#USA #Paris #Boehringer Ingelheim #MASH #Echosens

Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim Join Forces to Combat MASH

In a significant development in the healthcare sector, Echosens, a leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, and Boehringer Ingelheim, a global biopharmaceutical company, have announced the expansion of their historic partnership aimed at accelerating advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). This condition is increasingly recognized as one of the most dangerous and underdiagnosed causes of liver failure, affecting more than 250 million people worldwide.

As the prevalence of MASH rises alongside the global obesity epidemic, urgent action is required to address chronic liver diseases that have often been overlooked until now. Sandy Sommer, the therapeutic area lead for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases at Boehringer Ingelheim, remarked, "For too long, severe liver diseases like MASH have gone unnoticed. It is imperative that we face these health issues head-on." The collaboration seeks to address crucial gaps in awareness, concrete evidence, and clinical adoption regarding the condition.

The Goals of the Expanded Partnership

The next phase of this partnership will focus on three key areas:
1. Raising Awareness: Increasing education and awareness about MASH among patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers, emphasizing the urgent need for early screening and diagnosis.
2. Streamlining Care Pathways: Encouraging the adoption of simplified care pathways that promote collaboration across healthcare organizations and medical specialties to ensure patients receive timely interventions.
3. Enhancing Access to Non-Invasive Technologies: Expanding the awareness and access to non-invasive technologies (NIT), supporting scientific partnerships to generate evidence associated with NIT in the management of MASH.

FibroScan®, Echosens's cutting-edge non-invasive liver assessment technology, has been instrumental in Boehringer Ingelheim's liver disease research. Currently, FibroScan® supports two ongoing Phase III clinical trials for a promising new treatment, survodutide, which combines GLP-1 receptor agonists and glucagon to potentially address MASH and related metabolic conditions, including obesity.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of MASH is critical as the disease is often silent in its early stages; it's estimated that fewer than one in five individuals with MASH receive a formal diagnosis. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for scalable and non-invasive screening tools to identify affected patients and support them with continuous care. The integration of FibroScan® offers a quick, painless, and cost-effective alternative to liver biopsy, making it a valuable asset in managing liver health.

Dominique Legros, CEO of Echosens, expressed enthusiasm regarding the expanded collaboration, stating, "We are excited to broaden our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, whose innovative approach has the potential to further advance the therapeutic landscape of MASH." This collaboration embodies their shared commitment to supporting the global liver disease community, enabling smarter clinical trials and broader access to non-invasive diagnostic tools.

Information on Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim

Echosens is a pioneer in its field, significantly transforming liver assessment practices with FibroScan®, recognized worldwide for its efficacy. The technology is validated by over 5,384 peer-reviewed publications and adheres to 218 international guidelines, being available in over 127 countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim, founded in 1885, focuses on innovative therapies to meet significant medical needs, with a long-term sustainability perspective in its operations. With over 54,500 employees, the company strives to promote healthier futures across more than 130 markets globally.

Through this partnership, Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim aim to make drastic improvements in metabolic health, ultimately benefiting patients, healthcare providers, and health systems worldwide.