Investor Presentation
Respiratory Diagnostics Market Overview
CT Technology
Sensitive, but expensive and
high radiation dose
Overview
Invented in 1971, computed
tomography (CT) technology is
considered the current gold
standard in lung diagnostic
testing. The number three lung
diagnostic in the USA with 10.9m
tests performed in 2019 (14.7% of
all lung diagnostic procedures).
Average Estimated Cost*
US$525
Advantages:
.
•
3D image can't miss
features
Sensitive
=
High-resolution detail of
images
Limitations:
•
•
•
•
•
100
Hight Cost: 4x an X-ray
High radiation dose: 70x an X-ray (7
mSv; real cancer risk)
High rate of false positives (~95% in
NLCST vs 3% mortality for surgery)
Structural only
Requires highly skilled radiologist to
infer function from lung structure
Very high rate of utilization (low
rate of availability)
Nuclear Medicine
Capability to measure ventilation
and perfusion, but significant
limitations
Overview
Invented in 1963, the ventilation-
perfusion scan is a nuclear medicine
scan that uses dual radioactive agents
(radiopharmaceuticals) to examine
airflow (ventilation) and blood flow
(perfusion) in the lungs. The number
four lung diagnostic in USA with 780k
tests performed in 2019 (1.1% of all
lung diagnostic procedures).
Average Estimated Cost*
VQ Scan: US$1,503
Advantages:
•
Perfusion analysis
capability
Only modality that can
identify ventilation/
perfusion mismatch
Importance in treating
pulmonary embolism &
pulmonary hypertension
25-26
27-28
29-30
31-32
45-46
Sagittal
47-48
49-50
51-52
Limitations:
High cost, poor resolution of outputs
Testing takes 1 hour to complete
Use of dual radioactive particulate
contrast agents raises toxicity
concerns especially for those with
pulmonary hypertension
Expensive testing equipment needed
Complex to administer, requires
expert analysis, onerous
safety precautions
*Frost & Sullivan 2020.
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