Siemens Healthineers, Boehringer team up on blood-based liver screening

Siemens Healthineers Korea said Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Boehringer Ingelheim Korea to promote liver health management among patients with obesity and metabolic diseases through blood biomarker-based screening.

Under the agreement, signed Thursday, the companies will work together to raise awareness of the clinical importance of liver health, develop blood biomarker-based screening pathways, provide scientific education and generate clinical evidence.

Liver health is considered a key component of overall metabolic health in patients with obesity and metabolic diseases because of the close links among cardiovascular, kidney, liver and metabolic conditions.

Officials from Siemens Healthineers Korea and Boehringer Ingelheim Korea pose for a photo at the signing ceremony for their memorandum of understanding on blood biomarker-based liver health management. (Courtesy of Siemens Healthineers Korea)

The companies will conduct disease awareness activities highlighting the importance of liver health in these patients and collaborate on educational and academic programs to improve healthcare professionals' understanding of the assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

The partnership will place particular emphasis on blood biomarkers and evidence generation. The companies plan to explore the scientific and clinical value of blood biomarkers related to MASLD and ways to improve screening pathways and patient care pathways in health screening and clinical settings.

Other areas of cooperation include scientific education for healthcare professionals on blood biomarkers and diagnostic imaging, generating clinical and real-world evidence on MASLD-related blood biomarkers, and collaboration on metabolic and liver health and women's health during midlife.

“This agreement marks a meaningful starting point for raising awareness of the clinical importance of liver health in patients with obesity and metabolic diseases and building related evidence based on blood biomarkers and diagnostic technologies,” said Lee Myung-gyun, president and CEO of Siemens Healthineers Korea. “Through scientific education and research collaboration, we will contribute to creating a more effective environment for liver health screening.”

Anna-Maria Boie, general manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Korea, stressed the importance of early detection and evidence-based management for patients with metabolic diseases.

“Through this agreement, we hope to expand evidence on blood biomarkers and real-world data in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and contribute to creating a more patient-centered management environment,” Boie said. “We will also continue meaningful collaboration in midlife metabolic and liver health and women's health by drawing on the expertise of both companies.”