Apollo Hospitals and Siemens Healthineers have announced a research collaboration to develop AI-enabled diagnostic and imaging solutions for liver disease management. The partnership focuses on improving clinical pathways for conditions such as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), previously known as NAFLD, which is a growing public health concern in India.
The research programme 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 brings together the clinical expertise of Apollo Hospitals and the technical capabilities of Siemens Healthineers to address diagnostic and monitoring challenges in liver disease care.
According to the Government of India, MASLD affects between 9 per cent and 32 per cent of the population and is more common in individuals with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–2016) shows that 18–20 per cent of Indian adults are overweight or obese, and 3–8 per cent have abnormal blood sugar levels. MASLD is also linked to increased cardiovascular risk, with heart disease remaining the leading cause of death in the country.
Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director at Apollo Hospitals, said, “At Apollo, we believe that the future of healthcare lies at the intersection of clinical excellence and cutting-edge technology anchored in patient centricity. Our collaboration with Siemens Healthineers is a transformative step in using AI to redefine non-invasive diagnostics for liver disease. 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. 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. This model shall also facilitate precision population health strategies and clinical decision support across care settings. This partnership also reflects Apollo’s pioneering vision to embed intelligent systems across the clinical spectrum that predict faster, more accurate diagnoses and proactive patient management.”
Hariharan Subramanian, Managing Director at Siemens Healthcare, said, “Liver disease is a growing health concern in India; it’s crucial to prioritise early diagnosis and prevention through advanced diagnostic tools, lifestyle changes, and increased awareness to reverse this trend. We believe that advanced technologies will aid timely and precise diagnosis, leading to better disease management and improving the quality of life for patients. Our joint effort will help address the unmet needs in liver disease diagnosis and treatment, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership.”
The Master Research Agreement (MRA), established following a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding, was formalised in March 2025. An addendum to the MRA was signed on 23 July 2025 in Hyderabad, laying the groundwork for collaborative research focused on diagnostic and interventional ultrasound imaging for liver care.