Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim Deepen Partnership to Advance MASH Diagnosis and Treatment

PARIS, June 10, 2025 — The global health community is increasingly concerned about the escalating prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe liver disease affecting over 250 million people worldwide. This concern has prompted Echosens, a leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, and Boehringer Ingelheim, a renowned biopharmaceutical company, to deepen their collaboration. Their joint efforts aim to alter the trajectory of MASH by prioritizing early detection and improving patient access to care.

By combining their expertise in diagnostics and therapeutics, Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim hope to bridge significant gaps in awareness, practical application, and clinical acceptance. Their partnership will focus on several key initiatives: increasing awareness about MASH among medical professionals, patients, and policymakers; promoting the implementation of efficient care pathways through cross-specialty collaboration; and enhancing the reach and understanding of non-invasive technologies (NITs). These efforts will include scientific partnerships to build evidence supporting the use of NITs in managing MASH patients.

Sandy Sommer, Head of the Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Therapeutic Area at Boehringer Ingelheim, emphasized the urgent need to confront liver disease due to the rising global obesity rates, which are closely linked to MASH. Sommer stated that no single organization can tackle these interconnected chronic issues alone and expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership with Echosens, aiming to bring transformative changes in metabolic health for patients and healthcare systems globally.

MASH is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat and inflammation in the liver, predominantly affecting individuals with obesity. If left untreated, it can lead to severe outcomes such as cirrhosis and liver failure. The disease often remains undetected in its early stages, with fewer than 20% of affected individuals receiving a formal diagnosis. This underscores the critical need for scalable, non-invasive screening tools and ongoing patient care.

Echosens' FibroScan® technology plays a pivotal role in Boehringer Ingelheim's research into liver diseases. It provides a rapid, painless, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to liver biopsies, supporting two ongoing Survodutide Phase III trials. Survodutide, which combines GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonists, is a promising new treatment for MASH and related metabolic disorders like obesity. Licensed from Zealand Pharma, Survodutide is a part of Boehringer Ingelheim's extensive research and development portfolio in the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease sectors.

Dominique Legros, CEO of Echosens, expressed excitement about the expanded collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, recognizing the potential impact of their innovative approach on the MASH treatment landscape. He highlighted the partnership as a reflection of Echosens' commitment to supporting the global liver disease community by facilitating advanced clinical trials and expanding access to non-invasive diagnostic tools. Legros welcomed Boehringer Ingelheim to their shared mission of improving liver health outcomes.

Echosens has revolutionized liver assessment with its FibroScan® technology, which is globally recognized and validated by over 5,384 peer-reviewed publications and 218 international guidelines. Available in 127 countries, FibroScan® has enabled millions of liver examinations, significantly impacting liver health management worldwide.

Boehringer Ingelheim, founded in 1885, is an independent biopharmaceutical company dedicated to human and animal health. It ranks among the industry's top investors in research and development, focusing on innovative therapies for areas with high unmet medical needs. With more than 54,500 employees across 130 markets, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to building a healthier, sustainable, and equitable future.

This collaboration between Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim marks a significant step forward in the fight against MASH, promising a more proactive approach to liver disease management and patient care globally.