Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim Expand Collaboration to Enhance MASH Diagnosis
Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim: A New Era in MASH Diagnosis
In a significant development in the medical field, Echosens, a leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, and Boehringer Ingelheim, a global biopharmaceutical company, have announced the expansion of their partnership aimed at addressing the escalating issue of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASH). With MASH being one of the most underdiagnosed and dangerous contributors to liver failure, affecting over 250 million individuals globally, this partnership is set to transform the current trajectory of the disease.
Understanding MASH
MASH, characterized by excessive fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, is prevalent among individuals with obesity. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately liver failure. What makes MASH particularly concerning is its asymptomatic nature in its early stages, resulting in less than 20% of affected individuals receiving a formal diagnosis. This highlights an urgent need for scalable and non-invasive tools to detect and manage patients effectively.
The Expanded Collaboration
The newly strengthened collaboration between Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim aims to bridge gaps in knowledge, practical evidence, and clinical adoption. Key areas of focus include:
1. Raising Awareness: Increasing awareness about MASH among patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers is a primary goal. The two companies recognize the critical need for early detection and diagnosis to manage this chronic disease effectively.
2. Optimizing Healthcare Pathways: The partnership will promote optimized care pathways by fostering collaboration among healthcare organizations and medical specialties. Effective communication and cooperation will be essential for better patient outcomes.
3. Improving Access to Non-Invasive Technologies: There will be an emphasis on enhancing awareness and access to non-invasive technologies (NIT), including scientific collaborations to build evidence regarding NIT's role in managing MASH patients.
As Sandy Sommer, the Therapeutic Area Head for Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic at Boehringer Ingelheim, stated, “For too long, serious liver diseases like MASH have gone unnoticed. Given the alarming rise in MASH cases alongside the global obesity epidemic, it is time to directly address liver diseases.” She emphasized the interconnectedness of obesity and MASH and reiterated their commitment to being part of the solution.
The Role of FibroScan®
Echosens’s flagship product, FibroScan®, a non-invasive hepatic assessment technology, has been integral to Boehringer Ingelheim’s liver disease research. FibroScan® supports ongoing Phase III trials of Survodutide, which aims to screen and monitor patients. This quick, painless, cost-effective, and scalable test is a promising alternative to traditional liver biopsies.
Survodutide combines GLP-1 receptor agonists and glucagon as a novel potential treatment for MASH and associated metabolic diseases, including obesity. This collaborative effort is a testament to Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment to advancing treatments in areas with a significant medical need.
Looking Ahead
Dominique Legros, CEO of Echosens, expressed enthusiasm regarding the expanded partnership, highlighting its potential to further enhance the therapeutic landscape for MASH. “This alliance reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the global liver disease community by facilitating more efficient clinical trials and broader access to non-invasive diagnostic tools,” he stated.
As both companies embark on this journey together, they look forward to driving transformative changes in metabolic health for patients, healthcare practitioners, and health systems worldwide. Their shared mission is to improve liver health outcomes, ensuring that diseases like MASH do not remain undetected and untreated, ultimately fostering a healthier future for millions.
About Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim
Echosens pioneered the field of hepatic evaluation with FibroScan®, a globally recognized non-invasive solution for comprehensive liver health management. The technology has been validated through over 5,384 peer-reviewed publications and has a presence in over 127 countries, facilitating millions of liver exams worldwide. On the other hand, Boehringer Ingelheim, an independent company since its inception in 1885, actively invests in human and animal health, focusing on innovative therapies in unmet medical needs. Their long-term perspective integrates sustainability throughout their value chain, with over 54,500 employees operating in over 130 markets.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim marks an important step forward in addressing MASH. By expanding their partnership, they aim to create a lasting impact on patient health and advance the understanding and management of this critical metabolic disease.