Apollo Hospitals and Siemens Healthineers have announced a strategic research collaboration to develop artificial intelligence-enabled diagnostic and imaging solutions for liver disease management in India. The partnership focuses on addressing the growing burden of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), previously known as NAFLD, through advanced AI-driven clinical tools and quantitative ultrasound imaging technologies.
Addressing India's Growing Liver Disease Burden
According to Government of India data, MASLD affects between 9% and 32% of the Indian population, representing a significant public health challenge. The condition is particularly prevalent among individuals with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-2016) indicates that 18-20% of Indian adults are overweight or obese, while 3-8% have abnormal blood sugar levels, creating a substantial at-risk population.
The disease burden extends beyond liver complications, as MASLD is linked to increased cardiovascular risk, with heart disease remaining the leading cause of death in India. This interconnected health challenge underscores the critical need for early detection and effective management strategies.
AI-Driven Innovation for Early Detection
The research collaboration spans the development of quantitative ultrasound imaging and AI-driven clinical tools designed to support early detection, risk stratification, and monitoring of liver diseases. The initiative combines Apollo Hospitals' clinical expertise with Siemens Healthineers' technical capabilities to address current diagnostic and monitoring challenges in liver disease care.
"Our collaboration with Siemens Healthineers is a transformative step in using AI to redefine non-invasive diagnostics for liver disease," said Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director at Apollo Hospitals. "Due to diagnostic challenges and the evolving understanding of the disease, the true prevalence of MASLD may be underestimated that poses a significant public health challenge, requiring increased awareness, early detection, and effective management strategies."
Focus on Fibrosis Detection and Clinical Decision Support
The partnership emphasizes the development of AI-driven disease progression models that will play a pivotal role in early detection of liver fibrosis. These models are designed to enable timely interventions, cost-effective screening, and improved patient outcomes while facilitating precision population health strategies and clinical decision support across care settings.
"AI-driven disease progression models shall play a pivotal role in early detection of fibrosis, allowing timely interventions, cost-effective screening, and improved patient outcomes," Dr. Reddy explained. "This model shall also facilitate precision population health strategies and clinical decision support across care settings."
Technical Implementation and Future Outlook
Hariharan Subramanian, Managing Director at Siemens Healthcare, emphasized the importance of advanced diagnostic technologies in addressing India's liver disease burden. "We believe that advanced technologies will aid timely and precise diagnosis, leading to better disease management and improving the quality of life for patients," he stated. "Our joint effort will help address the unmet needs in liver disease diagnosis and treatment."
The collaboration was formalized through a Master Research Agreement (MRA) established in March 2025, following a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding. An addendum to the MRA was signed on July 23, 2025, in Hyderabad, laying the groundwork for collaborative research focused on diagnostic and interventional ultrasound imaging for liver care.
The partnership represents Apollo Hospitals' broader vision to embed intelligent systems across the clinical spectrum that enable faster, more accurate diagnoses and proactive patient management, positioning the collaboration as a significant step toward transforming liver disease care in India through AI-enabled healthcare solutions.
