Demand for Endoscopy Devices in Asia Driven by Aging Populations 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the over 60 global population will double from 11% to 22% between 2000 and 2050. One of the diseases that elderly populations are more prone to are gastrointestinal diseases. This problem is driving the need for endoscopic devices. Typically, doctors and elderly patients prefer minimally invasive surgeries. Other factors that are increasing the demand for endoscopy procedures include increasing prevalence of obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).

The leading Asian countries to experience a rise in geriatric populations include Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. Thus there is an increased need for endoscopic devices such as flexible and rigid endoscopes, and endoscopy visualization systems. In these Asian countries, major competitors in the endoscopy device market include Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Olympus Corporation. Smaller companies that have recently found success in Asia include EndoChoice, based near Atlanta, Georgia. In early 2016, EndoChoice entered an agreement with medical device distributor Chindex to sell the Full Spectrum Endoscopy System in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Asia is a key international region for EndoChoice, and the company hopes to continue expanding into the APAC region.