Partnership brings FibroScan® into Gastro Health's enterprise approach to liver health, supporting earlier identification, risk stratification and management of patients with metabolic liver disease
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Echosens, the global leader in non-invasive liver assessment, today with Gastro Health, one of the nation's largest gastroenterology medical groups, announced a strategic partnership to advance the identification and management of patients at risk for metabolic liver disease.
"Liver health is becoming an increasingly important part of how we identify and manage patients with metabolic disease, and gastroenterologists are uniquely positioned to help lead that care," said Alan Oliver, CEO of Gastro Health. "As we looked to expand our approach across the organization, we felt that Echosens brings an established technology, deep clinical experience and the support needed to help us scale while maintaining a physician-led approach to how we identify, risk-stratify and manage patients."
Through the partnership, Gastro Health will integrate FibroScan® into its broader approach to liver and metabolic health. The fast, non-invasive assessment provides objective information about liver stiffness and steatosis at the point of care, helping physicians identify risk, determine appropriate next steps and monitor patients over time. FibroScan is widely recognized as the only point-of-care imaging-based non-invasive test (NIT) uniformly endorsed with major international guideline support as well as universal insurance coverage, supporting access for patients across care settings.
The collaboration is part of a broader effort by Gastro Health to build a more systematic, enterprise-wide approach to liver disease management across its physician network. By combining clinical expertise, research, real-world evidence and data analytics from Gastro Health with Echosens' 25-year track record in non-invasive liver assessment, clinically validated FibroScan technology and experience supporting liver health programs at scale, the organizations aim to make liver assessment more accessible, efficient and actionable for patients and physicians.
Bringing Non-Invasive Liver Assessment into Routine Care
As new therapies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) enter the market, identifying appropriate patients and understanding fibrosis risk are becoming increasingly important across the continuum of care. FibroScan brings non-invasive liver assessment directly into the clinical setting, using vibration-controlled transient elastography to measure liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) to assess hepatic steatosis.
Reflecting the growing role of this technology in clinical practice, AASLD guidance identifies VCTE® elastography system as a preferred tool for secondary fibrosis risk assessment and CAP as a primary tool to identify and semi-quantify hepatic steatosis at the point of care.
FibroScan also brings the most established evidence base in non-invasive liver assessment, with its technology evaluated and cited across thousands of peer-reviewed studies. This depth of clinical evidence supports its use for patient identification, risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring, while helping physicians obtain actionable liver health information without immediately turning to more costly and invasive procedures such as liver biopsy.
"FibroScan provides a practical, evidence-based way for physicians to bring objective liver health assessment directly into the clinical setting," said Jon Gingrich, CEO of Echosens North America. "We are proud to partner with Gastro Health as they build a scalable, physician-led approach to liver and metabolic health. Their commitment to integrating non-invasive liver assessment into routine care has the potential to create meaningful value for both physicians and patients."
Supporting Efficient Clinical Workflows and a Better Patient Experience
FibroScan is designed to integrate into existing clinical workflows, providing rapid results at the point of care without the procedural burden associated with invasive liver biopsy. This allows physicians to obtain actionable information about liver health while minimizing disruption to the patient's care journey.
By integrating liver assessment into the gastroenterology setting, Gastro Health is poised to create a more streamlined pathway from evaluation to clinical decision-making, treatment, monitoring or referral when appropriate. Bringing these capabilities together within the practice can help reduce fragmentation and support a more coordinated approach.
For patients, this means liver health can be evaluated as part of their broader digestive and metabolic care as opposed to through a separate diagnostic pathway. "Patients with obesity, diabetes and other metabolic risk factors frequently have an increased risk of liver disease, yet it often goes undiagnosed until later stages," said Dr. Jose Lavergne, Medical Director of Clinical Quality at Gastro Health. "Having access to non-invasive liver assessment within the gastroenterology setting gives physicians another important tool to identify risk earlier, educate patients and determine the most appropriate next steps."
Connecting Clinical Care, Research and Real-World Evidence
The partnership also supports Gastro Health's physician-led clinical research strategy, which includes studies in liver disease, MASH, diagnostic tools and emerging treatment approaches.
Integrating non-invasive liver assessment into routine care creates a unique opportunity to connect clinical practice with longitudinal data, real-world evidence generation and research initiatives. As MASH therapies continue to advance, FibroScan's role as a foundational NIT becomes increasingly important. When combined with Gastro Health's research ambitions, this creates a compelling framework for understanding disease progression, treatment response and long-term outcomes at scale.
A Scalable Model for Liver and Metabolic Health
The partnership reflects a broader shift in gastroenterology toward integrating liver health more fully into comprehensive metabolic care. By bringing together physician expertise, clinical research and data capabilities, and now, leading non-invasive technology, Gastro Health is taking a forward-looking approach to building a more systematic model for identifying, assessing and managing liver disease across its network.
"Healthcare is moving toward earlier identification and more personalized management of metabolic disease, and Gastro Health is helping lead that evolution," added Gingrich. "Building a program at this scale requires more than technology alone. It requires a partner with the clinical foundation, resources and organizational strength to support physicians over the long term. With over two decades of experience advancing non-invasive liver assessment and an extensive body of clinical evidence behind FibroScan, Echosens is well positioned to support Gastro Health as it builds for the future."
About Echosens
A pioneer in its field, Echosens significantly changed the practice of liver assessment with FibroScan®, the non-invasive solution for comprehensive management of liver health. FibroScan® is recognized worldwide and validated by more than 6,200 peer-reviewed publications, including nearly 250 international guidelines. https://www.echosens.com/
About Gastro Health
Gastro Health is one of the leading gastroenterology platforms in the United States supporting practices in Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington – with over 350 physicians and 150 locations consisting of medical offices, infusion centers, imaging services, and a specialty pharmacy. Additionally, Gastro Health owns and operates endoscopy centers in five of the seven states and operates pathology and anesthesia services. Gastro Health strives to provide outstanding medical care and an exceptional healthcare experience. The Gastro Health care teams utilize technology, clinical expertise, and compassionate care to provide a personalized approach to digestive health and overall wellness. Learn more at GastroHealth.com.
SOURCE Echosens
Share this article