabricated at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. 

Scientific and Technological Advancements will Open New Avenues For Quantum Cascade Laser Market

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Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) operate from MIR (mid-infrared) range to terahertz. The fingerprint region of the MIR range is vital in the field of spectroscopy. Unlike other technologies, like the FTIR spectroscopy, wherein the sample is simultaneously exposed to the entire available wavelength, QCL gives the option of tuning it to individual wavelengths, enabling alternative modes of operation. QCL operates at speeds and wavelength accuracy that are significantly better than that of FTIR. 

Terahertz lasers are being studied profusely owing to their ability to penetrate ubiquitous packaging materials like fabrics, cardboard, and plastics, and can also help detect and identify a variety of chemicals as well as biomolecular species. They even work for imaging of several kinds of biological tissue, as they also do not cause any damage. To unlock their full potential, it was necessary to enhance their brightness and intensity, which can be accomplished by increasing the beam quality and power output. A recent study by a team from Lehigh University found a simple yet efficient way to increase the power output of single-mode by employing a novel kind of “distributed-feedback” mechanism. It was a major breakthrough in the field and garnered a lot of attention for QCLs. The scientific and technological advancements will open new avenues for the market, propelling its growth in the future. 

Even with their extensive use as a semiconductor laser and in collision avoidance radar, industrial process control LIDAR, and automotive cruise control, ever-changing consumer demands and cost of QCLs might impede the adoption rate, thereby hindering the growth of the market. The leading companies in the market are well-equipped with large manufacturing facilities and are investing in research & development activities. Some of the prominent QCL players are Alpes Lasers SA, Emerson Electric Corporation, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Mirsense, Wavelength Electronics, Inc., Akela Laser Corporation, Block MEMS, Thorlabs, Inc., Nanoplus Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH, and Adtech Optics.

Swiss company Alpes Lasers recently announced that it is working with on a new laser-based sensor to detect traces of toxic substances in wastewater in collaboration with some a team of European scientists. Researchers from the company have teamed up with academic institutes and oil industry partners to develop an ultrafast sensor capable of detecting the “tiniest concentrations” of suspended solids and oil in wastewater with Frequency Comb Quantum Cascade Lasers. The broadening application scope of the technology is attracting companies to invest in new projects and will foster the growth of the market across the globe.